LAUSR

Abstract This article aims at discussing mechanisms involved in the formation of diasporas and the phonetic dynamics underlying part of their diversity, as seen through the lens of a heterogeneous group of Canadians of Haitian descent living in Toronto. As an illustration of this, the data presented in this paper relates to some aspects of the English phonological repertoire used by 24 Haitian Canadians who were interviewed using the sociolinguistic interview technique. The phonological variables selected are coronal stop deletion and non postvocalic /r/. Auditory data results show realisations characteristic of mainstream Canadian English but also those found typically in francophone speakers of English and/or transferred from Haitian Creole. Haitian Canadians whose English is their dominant language are more likely to produce mainstream Canadian English forms. In light of the creative and ever-changing structural nature of many contemporary diasporas, including Canada, this phonological study shows a situation of “in-betweens” where Haitian Canadians, especially speakers who were born in Haiti, exhibit both a sense of identity preservation with respect to the host society and towards their ‘Haitianity’. The qualitative and quantitative data presently available does not grant the suggestion that a Haitian English variety is emerging in Toronto. This may be partly explained by the lack of strong community ties and a relatively young settlement in the city, and also due to Haitians’ diverse socio-historical and migratory trajectories.