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speaking Saramaccan

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Saramaccan is a language originating from Suriname, a country in northern South America. It is a creole language spoken by approximately 26,000 people. Saramaccan has roots in the Bantu languages of Africa, namely Kikongo. It also has English and Dutch influence, as well as possibly some Portuguese. The speakers of Saramaccan are primarily descendants of Native West and Central Africa through slavery. This group formed the Saramaka (Saamacca) people and the language Saramaccan. It is a tonal language with two surface tones: high and low. High tones replace stress in European words. It is used within the community of the Saamacca people and two books have been published in Saramaccan, which have been distributed in local schools.

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