Language and people in the Surinamese society consists of articles on the language situation in the multilingual Surinamese society. Among the themes are language, language politics, sociolinguistics, culture, identity, history and education. Hein Eersel, one of the leaders in the 1950s and 1960s, gave important impetus to a language and cultural policy in the multi-ethnic Surinamese society. The insights in this publication are important to formulate a balanced language and culture policy for the Surinamese society.