Haiti (Haitian Creole: Ayiti, French: Haïti) is a Caribbean country that occupies the western one-third of the island of Hispaniola. The eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola is occupied by the Dominican Republic. The North Atlantic Ocean lies to the north, while the Caribbean Sea lies to the south.
Languages Spoken in Haiti
Haitians speak French (franse in Kreyòl / Haitian Creole), associated with the local elite and the upper middle class and not commonly spoken, and/or Haitian Creole (kreyol), which is the language of the masses, consisting of strong French and African influence along with Spanish and Taino influences to a lesser extent. Do not expect to be able to speak Kreyòl if you know French, as the two are separate languages with highly different vocabulary and grammatical structures. Many Haitians are very appreciative if you go to the trouble to learn at least a little bit of the native language, rather than using an interpreter or expecting them to speak English. Be advised that only a small minority of Haitians are fluent in French. Haitians working at tourist areas usually speak English well enough for conversation and they can help you with any inquiries.