The Haitian Creole alphabet consists of 32 letters, designed to represent the unique sounds of Haitian Creole, the most widely spoken language in Haiti.
Unlike French, it uses a phonetic system, where each letter or combination of letters corresponds closely to a specific sound, making it easier to read and write. Introduced officially in 1980, the Haitian Creole alphabet was developed to standardize the language and promote literacy among the population.

Its creation was a collaborative effort by linguists and educators, including the Akademi Kreyòl Ayisyen (AKA), who sought to distinguish the language from French while reflecting Haiti’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage. Haitian Creole emerged during the colonial era in the 17th and 18th centuries, blending French vocabulary with West African grammar and syntax, along with influences from Spanish, English, and indigenous languages. Today, the standardized alphabet is a critical tool for preserving Haiti’s cultural identity and expanding access to education and literacy.

Click the link below to download the updated version of the Haitian Creole Orthograph and Alphabet.