Creole
Feb 22nd 2019, 7:56 pm
#1
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Creole
This post was posted on an old thread <snip> , and I think it deserves some attention anyway.
"There is a lot of information online about the etymology of Caribbean Creole Words. Each island has unique words to be sure--and it is important to be aware of some of these as you travel as the meanings of the same Creole word can change depending on island. A good resource would be a dictionary of Caribbean Creole (patwa). An excellent one is the Dictionary of Trinidad and Tobago Creole English. And the classic, "Cote Ci, Cote la" is always a good reference.
As previously stated, a lot of Jamaican patwa slang words have traveled with its culture."
I have to ask the poster ("Mattydread"; I don't know him) when he thinks the word creole should be used, and when patois/patwa. My personal inclination is to use creole only for French-based pidgins, and patois/patwa - despite its origin as a French word! - for English-based pidgins. For others - e.g. Portuguese, Chinese, and others - I like to use the generic word pidgin. My question to you is: is there a general rule about such things? It's a fascinating topic, deserving of some discussion, I believe.
Of course it could be argued that pidgin is a topic more appropriate for The Lounge or some other non-national or non-regional. What do you reckon, Matty?
"There is a lot of information online about the etymology of Caribbean Creole Words. Each island has unique words to be sure--and it is important to be aware of some of these as you travel as the meanings of the same Creole word can change depending on island. A good resource would be a dictionary of Caribbean Creole (patwa). An excellent one is the Dictionary of Trinidad and Tobago Creole English. And the classic, "Cote Ci, Cote la" is always a good reference.
As previously stated, a lot of Jamaican patwa slang words have traveled with its culture."
I have to ask the poster ("Mattydread"; I don't know him) when he thinks the word creole should be used, and when patois/patwa. My personal inclination is to use creole only for French-based pidgins, and patois/patwa - despite its origin as a French word! - for English-based pidgins. For others - e.g. Portuguese, Chinese, and others - I like to use the generic word pidgin. My question to you is: is there a general rule about such things? It's a fascinating topic, deserving of some discussion, I believe.
Of course it could be argued that pidgin is a topic more appropriate for The Lounge or some other non-national or non-regional. What do you reckon, Matty?
Feb 22nd 2019, 8:49 pm
#2
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: Creole
There are many such words. The indians use hinglish to describe the hindu derived words that entered english during the raj, eg bungalow and the phrase going doolally [a place in india with a large mental institution.]
in st lucia, st vincent and grenada, its firmly patois, the words are mainly french derived but spanish, dutch, african dialects and a smattering of highly altered english words make it up. Its also how english words are mashed up to make new ones. This is living language of course, changing by the year, eg everyone in grenada would understand ‘he had a veehickle accident and la qua’ meaning he died. La qua brothers are a big funeral home.
how about ramege - to free oneself up and dance - really trini usage.
in st lucia, st vincent and grenada, its firmly patois, the words are mainly french derived but spanish, dutch, african dialects and a smattering of highly altered english words make it up. Its also how english words are mashed up to make new ones. This is living language of course, changing by the year, eg everyone in grenada would understand ‘he had a veehickle accident and la qua’ meaning he died. La qua brothers are a big funeral home.
how about ramege - to free oneself up and dance - really trini usage.
