f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
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It’s a<br />
Trini Thing<br />
Talk de Talk<br />
Illustration by Keith Anderson<br />
by Sheldon Waithe<br />
“Dis man mamaguy me <strong>and</strong> cause one set <strong>of</strong> bacchanal, leaving me<br />
feeling like a real cunumunu!” To the uninitiated, this statement looks<br />
like a few bits <strong>of</strong> English mixed with excerpts from another language;<br />
to those accustomed to such language, it still appears strange when<br />
seen in print. This departure from the st<strong>and</strong>ard English language is<br />
our T&T dialect. One <strong>of</strong> the beauties <strong>of</strong> the Caribbean is the stark<br />
differences that exist between isl<strong>and</strong>s in such proximity <strong>and</strong> this very<br />
much applies to the vernacular <strong>of</strong> each isl<strong>and</strong>—the colloquialisms<br />
form the culture <strong>of</strong> each nation, more striking than the l<strong>and</strong>scape,<br />
food <strong>and</strong> music. Mix in the various accents <strong>and</strong> it’s enough to confuse<br />
even the locals!<br />
<strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>’s dialect is derived from its rich <strong>and</strong> varied<br />
history, incorporating the Spanish, French <strong>and</strong> English colonial<br />
influences <strong>and</strong> it goes against anything taught in school regarding<br />
singular mixed with plural, past versus present tense <strong>and</strong> a host <strong>of</strong><br />
other grammar parameters.<br />
Where else would two separate languages <strong>of</strong> French <strong>and</strong> English<br />
be combined to emphasise a simple “yes” with the commonly used<br />
reply, “Yeah Oui” However, not everything is exp<strong>and</strong>ed or duplicated,<br />
Trinbagonians usually take the shortcut option in their dialect, opting<br />
for one word that could sum up a whole sentence. Thus, a vaps<br />
explains someone suddenly behaving in a manner different to the<br />
norm. The description that one is involved in ting insinuates that<br />
the person is involved in any number <strong>of</strong> questionable activities but<br />
perhaps gets the accuser <strong>of</strong>f the hook for sl<strong>and</strong>er.<br />
While the latter at least provides some comprehension as to<br />
what is meant, most <strong>of</strong> the slang in T&T can be a complete disparity<br />
between the words <strong>and</strong> their meaning, in short, not so much dialect<br />
as a language <strong>of</strong> its own—a jook is a poke which can be part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
courting process where a boy likes a girl <strong>and</strong> will constantly touch her<br />
for attention. If the girl resists his advances leaving him melancholy,<br />
this results in a tabanca <strong>of</strong>ten used among friends to “wild” or ridicule<br />
the victim…the act <strong>of</strong> giving picong. Picong is vital as it is a mainstay<br />
<strong>of</strong> most groups <strong>of</strong> friends <strong>and</strong> family in T&T; the ability to take picong<br />
dished out daily in all manner <strong>of</strong> dialect is a core value for the Trini,<br />
you have to be able to laugh at yourself or you will be accused <strong>of</strong><br />
being “thin skin.”<br />
But it is in the delivery <strong>of</strong> the T&T dialect where the most emphasis<br />
occurs. An already expressive parlance is further accentuated by<br />
our insistence on “speaking with the h<strong>and</strong>s.” A good story laden<br />
with slang is useless unless matched with enough gesticulations<br />
that makes one appear to be guiding a plane on an airport tarmac.<br />
A snap, flick <strong>of</strong> the wrist, allayed to sound effects like pow (a shot)<br />
bradam (crash) <strong>and</strong> whistles, paints as clear a picture as any movie…<br />
even if typically, the story changes with each telling. The easier slangs<br />
are derived from the simple substitution <strong>of</strong> letters, thus most people<br />
have their favourite Tanty, a much more affectionate term than Aunty.<br />
This Tanty will regale you with stories <strong>of</strong> all manner <strong>of</strong> local folklore,<br />
which in itself is a language within the dialect comprising Douens,<br />
Soucouyants <strong>and</strong> Papa Bois; a clear indication <strong>of</strong> the heavy French<br />
influence upon the way we speak.<br />
Confused As with any language, it is best that you immerse<br />
yourself into the society for the best grasp <strong>of</strong> the T&T dialect, though<br />
have no fear, you will grasp it sooner than you think. And in case<br />
you’re wondering, that opening sentence roughly translated is, “The<br />
man tricked me <strong>and</strong> caused a lot <strong>of</strong> confusion, leaving me feeling like<br />
a fool.” Sounds better in T&T dialect, no<br />
38<br />
The <strong>Ins</strong> & <strong>Outs</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>