Word Play

Language is a funny thing, no? A few words can convey so much. Here are some of my favorite phrases I've heard and or learned so far.

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Essential Kreyol for the Countryside (Those of you who know Kreyol, forgive the spelling!)

Kr:

"Ou mache?"
"Wi, m mache."

Eng:

"Are you out for a walk?"
"Yes, I'm out for a walk."

This exchange occurs with each person you pass, whether they're out on the road, too, or in their yard.

Kr:

"W'ap banye?"
"Wi, m'ap banye."

Eng:

"Are you taking a bath?"
"Yes, I'm taking a bath."

This exchange occurs with each person who passes by while you bathe in the river.

Kr:

"Ai! Anpil labu!"
"Wi, anpil labu."

Eng:

"Wow. You're really muddy."
"Yes, I'm very muddy."

Somehow Haitians are able to walk through mud without getting muddy. I am not.

Kr:

"M pa rele Este. Este se lot blan."

Eng:

"My name is not Esther. Esther is the other white person who lives here."

This was my response to the children who called out "Esther" each time I walked past. Esther is one of the MCCers in Dezam. I think they have adopted her name as another word for "blan" or "white person."

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I chuckle (for lack of other healthy response) that in my Kreyol book's listing on "Common Creole Verbs" it has the translations for "Assassinate," "Over Throw," "Arrest," "Decree," alongside "Hope."

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Conversation of the week:

Bethany: "Wow, Lindsay! What happened to your legs?"

Me, looking down at my legs: "Huh? What? Where?"

Bethany, the look of horror increasing on her face: "Are those ALL mosquito bites???"

Me: "Oh, yeah, mosquito and some other type of bug they have in the mountains."

Marylynn, shaking her head: "Oh my goodness. Do you remember how beautiful Lindsay's legs were when she came?"

-L