Haiti has two official languages: French and Haitian Creole. Creole is spoken by nearly the entire population and is the everyday language of most Haitians, while French is used mainly in formal settings such as government, law, and higher education. The constitution of 1987 gave Creole official status alongside French.
Creole studies covers the history of the language, its French-based vocabulary, its grammar, and its role in national identity. Because the great majority of Haitians speak only Creole, language policy has direct effects on schooling, access to courts, and public communication. Port-au-Prince is the natural base for fieldwork, with its media, publishers, and universities.
Related language work includes Creole linguistics in Dominica and Guarani language studies. A Mesoamerican comparison is available in Mayan linguistics in Guatemala, and a general guide to the local university sector is Haitian higher education paths.

