Daman and Diu Portuguese has gone under decreolization since annexation by India. Is standard Portuguese being taught in schools? Why is this?

Answer 1

Daman and Diu, along with Dadra and Nagar Haveli, were incorporated into the Indian Union in 1961, and the region shifted from Portuguese colonial rule to Indian administration. Following the annexation, there has been a process of decreolization, where the Portuguese-influenced creole spoken in the region, known as Kristi, has seen a decline.

Regarding the teaching of standard Portuguese in schools, the focus in Indian schools is typically on English and other Indian languages due to the multilingual nature of the country. The historical connection with Portuguese may have some cultural influence, but Portuguese is not typically a prominent language in the formal education system in these regions.

The reasons for the shift away from Portuguese language education could include a prioritization of languages more widely spoken in the region and a broader emphasis on languages with national and global importance. Additionally, the natural evolution of language use in a post-colonial context often leads to a decrease in the use of the colonial language over time.