Haiti - Education : First songs and videos of the Creole alphabet for children

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Haiti - Education : First songs and videos of the Creole alphabet for children
24/06/2015 10:49:10

The first songs of the Kreyòl alphabet (Haitian Creole) as educational videos have been produced and are available online. This pioneering project is the result of a collaboration between Michel DeGraff, professor of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the recognized promoter of Kreyòl, Ms. Mandaly Louis-Charles.

Historically, the first language of instruction is French, although most Haitians speak only Kreyòl at home and in their community. Almost 30 years after the language becomes official, the songs of the newly created alphabet are intended for Haitian children so they can learn easily and happily official alphabet of their mother tongue. "Imagine a new Haiti where everyone can finally read and write their native language," said Mr. DeGraff.

Mr. DeGraff directs the MIT-Haiti Initiative, a project that was created in response to the destruction of Haitian universities caused by the earthquake of 2010. The project uses digital technology and online education resources, all in Kreyòl to improve teaching in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as in the field of leadership and management in Haiti. He is also a founding member of the Academy of Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Akademi Ayisyen) and a member of the National Commission for the Reform of Haiti's study programs. Adding "This Haitian song is especially well established in Haitian culture and will raise the interest of Haitian children to improve their reading skills."

Ms. Louis-Charles produced the melody, vocal arrangement, and the harmonies of the song. Mr. Bémol Telfort has provided the musical accompaniment, by playing congas. Mr. DeGraff and Ms. Louis-Charles joined to create the lyrics and worked with Mr. Telfort and animator Robert Capria to produce the videos.

The original video of the song ("Chante Alfabè Kreyòl 1") inspired another video ("Chante Alfabè Kreyòl 2") which illustrates the basic principles of Kreyòl alphabet. The integrity of the video of Alfabè Kreyòl 2 is available on vimeo.com/ondemand/thecreolealphabet of Ms. Louis-Charles.

The instrumental soundtrack is available from iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, CDBaby.com, and Gracenote MusicID.

"I wish that children and adults alike will have lots of fun playing and singing while learning the spelling system of Kreyòl," stressed Ms. Louis-Charles.

HL/ HaitiLibre