Hi, I love your site and what you're doing to make Creole accessible!My question is about Martelly. I heard him speaking Creole In a radio program and I'm wondering how often do HaitianPresidents use it in discourse. Does Martelly speaking Creoleend

Not often, I can tell you that.
Jean Bertrand Aristide did it. That's why he connected with the people.
It's nice to listen to a president's speech, and actually understand what he's saying.
You know the proverb:
Kreyol pale, Kreyol konprann

Creole spoken, Creole understood.
Creole plain and simple.

I remember during the time of Jean-Claude Duvalier, all his speech were made in French. During his public address, even if the Creole-speaking crowds didn't understand one word he said, they would just erupt in cheers, hoping that he didn't just say that he was going to kill them all :)

Are you old enough to remember J.C. Duvalier nasal speeches? 

Mezanmi!  College students used to have a blast imitating his nasal accent. 

You would hear those students at recess:

J.C.D. speaking French to the people: I'm gonna kill you all!

Creole-speaking crowd: Yay!!!!!!

J.C.D. speaking French to the people: I don't like you!!!!!

Creole-speaking crowd: Yes!  Yes!  Thank You!!!!!!!

Lord knows! only about 5% of the people knew what he was really talking about.

Gwo kout chapo to all the Haitian presidents who make it their mission to connect with the people!

Ask me anything