A Case Study for a Language Nest in Limonese Creole

Limonese Creole is an endangered Creole language spoken in Costa Rica. During the last decade, researchers alongside the community have produced various studies on the language structure, as well as revitalization efforts such as an orthography, translations, workshops, presentations, and a bill to recognize Limonese Creole as a language in the Political Constitution of the country, among others. However, can a mere political recognition change the language reality and encourage people to use the language more? The answer is simple, no. Hence, this case study aims to propose a curriculum for a Limonese Creole Language Nest that will contribute as an instrument for empowering the community and revitalizing their language. The language nest model portrays an innovative, immersion-based approach to early childhood language education and revitalization (Chambers, 2015). In language nests, older members of the community provide care for children while they speak their language with them. The purpose is to expose children as much as possible to the language so they will acquire native fluency. The long-term projection of this study is to set the basis for a Limonese Creole Language Nest curriculum as an effective vehicle for revitalizing the language.