The universalist hypothesis sets out from the premise that creole languages are created by children, utilizing their innate knowledge of language universals. The substrate hypothesis assumes that the native languages of the first slaves are responsible for typical creole language features.

1. Introduction: Problems in the Identification of Substratum Features. (by Muysken, Pieter); 2. The Language Bioprogram Hypothesis: Deja vu? (by Gilbert, Glenn); 3. Creoles and West African Languages: a Case of Mistaken Identity? (by Bickerton, Derek); 4. Bonnet Blanc and Blanc Bonnet: Adjective-Noun Order, Substratum and Language Universals (by Muhlhausler, Peter); 5. Semantic Transparency as a Factor in Creole Genesis (by Seuren, Pieter A.M.); 6. The Domestic Hypothesis, Diffusion and Componentiality. An Account of Atlantic Anglophone Creole Origins (by Hancock, Ian F.); 7. Genesis and Development of the Equative Copula in Sranan (by Arends, Jacques); 8. The Universalist and Substrate Hypotheses Complement One Another (by Mufwene, Salikoko S.); 9. Universals, Substrata and the Indian Ocean Creoles (by Baker, Philip); 10. Double Negation and the Genesis of Afrikaans (by Besten, Hans den); 11. The Genesis of Haitian: Implications of a Comparison of Some Features of the Syntax of Haitian, French, and West african Languages (by Koopman, Hilda); 12. Substrate Diffusion (by Holm, John); 13. Relexification in creole Genesis Revisited: the Case of Hiatian Creole (by Lefebvre, Claire); 14. Substratum Inflluences - Guilty until Proven Innocent (by Alleyne, Mervyn C.)