decreolization

linguistics

Also known as: debasilectalization

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

Decreolization is the linguistic process where a creole language evolves into a standard language or a variety of a standard language. Creole languages themselves emerge from the contact between mutually unintelligible languages, often in colonial settings, developing into fully functional languages that serve as a native tongue. This process is the reverse of creolization, which is when a pidgin language becomes a creole. Decreolization signifies a movement back towards a more standardized linguistic form from a previously mixed or simplified language structure.1234

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

African American English
(Decreolization, or debasilectalization, is the process by which a vernacular loses its basilectal, or “creole,” features under the influence of the language from which it inherited most of its vocabulary. The basilect is the variety that is the most divergent from the local standard speech.)…
Read More
(Decreolization, or debasilectalization, is the process by which a vernacular loses its basilectal, or “creole,” features under the influence of the language from which it inherited most of its vocabulary. The basilect is the variety that is the most divergent from the local standard speech.)…
Read More