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TARPON SPRINGS, Florida, June 23, 2015 \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ —\u00a0The first ever Krey\u00f2l (Haitian Creole) alphabet songs as educational videos have been created and made available online, it was announced today. The groundbreaking project is the result of collaboration between Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Linguistics Professor\u00a0Michel DeGraff<\/a><\/b> and recognized Krey\u00f2l advocate Mandaly Louis-Charles<\/a><\/b>. <\/p>\n Photo – http:\/\/photos.prnewswire.com\/prnh\/20150622\/224855<\/a> The videos’ creation holds both historical and political significance to the country of Haiti. Historically the primary language of school instruction has been French, despite most Haitians speaking only Krey\u00f2l at home and in the community. Nearly 30 years after the language was made official, the newly created alphabet songs are intended for Haitian children to easily and joyfully learn their native language’s official alphabet.<\/p>\n “Imagine a new Haiti where everyone at long last can read and write their native language,” said DeGraff. <\/p>\n DeGraff leads the MIT-Haiti Initiative, a project that was created in response to the destruction of Haitian universities by the 2010 earthquake. The Initiative is using digital technology and open educational resources online, all in Krey\u00f2l, in order to improve science, technology, engineering, and math education, as well as leadership and management in Haiti. The professor is also a founding member of Haiti’s recently created Haitian Creole Academy (Akademi Krey\u00f2l Ayisyen) and a member of Haiti’s National Commission for Curricular Reform.<\/p>\n “This is specifically a Haitian song that is well anchored in Haitian culture and will resonate well with Haitian children to enhance their reading skills,” he added.<\/p>\n Louis-Charles created the song’s melody, vocals and harmonies. B\u00e9mol Telfort provided the musical accompaniment, playing the congas. DeGraff and Louis-Charles teamed up to create the lyrics and worked with Telfort and animator Robert Capria to produce the videos. <\/p>\n The song’s original video (“Chante Alfab\u00e8 Krey\u00f2l 1”) inspired a follow-up video (“Chante Alfab\u00e8 Krey\u00f2l 2”) illustrating the basic principles of the Krey\u00f2l alphabet. Both videos are available for preview via Louis-Charles’ YouTube channel<\/a>. The complete video of Alfab\u00e8 Krey\u00f2l 2 is available on Louis-Charles’ Vimeo channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Photo – http:\/\/photos.prnewswire.com\/prnh\/20150622\/224854<\/a><\/p>\n