1. Lexifier (Dominant Language)
* French-based creoles: These are the largest group, found in the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and parts of Africa. Examples include Haitian Creole, Louisiana Creole, and Seychellois Creole.
* English-based creoles: These are common in the Caribbean, parts of Africa, and the Pacific. Examples include Jamaican Patois, Krio (Sierra Leone), and Bislama (Vanuatu).
* Portuguese-based creoles: Found in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Examples include Papiamento (Curaçao), Cabo Verdean Creole, and São Toméan Creole.
* Spanish-based creoles: Mostly found in the Caribbean and Central America. Examples include Palenquero (Colombia), and Chabacano (Philippines).
* Dutch-based creoles: Found primarily in the Caribbean. Examples include Sranan Tongo (Suriname), and Papiamentu (Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire).
2. Geographic Region
* Caribbean Creoles: This is a vast category with a wide range of languages, including English-based, French-based, Spanish-based, and Dutch-based creoles.
* African Creoles: These are mostly French- and English-based, with some Portuguese-based creoles.
* Pacific Creoles: Primarily English-based, with some French-based creoles.
* Southeast Asian Creoles: Mainly Malay-based, but also some Portuguese-based creoles.
3. Linguistic Features
* Simplified Grammar: Many creoles have simplified grammatical structures compared to the languages they evolved from.
* Relexification: Some creoles use words from their lexifier language but with different grammatical functions or meanings.
* Pidginization: A stage of language development where features are borrowed and simplified, but not fully developed into a full language.
Important Note:
* While these are helpful ways to categorize creoles, it's essential to remember that each language has its unique history, development, and features. There is a lot of overlap and variation within these categories.
* There's a growing debate around the "type" vs. "family" approach to classifying creoles. Some linguists prefer to focus on shared features rather than strict lineage.
To learn more about specific creole languages, I recommend searching for them on websites like Ethnologue or the WALS (World Atlas of Language Structures).