It's the country where there is a song about everything, the curry is amazing, and there is a holiday almost every week. My "sweet sweet T an T!" I left Trinidad when I was only seven years old. I don't remember much, but I do wish that I could jump back into the memories I do remember. There are so many things about Trinidad that I could write about, but I figure I'll take it one subject at a time. Most Trinis speak the language of Trin-glish. The official language of Trinidad is English, but Trinis have their own version of certain words. Yep, we are just that cool! Just kidding. For example, before we left to come to the US I remember my mom telling me that in the states, the word for 'sweet drink' is soda. From then I started practicing using the word soda instead of sweet drink. It was so weird at first but I stopped using the word soda and started using the names of drinks instead like coke, sprite, etc. To someone who is not accustomed to hearing this blend of English and Trini everyday, it may sound like a different language. Words like baigan, shatine, maco, and giddy are just a few that are not normal to the American ear.
Here are some of my favorites:
Allyuh: [all-yuh] you all; Allyuh comin' by we today?
Bonx: [boncks] to hit or slam; Oh lawd, ah bonx meh head on de cabinet dey.
Chook: [chuk] to pierce or poke; Oh god-oi, ah chook meh hand wit de knife!
Dotish: [doh-tish] stupid; Yuh dotish o wah?
Gyul: [gee-ul] girl; Aye gyul, wha goin' on?
Lime: [lime] a party or get-together; We limin' on de beach today.
Maco: [mako] to be nosy; Why you so maco in meh business?
Mamaguy: [ma-ma-gai] to suck up to someone; Raj Kapoor: Gyul yuh lookin' nice. Shaniqua: Boy doh mamaguy meh.
Steups: a sound made by sucking air through one's teeth; used to express disapproval; Husband: Dat dotish man gone an bonx meh car again. Wife: He guh pay fuh dat eh, steups.
Tabanca: [ta-bank-ah] a love sick state; Sally have tabanca, she husband leave she fuh another woman.
For a full list of Trin-glish words, go here: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Glossary_of_Trinidadian_English
Peace! :D
3 comments:
Hahahaha! I'll proudly admit that I actively use all those words (which makes it more funny, lol).
Very interesting, I need to memorize all this words. Thanks for the free Trin-glish class.
hahaha.. chook - to poke or pierce... I have this Trini dictionary on my phone, and you're right on for the meaning! However a better example of the word is: Riyad chook the little girl and now she crying
Post a Comment