Language

Cape Verde's official language is Portuguese, and the language of instruction in official schools. However, the Cape Verdean Crioulo languages are also widely spoken. These are a range of Portuguese-based creole languages, which vary considerably from island to island.

There is a substantial body of literature in these languages, especially in the Crioulo of Santiago (badiu) and the Crioulo of São Vicente (criol d' Soncent). The Crioulo languages have been gaining prestige since the nation's independence from Portugal, and there is a movement to make the variant of Santiago the official language of the country.

However, the substantial differences between the languages spoken in different islands, each with its traditional spelling system, has been a major obstacle in the way of this move. Some people have advocated the development of two normalized official languages: a North (Barlavento) standard, centred on the Crioulo of San Vicente, and a South (Sotavento) standard, centred on that of Santiago.