The official language in Suriname is Dutch but because the Indians in Suriname originate from the North of India, Hindi is a common language. The language of Indian immigrants has developed itself into Sarnami Hindustani. The vocabulary of Sarnami has been extended with words from other Suriname languages, especially Dutch and Sranan Tongo (one of the Creole languages).

Most of the time I speak Dutch, even when I talk with my friends from Suriname. When I talk about football with friends I speak Dutch, but when I talk with my mother and grandmother about marriage I use Sarnami because the ideas in my head about marriages and family are in Sarnami. For me it's a part of my Surinamese identity.

At home we speak Dutch, we always did. When my grandmother is with us and they talk about family matters they also speak Sarnami.