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Here are some curious facts about Trinidad and Tobago and it language: While Trinidadians and Tobagonians are culturally similar, if not identical in most ways that count, there are some ways in which their histories have made them quite different. Both islands speak and write Standard English in formal situations. However, in casual settings each island tends to prefer their own form of Creole English, with their own distinct grammar and pronunciation.
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Two Versions of Creole English
Both Creoles share many words and phrases with Standard English. When compared with Trinidadian, Tobago's Creole English, in it's purest form, has greater similarity to the Creole spoken in Jamaican and other Caribbean Islands, contains words not found in Trinidad, and is grammatically closer to it's West African roots than is Trinidad's.
More Facts about Trinidad and Tobago Creoles
Trinidad's Creole English is a linguistic callaloo that has been influenced by the islands cultural diversity. Today, many place and animal names ring true to their Carib origins (Toco, Maracas, Piarco, Chacachacare and manicou, for example). And the influence of Spain's 300 year rule is still prevalent today in food (pelau, sancoche, pastelle, sapodilla) and place names (San Juan, La Brea etc.) to mention just a few.
Trinidadians Spoke French for 100 Years
French patios was the principal language for almost 100 years, and as a result there is a large stock of French words and syntax still in use today, for example: Trinidadian - "It making hot", French - "Il fait chud". Then there are the Hindi words, which continue to creep into everyday speech like baigan, roti, tawa etc.
See if you can recognize any of these facts about Trinidad and Tobago's linguistic heritages in our Trinidad and Tobago Dictionary, below...
Trinidad and Tobago Dictionary – Part 5 |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Q |
Quaccoowaja
Overdressed (Tobago)
Quai D'or Say (Croisee - pronounced Quay-zay)
The main junction in the San Juan area, which reputedly never sleeps.
Qualey
Withered or dried up.
Queff
Outfitted with flair, stylishly dressed. As in, How yuh hair queff up so, yuh going somewhere?
Quenk
Wild pig.
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R |
Raff
To grab suddenly.
Rag Up
To verbally abuse, insult or make a fool of someone.
Ramfle, Rumfle
Rumple, ruffle, tousle or wrinkle. As in Doh ramfle dat paper, eh.
Rain Flies
Flying termites that appear during the rainy season, and shed their wings soon after flight.
Rain Set Up
Dark threatening clouds signifying impending rain.
Ramajay, Ramachez
1: To show off. Flamboyant and creative display during a musical solo or dance. 2: To carry on at length.
Ramcram, Ramjam
Packed to capacity, crammed to overflowing. As in, Dat fete was ramcram.
Ratchefee
1: A scheme. 2: A patched up job.
Red Mango
A spicy, sweet mango preserve of Chinese origin that is eaten as a snack.
Robber Talk
Extravagant, braggadocios, meaningless, long-winded empty threats. See also gun talk and Midnight Robber.
Road March
Trinidad Carnival's top calypso or soca tune. The tune most played while Carnival bands parade cross Port-of-Spain's numerous stages. The winner of the Road March Competition, a title that includes a significant cash prize and considerable prestige.
Rock Cake
A hard, heavy cookie or scone that is often made with grated coconut.
Roti
A flat tortilla-like bread of East Indian origin, into which is folded a spicy mixture of curried meat and potato. Roti has almost acquired the status of a national dish in Trinidad. A very popular and delicious Trinidad fast food.
Roukou
The red, powdery, natural food coloring, originally used by native Amerindians as a body dye, among other things.
Run Money, Run Woman
To pursue money, to pursue women.
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S |
Sancoche
A thick split pea based soup featuring a selection of ground provisions, salted meat and other odds and ends. See Corn Soup, true Trinidadian food.
Santimanitay
Further thought. Patios, "sans humanite" meaning without humanity, without pity. Often a chorus or refrain in older calypsos that boasted of the singer's exploits
Sapodilla
Large plum sized, brown, rough skinned fruit with a sweet pulpy flesh and flat black seed. Sap provides chicle for chewing gum.
Scrunting
To be without money, down on your luck, broke. Also expressed as, Catchin' yuh tail.
Sea Blas'
Sea Blast. The Trade Winds. The constant, salt laden wind that quickly rusts items made from iron, in homes on the East Coast of Trinidad. The currents of air that drive hurricanes westward away from the coast of Africa, the winds used by Christopher Columbus, Sir Walter Raleigh and others to travel across the Atlantic to the New World.
Sea Moss
A seaweed extract that is mixed with milk and sugar to produce a delicious, nourishing cold drink.
Set Ah
Lots of... Ah set ah money - A lot of money. Ah set ah noise - A lot of noise.
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Shac-Shac
Maracas, rattle-like instrument made for a hollow calabash filled with a small quantity of seeds. Used in parang.
Shaddock
Pomelo. A thick skinned and pithed relative of the grapefruit. Candy made from the thick pith of a Pomelo.
Shado Beni
Pungent smelling herb with a similar flavor to coriander. Very popular seasoning, used in many dishes.
Shango
Religious ritual of the Shouter Baptists, celebrated with drumming, vibrant dancing and chanting. The sacrifice of chickens and goats is often used as part of the ritual. Participants and sometimes onlooker's ketch de power, a form of religious ecstasy. Includes some elements of African ritual magic.
Shatwell, Chantuelle, Chanteuse
Old time calypsonian. During the earliest celebrations after emancipation, popular singers called shatwells (Patois "chantuelle" or "chanteuse") would egg on stick fighters and improvise veiled lyrics about unpopular figures. When groups met the shatwells would start a singing "war", with clever and witty barbs directed at the apposing group.
Skin Up
To twist or expose, as in, She skin up she face… nose… leg… mout'.
Silk Fig
Small thick banana with a silky, smooth texture. Must be eaten when completely ripe, otherwise it will tie up yuh mout'.
Soca
The new music of the Caribbean. A modem up-tempo version of calypso created in Trinidad by Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman, the father of soca, also known as Lord Shorty) that is a blend of calypso, African and East Indian rhythms. A fast, jumpy, modern but uniquely Caribbean beat. See David Rudder's Soca description.
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Sometimish
To be moody, can't be counted on.
Soot
Cat call, pisssit!. A rude call usually directed at a woman, made by sucking or blowing air across the teeth and puckered lips.
Sorrel
Deep, red skinned fruit, related to Hibiscus and Okra, the pulp of which is made into a delicious Christmas drink.
Soucouyant (pronounced Soo-coo-yah)
Folklore character: An old hag who sheds her human skin at night and transform into a ball of fire, sucking the blood of her victims while they sleep. Legend has it that if salt is thrown on her skin before she can reenter it, she will die.
Souse
Boiled pig trotters seasoned with pepper, cucumber, onion salt and lime that is often served on Sunday as a late breakfast or brunch.
Sou-Sou
From the Yoruba word "esusu", a cooperative African banking system or way of saving money, where a group of people contribute a monthly sum, each drawing one hand in turn at the agreed upon time.
Stan' Pipe
Public water supply. Standing post with a tap affixed for water distribution that are usually located on the main road in rural areas. Still a very common sight, and the only water supply for many Trinidadians.
Steelband
A steel-pan orchestra, sometimes with over 100 instruments, capable of playing a wide verity of music including classical, pop and of course calypso.
Steel Pan
A melodic percussion instrument originally made from discarded oils drums, first invented in Trinidad during the early 1940s, heard publicly for the first time when Carnival resumed after World War II. See Pan.
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Stick Break In Yuh Ears
Refuses to listen to advise. Stubborn, contrary, disobedient. Trinidad saying, African structure. There are many similar sayings.
String Ban' Ah People
A lot of people. String band is an old term for a carnival band from the days when stringed instruments were used.
Stups
A sound made when air is sucked into the mouth between teeth and lips. A show of disapproval, disdain or disagreement. Also expressed as, Cheups, or to suck yuh teet.
Suck Eye
Very easy, without much effort, as in Dat was suck-eye!
Sugar Cake
Confectionery made from grated coconut and sugar, to which food coloring is added.
Sweet Drink, Soft Drink
Pop, soda, carbonated drink.
Sweet Eye
To give someone a saucy or romantic wink
Sweet Heart
Small Velcro-like, green seeds that stick to socks and other clothing.
Sweetie
Hardy candy.
Sweet Man
A man who is kept by a woman.
Swell Up Yuh Face
To pout, to look angry.
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T |
Tabanca (pronounced Ta-bang-ka)
Love sick. Forlorn. That low feeling you get when a love affair or relationship end abruptly. Word of African origin.
Tail
1: Any non-specific part of the body. Yuh get a lash in yuh tail - You got hit. 2: Hol' yuh tail - Hold your tail means, get lost, go away, don't bother me, or Move yuh tail - get away from me, go away.
Tamarind (pronounced Tam-bran)
Brown crisp, easily broken pods, which contain and extremely acid tasting fleshy covered black seeds. The fleshy covering on the seeds is used to make Tamarind balls.
Tambu Bamboo
Bamboo drum rarely see today. Comes from Congolese word "utambu" meaning 'drum'.
Tanty
Aunty. Tanty, a'nty and uncle, are terms of familiar respect used by children to address adult relatives, family friends and also adults who are not known by name.
Tanya
A root vegetable also eaten in Africa. A ground provision that provides an excellent and nutritious alternative to potato.
Through Waist (pronounced T'row Wais')
The ability to wine well, as in, Dat gyul could t'row wais' - That girl can really wine. See Wine.
Ti Marie
Very low growing shrub, the leaves of which close to exposed thorns when the plant is touched. Very common in open grassy areas.
T'ing, T'ree
Thing and Three. The silent "H". See, de, dem, dat, dis.
Tobago Love
When people who are in love engage in play hitting and fighting, in an effort to hide their true feelings.
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Today-Today
Now. Immediately. Bring it fo' meh today-today - bring it for me now.
Tonnay!
Expression of surprise.
Toolum
One of Trinidad's earliest candies from the days of slavery, made from molasses and grated coconut. Derived from a West African word meaning to "pull out teeth".
Toutoulbay
1: Confused, dazed, gullible. 2: Head over heels in love.
Toute Baghai
Patios meaning, everything, including the kitchen sink.
Toute Monde (pronounced Toot-moon)
Patios meaning, everybody, the entire world, every man jack.
Trace
A track, path or unfinished road. From archaic Middle English, Anglo-French meaning, a course or path someone takes.
Trini
A Trinidadian. Someone born in Trinidad.
Trinidad Time
Anytime. Always late for appointments. Little regard for time, island time.
True-True Fatigue
When fun is made of an embarrassing truth. Being heckled about embarrassing or personal information.
Twenty Four Hours
A lizard, so named because folklore insists that if it lands on your skin it will remain stuck to you for 24 hours, unless it is removed with a hot iron.
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The Trinidad and Tobago Dictionary above is part of a series that provides diverse facts about Trinidad and Tobago, it's linguistic heritage and culture. It's not a scholarly analysis but rather a fun visitor oriented view of some of the verbal idiosyncrasy and common words you can expect when you visit Trinidad and Tobago.
More in-depth information about Caribbean Creoles can be found in Richard Allsopp's "Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage", and Lise Winer's "Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago".
For a lighter book you can try "Cote ce Cote la", a Trinidad and Tobago Dictionary that is sure to provide hours of fun as a souvenir. Your vacation can begin today, right here, right now. Just, kick off your shoes, relax and read on...
Discover diverse facts about Trinidad and Tobago's linguistic heritage in the pages of our Trinidad and Tobago Dictionary. Jump to...
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
