Georgetown - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
People speak English country but the creole is heavy. Entire conversations happen in front of you with no understanding of what is being said but this is normal in places that have experienced colonization, if someone wants you to understand you will. If they don't, be prepared not to. Conversely, we speak too fast. Please slow down for local Guyanese to understand you before getting frustrated. - Apr 2024
English is the official language. - Jun 2022
English! And understanding some of the fun local quirks (for example greetings include good morning, good afternoon, good evening, and good night, the last one doesn't actually mean "goodbye" like in the US). - Aug 2021
English is the national language but some individuals will need to ease into understanding the accent more than others. - Sep 2020
None. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America. The local accent can be difficult to understand at first, but you’ll figure it out eventually. - Aug 2019
It can be odd to go to the market and not understand what people are saying, but for the most part you don't need to learn much of the local creole. - Sep 2016
English is the main language here- you will pick up the local dialect and wait for "just now" to actually happen. If Guyanese go into creole dialect, you will struggle to understand and in some of the more rural regions, you will wonder if it is a separate language. - Apr 2014
English is the official language; although, it can be mixed with Creole. - Nov 2013
Everyone speaks English, but with different accents. - May 2012
Although this is billed as an English-speaking Post, give yourself time to adjust to the Creole! After a couple of weeks everything becomes much clearer, although there are still people I don't understand (mostly from small villages). - Mar 2012
English is the official language. Guyanese Creole takes some time to get used to, but it's fun once you can understand it. Some news articles are written in Guyanese creole, look it up and have a laugh. - Feb 2012
English is the official language. Guyanese speak creole with each other, but everyone you would deal with knows English. - Feb 2010
