Why learn Creole?
French-based Creoles are spoken by 10 to 15 million people across Haiti, the French Caribbean, Réunion, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Learning Creole means honoring a language born from resistance and resilience — and reconnecting with rich, deeply musical cultures.
Whether you are part of the diaspora or simply passionate about world languages, Dialect gives you the tools to progress quickly.
The Dialect Method
Our app combines playful learning with linguistic rigor:
- Essential vocabulary: learn the words most used in everyday life.
- Native audio: hear the exact pronunciation recorded by native speakers.
- Interactive quizzes: test your knowledge and track your progress.
- Review mode: never lose what you've already learned.
The Science Behind Dialect
To be among the best educational resources, Dialect builds on cognitive neuroscience principles:
- Spaced Repetition System (SRS): our algorithm calculates the optimal time to review each word, right before you would forget it.
- Pure auditory immersion: no synthetic voices. Every word is recorded by native speakers.
- Granular learning: we break dialects into manageable units to prevent cognitive overload.
Creole in a few facts
- Language family: French-based Creole language.
- Speakers: 10 to 15 million speakers across all varieties.
- Main regions: French Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe), Haiti (10-12 million, the largest community), Réunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, Louisiana and French Guiana.
- Writing systems: Latin alphabet with normalized orthographies that vary by island.
Haitian Creole has been officially recognized as a language of Haiti since 1987. Dialect covers four main varieties — Haitian, Guadeloupean, Martiniquan and Réunionese — which share much vocabulary and grammar but each retains a unique phonetic and lexical identity.
Essential Creole words
A handful of words to get started — each recorded in the app by a native speaker:
| English | Creole | Example |
|---|---|---|
| me | mwen | It's me |
| you | ou | Is that you? |
| him | li | He is here |
| her | li | She is here |
| we | nou | We are going out |
The Dialect app covers several hundred Creole words and expressions, organized by difficulty and theme.
How Dialect makes learning Creole easier
Learning a heritage language when you live in the diaspora has unique challenges: few structured resources, materials often aimed at linguists rather than daily learners, and a critical shortage of reliable audio recordings. Dialect was built to address these obstacles.
Specifically for Creole, the app provides:
- Progress by frequency of use: you first learn words and phrases you will actually hear.
- 100% native recordings: authentic accent from session one.
- Short sessions (5 cards a day): consistency beats intensity.
- Smart review: the spaced repetition algorithm presents each word right before you would forget it.
Hello, thank you and essential phrases in Creole
Looking to say hello in Creole, thank you or how are you? Here are the must-know greetings and polite phrases. Tap Listen to hear each one spoken by a native speaker:
| English | Creole | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjou | |
| Hi | Salut | |
| Thank you | Mèsi | |
| Yes | Wi | |
| No | Non | |
| Goodbye | Orvwa | |
| Sorry | Padon | |
| How are you | Ka ou fè? |
Audio recorded by native speakers. For full pronunciation, offline access and hundreds of words, download the Dialect app or open the web app on Android and desktop.
Frequently asked questions about learning Creole
How do you say hello in Creole?
In Creole, "hello" is "Bonjou". In casual settings you can also say "Salut". Hear the exact native pronunciation in the Dialect app.
How long does it take to learn the basics of Creole?
With Dialect, practicing 5 to 10 minutes a day, you can master essential Creole vocabulary in 4 to 6 weeks.
Is the Dialect app free?
Yes. Dialect is free with a daily session of 5 cards per language.
Is the Creole audio recorded by native speakers?
Yes, every word is recorded by native speakers from the relevant region.
Which Creole varieties does Dialect cover?
Dialect covers Haitian, Guadeloupean, Martiniquan and Réunionese Creoles.
Is Dialect available on Android?
Yes. On Android and on desktop, Dialect runs directly in your browser through the web app (mydialect.io/app): same languages, same native audio, same account. The native app is available on iPhone and iPad from the App Store.
In short: Why choose Dialect?
Dialect is the complete solution for learning Creole. It combines spaced repetition, 100% native audio recordings, and a mobile-optimized interface for fast mastery of everyday vocabulary.
Discover other languages on Dialect
Dialect offers 18 heritage languages to reconnect with your roots:
Start for free, today
Free daily session. On iPhone via the App Store, or straight in the browser on Android and desktop.
Scan with your iPhone
On Android or desktop?
Open the web application