Friday 27 February 2015

Superlatives (part 2)


Part 2
In grammar, the superlative is the form of an adverb or adjective that expresses a degree of the adverb or adjective being used that is greater than any other possible degree of the given descriptor.

The absolute superlative is expressed by byen, twòp or tout before the adjective.

Ex 1. Wi monchè, bal maské-a té byen bèl!
     Yes my dear, the masked ball was very beautiful!

Ex 2. Pa di'y zafè'w, nonm-sala ka palé twòp.
         Don't tell him your business, he talks too much.

 Ex 3. Bato-yo tou piti, mwen pa ké achté'y.
          Their boat is too small, I will not buy it.


Sometimes a doubling of the adjective adds force to the superlative.

Ex 1. Yè oswè mwen bité anlè yon bèl bèl fanm.
          Last night I came upon an exceedingly beautiful woman.

Ex 2. Viktò vlé bati yon gwo gwo kay.
         Victor wants to build a huge house.

Ex. 3 Pinèz sé bèt ki piti piti.
        Bedbugs are very small insects.

Thursday 26 February 2015

Superlatives (Part 1)


Part 1
In grammar, the superlative is the form of an adverb or adjective that expresses a degree of the adverb or adjective being used that is greater than any other possible degree of the given descriptor.

The determiner for Trinidad French Creole superlative is 'pli'.

The ten Trinidad French Creole superlatives that you must memorize are:

1. pli gwo - biggest

2. pli bon - best

3. pli bèl - most beautiful

4. pli piti - smallest

5. pli fò - strongest

6. pi fasil - easiest

7. pli dous - sweetest

8. pli bon - best

9. pli mové - worst


10. pli cho - hottest (has nothing to do with the word 'sexy hot')


The superlative is formed in the same way as the comparative, and must be deduced from the context of the sentence.

e.g. Pli bèl wòb mwen pa janmen wè. 
      The prettiest dress I've ever seen.

Often the superlative is expressed by a relative phrase containing the comparative with the phrase "pasé tout" added.

e.g. Doudou, ou  jòlòt pasé tout lézòt-la.
      Honey, you're cuter than all the others.

 For superlatives, the order usually goes like this:  pli + modifier + article

When the superlative adjectives modify a noun in Trinidad French Creole, if that adjective is of the group which usually come after the noun, then the best way to translate that sentence is to add the relative pronoun 'ki' before 'pli'.


Examples with adjectives that usually come BEFORE the noun in Trinidad French Creole.

The most beautiful - pli bèl la.
The most beautiful gem - pli bèl bijou a.
The most beautiful gem - bijou ki pli bèl la.

The eldest - pli gwan an.
The eldest boy - pli gwan gason an.
The eldest boy - gason ki pli gwan an.

The tiniest - pli piti a.
The tiniest atom - pli piti atonm lan.
The tiniest atom - atonm ki pli piti a.


Examples with adjectives that usually come AFTER the noun in Trinidad French Creole.

The white teeth - dan blan an.
The whitest teeth - dan ki pli blan an.

The sweetest - pli dous la.
The sweetest kiss - bo ki pli dous la

The shortest - pli kout la
The shortest class - klas ki pli kout-la.

The most wicked - pli méchan an.
The most wicked devil - djab ki pli méchan an.

Konpè makak épi wèv-li

Konpè makak épi wèv-li

Story written by Claude THÉVENAZ
English Translation provided by Marvel Alves Henry


Konpè Makak té ka westé an bitasyon épi madam li épi sis yich li. Bagay té timyet wèd koté yo, piski yo pa té ka twavay. Anik Makak té ka fè ti jaden i. Madam li té ka westé an kay-la pou òtjipé sé mamay la. Yon swè, lè Makak té ka dòmi, i wèvé yon bel ti wèv. I wèvé i sété yon rwa ki té ni an pil lajan, épi li ék fami i té ka westé adan yon bèl gwo kay.

Makak té kontan!

Padan Makak té an somèy la, i kwè sa té vwé, pis i pa té sav sété yon wev. Mé lè Makak lévé lidémin èk i wè sa pavwè, sété anik yon wèv, i té faché tou bònman.
I alé oti Bondyé lamem. Lè i wivé i di:

Konpè Makak: Bonjou, Bondyé.
Bondyé: Bonjou, Makak, kouman ou yé?
Konpè Makak: Mwen byen, mé mwen ti myet faché.
Bondyé: Sa ki wivé ou?
Konpè Makak: Bondyé, kité mwen di ou sa : ki mannyè fè wèv pa ka vwé? Mwin té kay kontan si lè mwen wèvé yon bagay, i té kay fèt vwé.
Bondyé: O, sé sa ki fè ou faché a? Eben, alé dòmi èk mwen kay fè sa ou kay wèvé a fèt vwé.
Alò, Makak alé lakay li. I té kontan!

Jou sala, avan i té siz-è òswè, Makak té ja mété pidjama épi i alé dòmi pou i té sa wèvé, piski i té kwè i té kay wèvé yon lòt bèl ti wèv. Mé awa! Kou sala, Makak wèvé i té kay mò démen matin a wit-è!

Li démen matin, lè Makak lévé i té siz-è. Makak té twè twis. I anik pwè pati kouwi oti Bondyé, i pa té memm ni tan tiwé pidjama i. I kouwi, i kouwi, pas la té byen lwen ék i pa té vlé wit-è pwan i an chimeb. Lè i wivé, i té ka fè dé minit pou wit-è èk Makak té ka ésouflé.

I hélé :
Misyé Bondyé, Misyé Bondyé! Ou sé yon gwan Pè. Tou sa ou fè bon. Pa fè wev vwé, souplé, souplé! Mwen ka mandé ou, pa jamen fè wev vwé.

Bondyé koumansé wi épi i di Makak :

Ki sa ou wèvé yè òswè a?
Makak wakonté i.

Bondyé di :
Twè byen, mwen kay kouté ou ; mwen kay kité wèv menm kon ja yè a. Alò, ou pa kay mò ankò.


Makak té kontan épi i di :
Mèsi an pil, Bondyé.
Epi i alé lakay li.


Dépi apwé jou sala, Makak apwan yon lison. Lison-an sé sa: Bondyé konnet tout bagay épi tou sa i fè byen bon.

-----------------------------------------------------------


English Translation 

Br'er Monkey and his dream

Monkey used to live in the countryside with his wife and six children. Things were a bit hard for them because they were not working. Only monkey used to tend his garden. His wife stayed at home to raise the children. One night, when monkey was sleeping, he had a nice dream. He dreamed that he was a king who had lots of money and he and his family were living in a big house.

Monkey was happy!
While monkey was asleep, he believed what he dreamt, because he did not know it was a dream. But when awoke the following day, and he saw that it was not true, that it was only a dream, he was really angry.

He went to God right away. When he got there he said:

Konpè Makak: Hello, God.
God: Hello, monkey, how are you?
Konpè Makak: I'm ok, but I'm a little upset.
God: What happened to you?
Konpè Makak: God, let me tell you, what makes dreams not true? I would be happy if when I dream something, it came true.

God: Oh, that is what made you upset? Well, go to sleep and I will make your dreams come true.
So, monkey went to his house. He was happy! That day, before it was 6 o'clock in the evening, monkey had already put on his pyjamas and he went to sleep so that he could dream, because he thought he would dream another nice dream. But no! From that moment, monkey dreamed that he would die tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.!


The following morning, when monkey awoke it was 6 o'clock. Monkey was very sad, he made haste running to God; he did not even have time to take off his pyjamas. He ran and ran because it was very far and he did not want 8 o'clock to meet him still on the road. When he arrived, it was 2 minutes to 8 o'clock and monkey was gasping for air.
He called out:

---- Sir God, Sir God! You are a great father. All that you do is good. Don't make dreams true, please, please! I am asking you, don't ever make dreams true.
God started to laugh and he told monkey:
 What did you dream last night?
Monkey told him and God said:

 Very well, I'll listen to you, I'll change dreams back to the way they were, so you won't die any more.
Monkey was happy and he said:
-- Thanks a lot, God!
And then he returned to his house, since that day, monkey learned a lesson. The lesson is this

"God knows everything and everything that He does is very good and for our benefit."


Source of story


Wednesday 18 February 2015

Traditions, magic, spirits, obeah, religion (Kwéyòl glossary)

Traditions, magic, spirits, obeah, religion

Trinidad and Tobago 

(Kwéyòl glossary)



1. Ala: The name of God, as He is known in Arabic and in Islam.
2. Abo-abouké: Short hunchbacked people who live on the far side of the sun
3. Ababo: Yodel used to welcome Orishas [Yoruba gods]
4. Ado: A small calabash used for making magical potions and powders
5. Awobobo: Howl used to banish evil and bring good luck to the home
6. Andjabé: Said of someone who is possessed by a devil
7. Angajé: Said of someone who has made a pact with Satan
8. Bazil: Death personified
9. Boubou: Goblin-like creature; will punish greedy persons
10. Bolonm: The spirit of an aborted child
11. Ben fèy: A herbal bath, thought to bring good luck and remove back magic
12. Benni: To bless
13. Benni kò: A prayer performed over the body of a Catholic
14. Bennédiksyon: Blessing
15. Bèlzibòb: Beelzebub
16. Bon: Good
17. Bondyé: God [general term]
18. Bondyé Bwa: Any wooden idol
19. Bondyé Zendyen: Any Hindu God
20. Bongo: Dance for the dead
21. Bwa Sòlèy: Son of Papa Bois and Ti-Marie
22. Démou: Demon
23. Diviné: To foretell supernaturally
24. Divinè: Seer [man]
25. Divinèz: Seer [woman]
26. Chapèl: Chapel, Sanctuary
27. Chaplé: Rosary
28. Choubichou: A kind of talisman
29. Chouval: A person used by an Orisha
30. Danmbala: A serpent God worshipped by the Rada community [Belmont, Trinidad]
31. Doktè-fèy: Leaf doctor, anyone who heals with herbs and other plants
32. Dèy: Mourning
33. Djab 1: A character who appears in Creole folk-tales as a well-dressed European man
34. Djab 2: The traditional devil with horns, a tail and a pitch fork
35. Djab molasi: Demons who haunt sugar plantations; they represent the spirits of slaves who died on the plantation
36. Dwenn: The spirits of children who died before being baptised; their feet are turned backward
37. Ébadi: Love potion given to a woman
38. Fè mal: To do evil, harm supernaturally
39. Fèt Lanmò: The Feast of All Souls
40. Fowmajé: Silk Cotton Tree; it is believed that spirits live in these trees
41. Gadkò: Talisman to protect against witchcraft 
42. Gadzafè: Soothsayer
43. Gajè: Witch
44. Gajé: Witchcraft; to practise witchcraft
45. Govi: A magical calabash that has power to trap a soul
46. Glo benni: Holy water
47. Gwan Mèt: (Judeo-Christian) God 
48. Iyélé: A love potion given to a man
49. Jan: John the apostle 
50. Jédi Sen: Holy Thursday
51. Jété Glo: Libation ritual for ancestors or gods
52. Jès: A supernatural action
53. Jézi: Jesus
54. Jézi Kwi: Jesus the Christ
55. Jozèf: Joseph, Jesus' earthly father
56. Kadavi: Zombie, the animated dead
57. Kalvè: Calvary
58. Katéchis: Catechism
59. Katolik: Roman Catholic
60. Konfésè: Confessor [Catholic] (see Padwé)
61. Kònn lanbi: Conch horn, the sounding of horn announced a death in the area
62. Kwa: Cross (Variant: Lakwa)
63. Kwétyen: Christian
64. Kwibo: The snake that guards Maman Glo's pool; there is a large coloured gem on its head
65. Labib: Bible (Variant: Bib)
66. Labé: Priest
67. Labèt: The Beast [Book of Revelation]
68. Labé zendyen: Hindu priest
69. Ladjablès: A female seducing spirit with a cloven right foot (variant: Djablès)
70. Lafimé: A smoke ceremony to remove evil from the home
71. Lafwa: Faith
72. Lasiwenn: Mermaid 
73. Lanfè: Hell
74. Lanmen nwè: Said of someone who practices witchcraft [black hand]
75. Lanmen sal: Said of someone who practices witchcraft [dirty hand]
76. Lanmès: A Catholic mass
77. Lanmò: Death
78. Lapwiyè: Prayer
79. Lasimen-sent: Holy Week
80. Latousen: The Feast of All Saints
81. Lavéyé: Wake for the dead
82. Lavèj: The Virgin Mary
83. Légliz: Church
84. Lé Sen: The saints [collective name for Yoruba gods]
85. Lévanjil: The Holy Scriptures (literally, gospels)
86. Lèspwi: Any spirit
87. Lèspwi Bondyé: The Holy Spirit
88. Lifis: God the Son [Jesus]
89. Lipap: The Pope
90. Lipè: God the Father [YHVH] (See Papa Bondyé)
91. Lisentèspwi: The Holy Spirit
92. Louk: Luke The evangelist [Bible]
93. Lougawou: Werewolf
94. Nòtsenyè: Lord (Variant: Senyè)
95. Mabouyazé: To curse supernaturally
96. Mal: Evil
97. Malédiksyon: Jinx
98. Malfètè: Sorcerer
99. Malfètèz: Sorceress
100. Malfètaj: Sorcery
102. Maji: Witchcraft, magic 
101. Maman Glo: A female water spirit with a serpentine lower body
102. Maman Malad: The spirits of women who have died in childbirth; they cry continually at night
103. Manman Latè: A local Orisha, earth goddess [Trinidad]
104. Mawé: To bewitch someone [literally means ''to tie'']
105. Mawé wanga: Any spell cast to insure fidelity
106. Mèkwédi Sann: Ash Wednesday
107. Mawi: Mary, mother of Jesus
108. Miwak: Miracle
109. Modi: To curse supernaturally
110. Modisyon: Curse
111. Monsenyè: Church Bishop
112. Mongba: An Orisha priestess 
113. Omo-glo: Water spirits who appear in the form of children
114. Owéson: Ritualistic prayer to Catholic saints
115. Papa Bwa: A male spirit, guardian of the forest 
116. Pè: Priest
117. Péché: Sin, to sin
118. Péchè: Sinner
119. Piyè: Peter the apostle 
120. Pòl: Paul the apostle
121. Pwèt: Priest
122. Pwèzbitè: Rectory
123. Pyay: To hex
124. Pwiyé / pwédyé: To pray
125. Pyayè: worker of black magic
126. Tjenbwa: Obeah
127. Tjenbazè: worker of black magic
128. Twavay di sen: Orisha spiritual work
129. Satan: Satan, The Devil
130. Sèvis Lé Sen: Orisha worship service
131. Soukouyan: A female vampire, who sheds her skin at night and flies in a ball of fire. 
132. Sosyè: Witch
133. Syèl: Heaven
134. Vyé Lèspwi: Any evil spirit
135. Yawé: Yahweh: The name of God [Judaism], The name of God the father [Christianity]
136. Zafi: Fairy 
137. Zanj: Angel
138. Zapòt: Apostle 

Monday 16 February 2015

Word of the the day - Mo pou jòdi-a


Ou pa sa konté tout sé zétwal-la.
(oo pah sah cohn-tay toot say zay-twahl lah)

You can't count all of the stars.

Gospel according to John 1 chapter, verses 1-9



Liv Bon Nouvèl Jan té ékwi a
The Gospel According to John
First chapter, verses 1-9




Pwèmyé chapit, vèwsé 1-9 



1 Avan Bondyé té fè ayen, pawòl-la té ja la. Pawòl-la té èvè Bondyé, épi pawòl-la sé té Bondyé 

2 Pawòl-la té la èvè Bondyé dépi nan koumansman-an. 

3 Bondyé fè tout bagay èvè pawòl-la, adan tout sa ki té fèt, pa ni ayen ki fèt san pawòl-la. 

4 Lavi-a sé nan li té yé, sé lavi-sala ki bay tout moun limyè. 

5 Limyè té kléwé adan fenwè-a mé fenwè-a pa té wékonnèt li.

6 Bondyé té voyé an nonm yo ka kwiyé Jan, 

7 li sé té yon témwen pou palé asou limyè-a, li té vini pou palé ba tout moun, pou yo tann mésaj-li épi kwè an mésaj-la i té ka palé a. 

8 Sé pa li menm ki té limyè-a, li té vini pou sèvi kon an témwen pou palé asou limyè-a.

9 Limyè sala, sé li ki limyè toubon an. Sé li menm ki vini asou latè-a ka kléwé ba tout moun.


First chapter, verses 1-9


1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

2 The same was in the beginning with God. 

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true light, which lighteth every man which cometh into the world.

Sunday 15 February 2015

Song of the day - Chanté pou jòdi-a

Song of the day - Chanté pou jòdi-a

Si mwen cho - If I'm drunk

Kwéyòl Sent Lisyen - Saint Lucian Creole


Si mwen cho, kay mété mwen kouché...  
Si mwen cho, kay mété mwen kouché...  
Si mwen cho, kay mété mwen kouché... 
Si mwen cho, mété'm lasou kouch maman-mwen!
----
Gadé mwen-menm, mannyè mwen mal tonbé!
Gadé mwen-menm, mannyè mwen mal kouché!
Gadé mwen-menm, mannyè mwen mal chansé!
Si mwen cho, mété'm lasou kouch maman-mwen!
----
la la la la
la la la la
la la la la
la la la la
-----
Jou-a wivé, mwen kay chanté la...
òswè-a wivé, maman-mwen kay chanté...
Jou-a wivé, wi mwen kay chanté la... 
Si mwen cho, mété'm lasou kouch maman-mwen!
----
Wi si mwen cho, kay mété mwen dòmi..
Wi si mwen cho, kay mété mwen kouché
Wi si mwen cho, kay mété mwen dòmi...
Si mwen cho mété'm lasou kouch maman-mwen!

Thursday 12 February 2015

Speaking about the day

Speaking about the day

Day
Jou
zhoo

Today 
Jòdi-a
zhau-dee ah

All day.  
Tout lajouné.
toot lah-zhoo-nay

Every day.
Chak jou / Toulé jou.
shak zhou / too-lay zhou

Broad daylight.  
Gwan lajouné. 
gwah lah-zhoo-nay

During the day.
Pandan jouné-a. 
pahn-dahn zhoo-nay-a

How is you day going? 
Kouman jouné ou yé? 
coo-mah zhoo-nay oo yay

How was your day? 
Kouman jouné ou yé? 
coo-mah zhoo-nay oo tay yay

I had a bad day.
Mwen pasé yon mové jou / jouné.
mweh pah-say yoh moh-vay zhoo / zhoo-nay

I had a good day.
Mwen pasé yon bon jou.
mwen pasé yoh bon zhoo

What day is today?
Ki jou jòdi-a yé?
kee zhoo zhau-dee ah yay

Today is Thursday.
Jòdi-a sé Jédi.
zhau ah say  zhay-dee

This present day.
Jouné jòdi-a / jòdijou.
zhoo-nay zhau-dee ah / zhau-dee-zhoo



Sunday 8 February 2015

How to speak in the Past Tense [It's very Easy]

Past Perfect tense



The PAST PERFECT TENSE indicates that an action was completed (finished or "perfected") at some point in the past before something else happened. This tense is formed with the past tense form of "to have" (HAD) plus the past participle of the verb (which can be either regular or irregular in form):

I had walked two miles by lunchtime.
I had run three other marathons before entering the Boston Marathon


If you ever took Spanish or French in school, you're more than likely hate the word conjugation. Right?

GOOD NEWS, the beautiful language of Patois (also known as Trinidadian French Creole) does not conjugate its verbs, or in other words the verbs don't change depending on time or condition. Even English conjugates its verbs.

Example: I talk / Yesterday I talked

So how does one speak using the past perfect tense in Trinidadian French Creole / Patois?

It’s as EASY as “” (sounds like tay)

Yes, just those 2 letters!

By SIMPLY adding this word “before any verb, it makes the sentence past tense.

Even though in English we typically speak in the past tense by adding “ed” at the end of a word, the creole word “” is easier to remember by relating it to the English word “had”.

Examples:

1. Mwen palé = I had talked / I talked
2. Mwen wè = I had seen / I saw
3. Mwen manjé = I had eaten / I ate
4. Mwen kouté = I had listened / I listened 
5. Ou kwéyé = You [singular] had created / you created


So my friends, now you know how to speak in the Past Perfect Tense.


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  • Saturday 7 February 2015

    Song of the day - Chanté pou jòdi-a

    Song of the day - Chanté pou jòdi-a

    M'asire'm nan Kris - I assure myself in Christ

    KREYÒL AYISYEN - HAITIAN CREOLE



     M’asire’m nan Kris... I assure myself in Christ
    Mwen jwenn sekirite ....I find safety
    M’asire’m nan Kris.... I assure my self in Christ
    Sitiyasyon lavi m chanje.... My life's situation has changed

    Jezi s’on bon zanmi.... Jesus is a good friend
    Ki pa janm lage m nan wout.... Who will never abandon me
    Menm si tout moun kite m.... Even if everybody else leaves me
    Li toujou la pou li ede m.... He's always there to help me
    Genyen yon fwa m te santi m sèl... One time, I felt all alone
    Mwen te fin dekouraje.... I was discouraged
    Tèlman gwo van yo t’ap soufle.... because of the violent storm
    Jezi te toujou la pou li ede m.... Jesus was always there to help me

    Pafwa se dyab rasyal.... Sometimes it's the devil from our roots
    Pafwa se pòch mawon.... Sometimes it's a crook
    Pafwa se bon zanmi.... Sometimes it's a good friend
    Ki pa vle wè m pwogrese.... That doesn't want me to progress
    Pafwa gen lòt ki di.... Sometimes other people say
    Ou menm ou pa janm anyen.... You will never be anything
    Yon sèl bagay mwen konnen.... One thing I know
    Dosye m nan nan men Jezi Kri.... My file/dossier in Jesus Christ's hands

    Zanmi m, si w gen pwoblèm... My friend, if you're troubled
    Ou santi w dekouraje... You feel discouraged
    Tout pòt fèmen pou ou... All doors are closed to you
    Pa gen pèsòn ki pou ede w... There's no one who can help you
    Si doktè kondane w... If the doctor's have condemned you
    Si ou pa gen lavi... If there's no hope of life
    Tout moun pèdi espwa.... Everyone has lost hope
    Ou mèt vin asire w nan kris.... You may assure yourself in Christ

    Asire w nan Kris... Assure yourself in Christ
    Wa jwenn sekirite.. You will find safety
    Asire w nan Kris.. Assure yourself in Christ
    Wa wè sitiyasyon w chanje... You situation will change

    M’asire m… I assure myself
    Nan Jezi m’asire m... In Jesus I assure myself

    Gen lavi… There's life
    Nan Jezi lavi.... In Jesus there's life

    Gen sante… There's health
    Nan Jezi gen sante... In Jesus there's health

    Gen lanmou.... There's love
    Nan Jezi gen lanmou.... In Jesus there's love

    Jezi..., Jezi..., Jezi... Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
    Yaweh…, Yaweh..., Yaweh... Yahweh, Yahweh, Yahweh
    El Shaddai…, El Shaddai..., El Shaddai...

    Sa jezi fè pou mwen.... What Jesus had done for me
    M pa ka kite L……. I can't leave Him

    Thank you Jesus

    Thank you Jesus!

    Thank you Jesus.
    Mèsi Jézi.
    (meh-see zhay-zee)

    Give God glory.
    Bay Bondyé laglwa.
    (bai bonjay lag-lwah)

    Praise the Lord!
    Glowifyé Létènèl!
    (glo-weef-yay lay-teh-nel)

    Blessed be the name of the Lord!
    Non Bondyé benni!
    (noh bonjay-beh-nee)

    Let us praise him.
    Annou glowifyé'y.
    (an-nou glo-weef-yay ee)

    His name is holy!
    Non'y sen!
    (noh ee seh)

    He is the Alpha and Omega.
    Li sé Alfa èk Oméga.
    (lee say al-fah ehk o-may-gah)

    He is the first and the last.
    Li sé pwèmyé èk Denyè.
    (lee say pwehm-yay ehk deh-yeh)

    Let us bow down and worship him.
    Annou koubé pou adowé'y.
    (an-nou coo-bay poo ah-doh-way ee)

    Give thanks to the Lord for his goodness.
    Di Bondyé mèsi pou bonté'y.
    (dee bon-jay meh-see poo boh-tay ee)

    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
    Di Bondyé mèsi, pas li bon.
    (dee bon-jay meh-see pas lee boh)

    Come before him with a joyful heart.
    Vini douvan li épi yon tjè ki kontan.
    (vee-nee doo-vah lee ai-pee yoh shay kee koh-tah)

    Sing to the Lord!
    Chanté ba Bondyé!
    shan-tay bah bonjay)

    Jesus saves.
    Jézi ka sové.
    (zhay-zee cah soh-vay)


    God loves me (English and Creole / Patois)

    God loves me (English and Creole / Patois)



    God loves me.
    Bondyé enmen mwen. (Creole)
    Bonjay eh-meh mweh

    God loves you. [singular you]
    Bondyé enmen ou. (Creole)
    Bonjay eh-meh oo

    Jesus loves me.
    Jézi enmen mwen. (Creole)
    zhay-zee eh-meh mweh

    Jesus loves you. [singular you]
    Jézi enmen ou. (Creole)
    zhay-zee eh-meh oo

    Friday 6 February 2015

    Saying Let's (let us) in Trinidadian Kwéyòl

    In Trinidad French Creole, saying Let's or Let us do something is very straightforward, The word Annou (ahn-noo) is placed before the verb. Most people say Annou but you will also find that some people contract the word and just say Ann.

    ===

    1. Annou /Ann palé ba yo.
       Let's speak to them.

    2. Annou /Ann chanté ansanm épi'y.
       Let's sing together with him.

    3. Annou / Ann sispann goumen.
        Let's stop fighting.

    4. Annou / Ann vansé.
       Let's go forward.

    5. Annou / Ann pa gadé dèyè.
        Let's not look back.

    6. Annou / Ann désann an vil.
        Let's go into town.

    7. Annou / Ann fè yon sòti òswè-a.
        Let's go on a date tonight.

    8. Annou / Ann glowifyé Senyè-a!
        Let's praise the Lord!

    9. Annou / Ann pa pèdi lafwa.
        Let's not loose faith.

    10. Annou / Ann pa bay yo an lokazyon pou akizé nou.
          Let's not give them an opportunity to accuse us.

    11. Annou / Ann fè lanmou.
          Let's make love.

    Word of the day - Mo pou jòdi-a


    Word of the day - Mo pou jòdi-a



    Di papa'w an ti miyèt lay byen bon pou santé'y.
    (dee pa-paw ahn tee mee-yet lai byeh bon poo san-tay ee)

    Tell you father that a little garlic is good for his health.

    Sunday 1 February 2015

    Saying there is / there are

    There is / there are
    i ni
    (ee nee)
    ==
    or you can also say:
     la ni
    (la nee) <-- I usually say "i ni"
    ===

    There was: 

    i té ni
    (ee tay nee)
    ==
    or you can also say:
     la té ni (la tay nee)
    ===
    There will be:
    la ké ni
    (la kai nee)
    or you can also say:
     i ké ni (la kay nee)

    In Order To
    Pou (poo)


    In order to = pou (poo)

    Example using There is / there are : LA NI OR I NI

    I ni anpil moun ki pa enmen manjé vyann
    There are many people who don't like to eat meat. 

    Example using There was: LA TÉ NI OR I TÉ NI

    La té ni an gwo bitasyon anlè mòn-lan 
    There was a big estate on the hill.

    Example using there will be: LA KÉ NI OR I KÉ NI

    Boug, la ké ni bon bèl fanm adan fèt-sala! 
    There will be lots of beautiful women in that party, man!

    Example using "in order to": Pou

    An tan lontan, moun té ka pwan bato pou wivé Toko.
     Long ago people used to take boats in order to reach Toco (Trinidad).

    I have to (must) buy a NEW BED, IN ORDER TO sleep well:
    Mwen ni pou achté yon KABANN NÈF, POU mwen sa dòmi byen.

    I am covering the food, in order to prevent the dog from eating it.
    Mwen ka kouvè manjé-a, pou anpéché chyen-an manjé'y.