Abstract EN:

The purpose of the study is twofold : first, to elucidate the general processus of creolization of language in haiti ; second, to provide empirical input for further works. Our study centered on 20 localities. The methodology consisted of extensive interviews with illiterate unilingual peasants. The atlas brings together authentic data. The major part of this thesis is taken up by map's commentaries (vol. I and ii) and maps (vol. Iii, iv, v, and vi). The whole is rounded off with an introduction, a few conclusions (pp. 974-992), two index (pp. 993- 1016) and a bibliography (pp. 1017-1029). We were interested, above all, in the genetical implications that ensued from dialect investigation using the geolinguistic methods of dialect analysis. In general, in the commentaries, emphasis is laid upon diachronic and comparative study. Of special interest to us was the role or influence of french ("koine d'oil") in the formation of haitian creole (hc). The storehouse of information on dialects that has beeen compiled has contributed significantly to our understanding of the creolization phenomenon. The most important finding is the major role of the french language in the genesis of hc. Relative little attention was paid to west african influences, except in part of some commentaries, and in conclusions that discussed the african legacy. Both of the syntax and the semantics of hc show west african reflexes