Substantially revised, Creolization of Language and Culture is the first English edition of Robert Chaudenson's landmark text Des iles, des hommes, des langues. Chaudenson argues against the traditional account of creole genesis taking full account of the peculiar linguistic and social factors at play in colonial societies. This is an accessible book that makes important contributions to the study of pidgin and creole language varieties and to the development of contemporary European languages outside Europe. Key features include an analysis of current debates on the development of creoles and discussions of human culture including music, medicine, cooking, magic, and folklore.