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Cape Verdean Language and Culture 

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Cape Verdean Language and CultureCape Verde, also known as Cabo Verde, is an archipelago nation located in the center of the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated about 600 km off the western coast of Africa. This archipelago comprises ten islands; it was an uninhabited territory until it was colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Portuguese is the official language of Cape Verde and is used in the press, media, higher education, the judicial system, and public services. However, virtually all Cape Verdeans speak Cape Verde Creole, a Portuguese language mixed with African slang. In addition to Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole, other languages, such as English and French, are spoken by a few older residents on the tourist island.  

Cape Verde has a population of about 526,217, occupying a land area of 4,033 km2. The nation borders Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Bissau, and Mauritania through its maritime borders. Praia, the capital city of Cape Verde, is the boiling point of economic and political activities on the Island. 

As you read further in this article, you will learn more about Cape Verdean language and culture, best business practices, translating for the Cape Verdean market, and how to successfully launch a business in Cape Verde. 

 

 National and Local Languages of Cape Verde 

Cape Verde is mainly a bilingual country with Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole as the country’s most spoken languages. Portuguese is used mainly for official settings, while Cape Verdean Creole is the language used in unofficial settings.  

Highlighted below are languages spoken in Cape Verde: 

  • Portuguese: Portuguese is the official language in Cape Verde and is spoken by over 500,000 of the total population. 
  • Cape Verdean Creole: This is the mother tongue of all Cape Verdeans, a Portuguese-based creole. It is mainly used at home, on the streets of Cape Verde, and other public spaces. 
  • English: English is spoken mainly by foreigners visiting the country and a very small number of the population. It is spoken mainly in hotels and tourist spots around Cape Verde. 
  • French: Like English, French is spoken by very few of the Cape Verdean population. 

 

Religion in Cape Verde 

Christianity is the most practiced religion in Cape Verde. Statistically, about 81.6 of the population are Christians and predominantly Roman Catholics. Very few Muslims are found in the country, accounting for only 1.8% of the population. The remaining 12.9% belong to other religious sects or are non-practicing. 

 

Family Life in Cape Verde 

Similar to other African countries, different generations of the Cape Verdean family live together in one household. Gender roles are also dominant; women are frowned upon for carrying out masculine tasks. At the same time, men are expected to be the sole providers and protectors of their households. Children assist with the upkeep of the home and other tasks. The primary language of communication in a typical Cape Verdean family is Cape Verdean Creole. 

Family ties extend to close friends and neighbors in Cape Verde as they are treated with the same love and respect they would a family member. This shows Cape Verdeans’ strong commitment to their communal values.  

 

Art and Architecture in Cape Verde 

Cape Verde has a rich cultural heritage influenced by African, Portuguese, and Brazilian roots.  

Funco, Loja, and Sombrado are some of the leading architectural styles in Cape Verde. Before independence, each architectural style was used based on skin color. The mixed populations used the Loja style, the Sombrado style was used by the white population, and the Funco style was used by the black population. 

Present-day Cidade Velha, a Ribera Grande de Santiago city, houses Cape Verde’s main architectural heritage. It was built by the Portuguese when they first arrived in Africa and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Other architectural styles have evolved over the years and are spread across the different islands of Cape Verde. 

 

Cape Verde Food 

Corn is the staple food of Cape Verdeans, and catchupa is the national dish. Catchupa consists of a slow-cooked stew with two types of corn, two or four varieties of beans, and fisher meat.  

Other Cape Verdean foods include:  

  • Corn 
  • Cassava 
  • Feijoada 
  • Malagueta hot sauce 
  • Galinha Grehaldo:  This grilled chicken meal is one of Cape Verdeans’ favorite lunches. The chicken is cooked on an open grill with its bones intact and spiced with garlic and malagueta oil. 
  • Fresh Fish 
  • Lapas: made from shellfish found around the island’s shoreline. This shellfish can be eaten raw or cooked in garlic butter. 
  • Kavala (mackerel) 

 

Cape Verdean Fashion 

 The Cape Verdea Panu di Terra is the traditional clothing of the Cape Verdeans. This unique clothing is worn during ceremonies and festivals, including official government ceremonies. The Pani di Terra is a handmade fabric made from cotton thread and can be sewn into any style of choice. The Pani di Terra is often used as supplementary clothing worn with another piece of fabric. Cape Verdean women tie it around their waist or strap babies to their backs. 

For the men, it can be hung on the neck as a shawl or flung over one arm. This small but unique piece of clothing is one of Cape Verdeans most significant cultural heritage. 

 

Common Cape Verdean Language Expressions and Their Translations 

Highlighted below are translations of common phrases used in the day-to-day activities of Cape Verdeans. The translations below are a mixture of Cape Verdean Creole and Portuguese. 

  • Hello – Ola 
  • Good morning – Bom dia 
  • Good afternoon – Boa tarde 
  • Good night – Boa noite 
  • Thank You – Obrigado 
  • How are you? – Como voce esta 
  • Goodbye – Adeus 
  • What is your name? – Moki bu tchoma 
  • My name is – Meu nome e … 
  • Goodluck – Boa sorti 
  • Have a good journey – Boa viaji 
  • Yes – Sin 
  • No – Nau 
  • Please – por favor Nassara 

 

Cape Verdean Holidays and Celebration 

Some significant holidays and celebrations in Cape Verde Include: 

  • New Year’s Day – 1st January 
  • Cape Verde Carnival – (February/March) 
  • Independence Day – 5th July 
  • All Saints Day  – 1st November 
  • Christmas Day – 25th December 
  • Boxing Day – 26th December 

 

Doing Business in Cape Verde 

To successfully launch a business in Cape Verde, you must have the knowledge and understanding of all ten islands. A quick survey of each island will help you find the best position for each audience if you choose to operate on all ten islands. Below are a few recommendations if you are looking at starting a business in Cape Verde.  

  1. Mode of exchange: The Cape Verdean Escudo is the acceptable medium for transactions in Cape Verde. Payments for products or services can be made via transfer into the supplier’s account.  
  1. Study the market: Cape Verde is an archipelago. Therefore, it is essential to do proper research on the different islands to understand the market dynamics better. It helps to know the people’s purchasing power, competitive landscape, necessities, cultural nuances, and best digital platforms for marketing. 
  1. Get a professional translation and localization service provider: a certified translation and localization partner is a valuable resource to convey your brand’s message using the right language and best delivery approach suited for Cape Verdeans. 
  1. Get a local partner:  a local partner will make understanding and launching in the new market as seamless as possible, as they already know the market dynamics. 
  1. Business Registration: registering your brand with the authorities in charge of businesses in Cape Verde is essential. 
  1. Marketing and Advertising:  these should be translated into Cape Verdean Creole or Portuguese for better understanding by the audience.  

 

Translating for the Cape Verdean Market 

Portuguese is the official language of Cape Verde; since Cape Verdean Creole is also widely spoken across the nation, it is important to translate materials into both Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole. This is important, mainly where traditional media will be used for advertising.  

It is advised to have business translations completed by a professional translator such as GPI. Understanding context and cultural nuances is very important when translating for the Cape Verdean market. A professional, native-speaking translator has the expertise to accurately translate your content for the Cape Verde market, which is crucial for market acceptance. 

 

Conclusion 

To localize your content for the Cape Verdean market, consider optimizing your product into Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole to communicate your products and services.  

It is also important to remember that professional translators provide quality translations. A qualified language service provider (LSP) such as GPI has the processes to qualify translators and provide high-level translation support. 

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