You know many people think "patois" is another language. I can tell you sometimes I do too. However, Patois really is a "broken English." That is the best way I can describe it. Similar to Pidgen English. Patois like many other languages has evolved offer the years.
I found this excellent dictionary to help those traveling or maybe just enjoying the accent (as some folks call it).
I took a couple of common phrases and sayings out. (jamaican dictionary)
"A fi mi gyal dat" Translation: "That is my girl." "Mi gwaan" Translation: "I'm gone" "Whappen" Translation: "What's Happening--What's Up" "Whey yuh want" Translation: "What you wnat?" "What a gwaan sistren?" "What a gwaan bredren?" Translation: "What's going on sister" "What's going on brother" "Mi nuh care" Translation: "I don't care" "Nuh badda watch mi" Translation: "Don't bother watching me" "gi mi a bokkle a wata?" Translation: "Give me a bottle of water" "Lawd ave mercy!" Translation: "Lord have mercy" "Pickney" Translation: "Kid or child" Hey gyal come ya" Translation: "Hey girl come here" "Bwaay mi like yuh still yuh nuh". Translation: "Boy I like you. "Come outta mi yard" Translation: "Get out of my home/house" "Mi luv yuh" Translation: "I love you" "Leggo mi hand" Translation: " Let go of my hand" "Why yuh suh bad minded?" Translation: "Why are you so bad-minded?" "Yuh nuh hear yuh mumma a call yuh?" Translation: "Don't you hear your mother calling you?" "Guh wash yuh face" Translation: "Go and wash your face" "Mi cyaan tell yuh yet" Translation : "I cannot tell you as yet" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No comments:
Post a Comment