* African Languages: Many slaves brought their native African languages with them, which they continued to speak in private, often alongside English. These languages were diverse, reflecting the various regions of Africa from which slaves were taken.
* Creole Languages: In many areas, particularly on plantations, enslaved people developed creole languages – mixtures of African languages and English, often with unique grammar and vocabulary. These creoles allowed for communication across different language backgrounds.
* English: Slaves were exposed to English, both from their enslavers and through interactions with other people in the colonial society. Some slaves became fluent in English, particularly those who worked in domestic settings or had more contact with white society.
* Pidgin Languages: A simplified form of English, often used for basic communication, also emerged. These pidgin languages lacked the full grammatical structures of English.
It's important to avoid the simplistic view of a single "slave language" and understand the linguistic diversity within enslaved communities. The languages they spoke were tools for survival, communication, and cultural expression.
To learn more about the specific languages spoken by enslaved people in different regions, it's helpful to research the history of African languages and the development of creole languages in the Americas.