How The Expanse’s Belter Language Reflects Real-World Creoles
Formally known as Belter Creole, but sometimes just referred to as Belter, the language of the Belters is unique to the universe of The Expanse. The Belters are the beings in The Expanse that live in the asteroid belt and outer planets of the solar system of this universe, thus the name. Having their own language is an essential quality of these people, considering that they are the working class of this world. This language was created by a linguist known as Nick Farmer, and the process by which he crafted it builds on the way that creole languages have evolved historically on Earth.
However, while their Belter language allows them to work effectively, it contributes to the distance between them and the other beings in the galaxy. Residents of the other planets look down on the Belters and view them as lesser for their unique qualities, reflecting the prejudices present in our own modern-day society.
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Belter Creole has been used by the Belter people for a very long time, dating back to the original settlers of the Belt. There are a few Belters, that belong to a higher class, that can somewhat be understood by people from other planets, but most speak this Creole language. It originally began as a pidgin language, which allowed residents of the Belt to communicate with others using the various languages of Earth that passed through. This is what makes the language so reflective of the Creole languages that we are familiar with today, such as Hatian Creole and Jamaican Creole, which were created and used in much the same way.
Pidgin languages are simplified forms of communication, spoken between people who do not share a language in common. Historically, these were
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