What’s Possible With Haitian Creole?

 After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, demand for Haitian Creole translations surged, but qualified professionals were scarce. Marleen responded by training promising translators—creating grammar guides, terminology lists, and mentoring tirelessly.

Today, Creole Solutions leads a skilled team of translators and interpreters serving critical needs in healthcare, law, and beyond. Over ten years, we’ve empowered hundreds of professionals to thrive while preserving and promoting the Haitian Creole language and culture.

For decades, higher education and research in Haiti were tied almost exclusively to French, leaving Creole in the shadows. But that’s changing—and Creole Solutions has been part of the movement. From major milestones like the New York Times publishing in Haitian Creole to the UN launching its Haiti site in the language, recognition is growing.

We’ve collaborated with institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art to bring Haitian Creole into powerful works such as Didier William: Nou Kite Tout Sa Dèyè—ensuring stories of displacement, adaptation, and resilience reach those who live them.

As we say in Haitian culture, Kreyòl pale, kreyòl konprann—when Creole is spoken, it is understood. Learning in one’s own language makes knowledge more accessible, amplifies voices, and strengthens communities.

For generations, Haitian Creole thrived in conversations, music, and storytelling. Today, it’s making its mark in spaces once thought unreachable—on social media, global platforms, and across digital networks. The demand for Creole is surging, transforming how people connect, communicate, and claim their linguistic identity.

In 2022, Creole Solutions played a pivotal role in this shift, partnering with one of the world’s largest tech companies to fully localize their platform in Haitian Creole. For countless speakers, seeing their language fully represented online sparked tears of joy—and a profound sense of recognition.

This milestone reflects a bigger trend: Haitian Creole is no longer confined to spoken word or printed forms like tax documents—it’s thriving in the fast-paced, interconnected digital world. Thousands now share, post, and message in Creole every day.

At LocWorld, the leading conference on global business, translation, and localization, Marleen Julien shared how this achievement marked a new chapter for the language—one where Haitian Creole has a strong, confident voice in the global digital conversation.

When Creole Solutions began translating medical materials, there were no Haitian Creole terminology resources. Traditionally, Haitian doctors trained in French, leaving Creole for verbal instructions only. We changed that—building standardized glossaries and launching MedicalCreole.com, now a trusted resource for translators, interpreters, and healthcare providers nationwide.

From 200+ narrated modules fadapting the Wong-Baker Pain Scale into plain Haitian Creole to producing an e-learning course with or home health aides, we’ve brought clarity, cultural relevance, and professional quality to medical communication.

These efforts ensure Haitian patients receive accurate care instructions and empower Haitian-speaking healthcare workers with essential training—proving that when Haitian Creole is given the same professionalism as any language, it becomes a true life-saving tool.

Marketing translation is more than swapping words; it’s about cultural nuance, emotional connection, and carefully crafted messaging. With Haitian Creole among the top ten languages in the U.S., demand for professional, culturally resonant outreach is high. Over the past decade, Marleen and her team have helped clients advertise jobs, attract shoppers, and engage voters—most recently boosting survey participation for a regional utility through clear, well-written Haitian Creole.

We’re proud of the trust we’ve built and the results we deliver.

While only 5% of Haitians speak French fluently, most schooling is still conducted in French. Initiatives like MIT-Haiti are working to change that by promoting STEM learning in Kreyòl. Creole Solutions has proudly supported these efforts for over a decade—providing culturally sensitive translations for schools, making curriculum and parent communication accessible, and even offering Marleen’s children’s book Nan Jaden Amoni to local schools for free.

Our work goes beyond words, combining language expertise with cultural understanding to help schools integrate and engage students. When people learn in their native language, their potential soars.

Helping People Understand Their Rights Under the Law

Legal documents—from contracts to court rulings—are often filled with complex “legalese” that can confuse even native French or English speakers. In Haiti, this challenge is compounded by the fact that most legal proceedings are in French, a language only 5% of the population speaks fluently.

At Creole Solutions, we prioritize translating legal materials into clear, plain Haitian Creole, ensuring people truly understand their rights and obligations. Whether it’s simplifying “shall indemnify and hold harmless” to “you agree to protect the other party from losses or claims” or explaining legal phrases like quid pro quo as “ban m pou m ba w” (give me so I can give you), our goal is clarity and cultural accuracy.

Over the past decade, we’ve built extensive legal terminology resources and worked closely with clients to ensure translations meet the needs of their audiences—adding short explanations for complex concepts when necessary.

Even as recent U.S. policy changes reduce guaranteed language access for LEP individuals, many landlords, employers, and organizations continue to recognize the value of clear communication.

What’s possible when people fully understand legal agreements? They can make informed decisions, comply confidently, and gain greater control over their lives.

When families understand school systems in their own language, they show up, speak up, and team up with teachers. At Creole Solutions, we turn complex school jargon into clear, culturally respectful Haitian Creole, so parents can make informed decisions and advocate confidently. From IEPs to open houses, our translations help families navigate education with clarity and trust.

For over a decade, we’ve partnered with schools and universities nationwide, combining cultural insight with precise educational terminology to strengthen home–school partnerships and support better outcomes for every student.

When employees receive safety training in their own language, they stay calm under pressure, avoid hazards, and protect one another. At Creole Solutions, we turn complex technical terms into clear, culturally accurate Haitian Creole so every worker can understand and act.

For more than a decade, we’ve helped companies and HR teams nationwide translate safety documents, signage, and training materials, ensuring compliance and protecting lives. From “lockout/tagout” procedures to emergency drills, our translations make critical information accessible and precise.

Because safety isn’t just about helmets and gloves, it’s about understanding. Clear language saves lives, prevents accidents, and builds a culture where everyone goes home safe.