Miami, located in southern Florida, is a diverse and vibrant city with residents that speak many languages. However, there is no one specific “Miami language.” Miami’s main languages are English and Spanish. The traditional greeting in English is “hello” and in Spanish is “hola.” Miami is sometimes called the “Capital of Latin America” due to its large population of Spanish speakers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 70% of Miami residents speak a language other than English at home, and 78% speak Spanish. So if you want to say hello to someone in Miami, “hola” is a good place to start!
The diversity of languages in Miami
While Spanish is predominant, Miami is home to speakers of many other languages as well. According to the Modern Language Association, the top 10 languages spoken in Miami besides English and Spanish are:
- Haitian Creole
- Portuguese
- French
- German
- Yiddish
- Italian
- Russian
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Hebrew
This diversity stems from the waves of immigration that have shaped Miami over the past century and a half. Beginning in the mid-1800s, Miami started as a destination for Bahamian immigrants. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, migrants came from throughout the Caribbean seeking work. Major waves of immigration from Cuba began in 1959 after Fidel Castro took power. Miami also received many immigrants from Central and South America fleeing political turmoil in the 1960s-1980s. Haitian immigrants arrived in Miami in the 1970s and 1980s due to poverty and political issues in Haiti. Miami continues to be a major entry point for immigrants coming to the United States today.
Common greetings in Miami’s major languages
Here are some common greetings used in Miami’s most widely spoken languages besides English and Spanish:
Haitian Creole
The typical Haitian Creole greetings are:
- Bonjou – Good morning
- Bonswa – Good afternoon/evening
- Koman ou ye? (informal) / Koman ou ye? (formal) – How are you?
Portuguese
Portuguese greetings used in Miami include:
- Bom dia – Good morning
- Boa tarde – Good afternoon
- Boa noite – Good evening/night
- Olá / Oi – Hello
- Como vai? (informal) / Como vai? (formal) – How are you?
French
French speakers in Miami may say:
- Bonjour – Good morning/day
- Bonsoir – Good evening
- Salut – Hi
- Ça va? / Comment allez-vous? – How are you?
Yiddish
Yiddish greetings used in the Miami Jewish community include:
- Gut morgn – Good morning
- Gutn ovnt – Good evening
- Sholem aleikhem – Hello (literally “Peace be upon you”)
- Vi geits? – How are you?
These examples show Miami’s diversity. While Spanish remains the lingua franca, you may also hear greetings in Haitian Creole, Portuguese, French, Yiddish, and many other languages spoken by Miamians and visitors.
Greetings reflect Miami’s cultural diversity
Miami’s wide variety of greetings reflects its cultural diversity. Here is a table summarizing some common greetings in the top 10 languages spoken in Miami besides English and Spanish:
Language | Morning Greeting | Afternoon/Evening Greeting | “Hello” | “How Are You?” |
---|---|---|---|---|
Haitian Creole | Bonjou | Bonswa | N/A | Koman ou ye? (informal) Koman ou ye? (formal) |
Portuguese | Bom dia | Boa tarde Boa noite |
Olá / Oi | Como vai? (informal) Como vai? (formal) |
French | Bonjour | Bonsoir | Salut | Ça va? / Comment allez-vous? |
Yiddish | Gut morgn | Gutn ovnt | Sholem aleikhem | Vi geits? |
As Miami continues to welcome new waves of immigrants, its linguistic landscape will likely become even more diverse. But regardless of which language is spoken, Miami maintains its welcoming spirit to people of all backgrounds.
The evolution of Miami’s greetings
Miami’s greetings have evolved over time alongside patterns of immigration. In the mid-late 1800s when the Bahamas were Miami’s primary source of immigrants, early Miamians likely used greetings like:
- Good mawnin’ – Good morning
- Good evenin’ – Good evening
These greetings from the Bahamian diaspora established the English foundation. As Cuban immigrants arrived in waves in the 1900s, Spanish greetings like:
- Buenos días – Good morning
- Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
- Buenas noches – Good evening
- Hola – Hello
Were increasingly heard. Haitian Creole, Portuguese, French, and other languages expanded Miami’s linguistic repertoire as immigration diversified after the 1960s. Code-switching between languages is also common today. Miami greetings continue to change as new generations are born and new immigrant groups arrive.
Speaking some Miami greetings
If you’re visiting Miami or chatting with a Miamian, try sprinkling in a Miami greeting:
- Buenos días – Good morning
- Boa tarde – Good afternoon (Portuguese)
- Bonswa – Good evening (Haitian Creole)
- Salut – Hello (French)
- ¿Cómo estás? – How are you? (Spanish)
You don’t need to be fluent in multiple languages. Locals will appreciate any effort to understand Miami’s diverse cultures. Miami takes pride in its status as a multilingual melting pot.
Preserving Miami’s linguistic heritage
While Miami is well-known for its Spanish influence, efforts are ongoing to preserve the city’s other linguistic communities. Groups like the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance and Yiddishkayt Miami aim to maintain and promote their mother tongues through language classes, oral histories, plays and films in Haitian Creole and Yiddish, and other cultural programming. The Miami Arts Charter School offers classes in Haitian Creole. Florida International University has degree programs in Portuguese, French, Italian, and Certificate Programs in Haitian Creole and Yiddish. By supporting minority languages, Miamians hope to retain the city’s diverse linguistic heritage.
Conclusion
Miami greetings reflect a crossroads of cultures from the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and beyond. Spanish remains the lingua franca, especially “hola.” But you may also hear “bonjou” or “bom dia” as you meet Miamians from varied backgrounds. The evolution of Miami’s greetings illustrates how cultures blend in this sunny gateway city. By learning some key Miami greetings, you can connect with and honor Miami’s diverse communities.