FRC Pays Tribute to Dr. Martha Fidelis Isaac, Advocate for Creole Language and Lifelong Education

The Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) is paying tribute to former member and Creole language advocate Dr. Martha Fidelis Isaac, for her sterling and extensive contribution to education in language and literature and, in particular, the promotion and development of Kwéyòl in Saint Lucia. Dr Isaac passed away on December 19th at the age of 79. She is survived by her two daughters and their families, and many other relatives, friends and professional associates in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.

The FRC is deeply indebted to Dr. Isaac for her contribution to the increasing awareness of the importance of the Kwéyòl Language amongst educators, teachers and language specialists in Saint Lucia. The foundation of Dr. Isaac’s association with the FRC was the academic and community research in Kwéyòl, spearheaded by the Mouvman Kwéyòl Sent Lisi (MOKWEYOL). Following her early training at the St. Lucia Teachers College, she went on to study literature, languages and linguistics at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus.

For her MPhil thesis she undertook pioneering research into the Creole orthography. Subsequently, she was sought after and widely referenced by other researchers, students, academics, and educators working on language acquisition and Creole linguistics.

Her academic and creative writing as well as contributions to public discourse on language development, education and lifelong learning, was deeply influenced by her understanding and use of cultural issues and frameworks, which were the main objectives of the FRC language programme.

She was an educator and teacher her entire life. Dr. Isaac taught at the Ave Maria Girl’s School, where she was appointed the first lay principal; the Castries Comprehensive School and the St Lucia Teachers’ College and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. Following a stint as Head of Curriculum and Material Development Unit of the Ministry of Education (CAMDU), she lectured in linguistics at the Cave Hill Camus of the University of West Indies.

Dr. Isaac’s passing represents a significant loss to the people of Saint Lucia and to the Folk Research Centre, as we continue to lay the path towards the full recognition of Kwéyòl as an official language in Saint Lucia. It is the hope of the FRC that her labours in the areas of language education, linguistic research and the provision of research evidence on the significance of the Kwéyòl language will, eventually, receive national recognition.

The FRC and the UWI Open Campus, in collaboration with the family of Dr. Isaac, hosted a tribute ceremony entitled “Lavéyé pou Mafa” on Sunday January 11th  at the UWI Open Campus, Morne Fortune at 4.00 p.m. The evening’s programme featured music, dance and readings highlighting the creative and academic works of the late Dr. Isaac.