Numbers in Mauritian Creole
kreol morisien
Numbers in Mauritian Creole follow a mixed counting system combining vigesimal (base-20) and decimal elements. Spoken by approximately 1.2 million people in Mauritius, this language is part of the French lexical-based Creoles of the Indian Ocean. Its counting system is notably irregular, with unique words for specific numbers like 'diset' for 17 and 'swasann-dis' for 70. Unlike straightforward decimal systems, Mauritian Creole uses a vigesimal base from sixty to ninety, making its numbers both fascinating and complex. Understanding these rules offers insight into the island’s rich linguistic heritage and cultural identity.
Number system
Mauritian Creole's counting system is primarily vigesimal, meaning it uses 20 as a key multiplier. Numbers 6-9 are formed by combining units with the base words: 6 is 'sis', 7 is 'set', 8 is 'wit', and 9 is 'nef'. Tens like 30 ('trant') and 40 ('karannt') are based on multiplying 10 by 3 and 4 respectively, but the system shifts to vigesimal from 60 onwards. For example, 60 is 'swasant' (from 'swas' meaning 20, multiplied by 3), and 70 is 'swasann-dis' (60 + 10). 80 ('katrovin') is four times 20, and 90 ('katrovin-dis') adds 10 to 80. Compound numbers like 42 are formed by combining 'trant' (30) and 'kat' (4) as 'trant-kat', meaning 30 + 4, while 78 is 'swasann-dis-set' (60 + 10 + 7). Hundreds are formed with the number plus 'san' (e.g., 'san' for 100, 'de san' for 200). Thousands are constructed similarly with 'mil' (e.g., 'de mil' for 2000).
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Number words from 1 to 10
Numbers 1-10 are unique words: 1 is 'enn', 2 is 'dé', 3 is 'trwa', 4 is 'kat', 5 is 'sink', 6 is 'sis', 7 is 'set', 8 is 'wit', 9 is 'nef', and 10 is 'dis'.
Numbers 11 to 16
Numbers 11-16 have specific words: 11 is 'onz', 12 is 'douz', 13 is 'trez', 14 is 'katorz', 15 is 'kinz', and 16 is 'sez'.
Numbers 17 to 19
Formed by combining 'dis' (10) with units without space: 17 is 'diset', 18 is 'dizwit', and 19 is 'diznef'.
Tens and multiples of 20
Tens are irregular: 20 is 'vin', 30 is 'trant', 40 is 'karannt', 50 is 'sinkant', 60 is 'swasant', 70 is 'swasann-dis', 80 is 'katrovin', and 90 is 'katrovin-dis'. Compound numbers like 27 ('vennset') combine 20 ('vin') and 7 ('set') directly, with no space.
Compound numbers above 20
Numbers like 42 ('trant-kat') are formed by combining the tens and units directly. For numbers based on 70 and 90, hyphenation is used: 71 ('swasannonz') is 60+11, 94 ('katrovin-katorz') is 80+14, and 99 ('katrovin-diznef') is 80+19.
Hundreds and thousands
Hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit with 'san': 100 is 'san', 200 is 'de san', 300 is 'trwa san', up to 900 'nef san'. Thousands are formed similarly: 1,000 is 'mil', 2,000 is 'de mil', 3,000 is 'trwa mil', etc.
Unique features
Numbers 17 ('diset') and 19 ('diznef') are formed by prefixing 'dis' (10) directly to units, with no space, unlike most languages.
The vigesimal system is evident in 70 ('swasann-dis') and 90 ('katrovin-dis'), combining 60 and 80 base multiples with 10.
Compound numbers like 54 ('sinkantkat') are formed by concatenating the base words without spaces, which is uncommon in many languages.
Large numbers like 1 million are 'enn milion', showing the influence of French 'million' but with a Creole prefix.
The use of 'san' for 100 and 'mil' for 1,000 reflects the French influence, but the formation rules are uniquely adapted to the vigesimal system.
Cultural context
Mauritian Creole is spoken by about 1.2 million people primarily in Mauritius, an island with a diverse cultural heritage influenced by French, African, Indian, and Chinese communities. Numbers appear in daily transactions, traditional ceremonies, and storytelling. The vigesimal system reflects historical trade and cultural exchanges with African and European traders. Certain numbers, like 13 ('trez') and 17 ('diset'), hold cultural significance, but there are no widely known taboos associated with specific numbers. The language’s numerical system showcases resilience and adaptation, blending French lexical roots with indigenous counting patterns, reinforcing cultural identity and historical continuity.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 70 is 'swasann-dis', combining 'swas' (20) thrice, illustrating the vigesimal pattern.
Fact 2: Unlike English, where 80 is 'eighty', in Mauritian Creole it is 'katrovin', meaning 4*20, showing a base-20 multiplication.
Fact 3: The formation of 17 ('diset') and 19 ('diznef') by prefixing 'dis' (10) to units is a unique linguistic feature.
Fact 4: The word 'mil' for 1,000 is borrowed from French, but the counting rules for thousands are adapted to the vigesimal system.
Fact 5: For very large numbers, the language simply extends the pattern, e.g., 'enn milion' for 1 million, combining French influence with native counting logic.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Mauritian Creole?
1 - 'enn', 2 - 'dé', 3 - 'trwa', 4 - 'kat', 5 - 'sink', 6 - 'sis', 7 - 'set', 8 - 'wit', 9 - 'nef', 10 - 'dis'.
What number base does Mauritian Creole use?
It primarily uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by 60 ('swasant'), 70 ('swasann-dis'), 80 ('katrovin'), and 90 ('katrovin-dis'), which combine multiples of 20 with 10-based additions.
How do you say 42 in Mauritian Creole?
42 is 'trant-kat' (30 + 4), formed by combining 'trant' (30) and 'kat' (4) directly, following the pattern of tens plus units.
How do you say 100 in Mauritian Creole?
100 is 'san'. Hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit with 'san', e.g., 200 is 'de san'.
How many people speak Mauritian Creole?
Approximately 1.2 million people speak Mauritian Creole, primarily in Mauritius.
Is Mauritian Creole related to other languages?
Yes, it is a French lexical-based Creole belonging to the Bourbonnais Creole group, related to other French-based Creoles spoken in the southwestern Indian Ocean.
What makes Mauritian Creole counting unique?
Its use of a vigesimal system from 60 to 90, with compound formations like 'swasann-dis' for 70, and the direct concatenation of number words without spaces or hyphens for many numbers, distinguishes it from many other languages.