I was saved by the bell. Another Jamaican was called in to verify what I was saying is true. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, to carry someone or something is to transport, conduct, or move it from one place to another. This typically implies that something is physically lifted and moved to a new location. Trains carry people to work. Parents carry toddlers in their arms.
But in Jamaica, adults often carry other adults all over the place. We carry them to work. We carry them to a party. We even carry them to the beach.
As a Jamaican by the name of Ava, explained on the first post:. A British person may wrongly assume she can not walk.
It just means we are taking her to the doctor. Most Anglophones only look for things and people that are missing, or not easily found. They look for a missing foot of socks, their lost pets, and the meaning to life. But there is nothing as horrific to most Anglophones as having to look for a friend or family member. Considered an island paradise by many foreigners around the world, high rates of crime and violence on the island is perhaps one of our best kept secrets.
As a tropical island, it goes without saying that Jamaica is a very warm country. We literally only have two seasons: dry and wet. So naturally, jackets are not one of those items you would expect to see often in Jamaican. And yet, we have many! What we refer to as jackets, however, are not the items of clothing you throw on when it gets chilly.
The translation is not a polite term but it was one used when someone suspected the parentage of a child. Needless to say, this is not a word you throw around lightly in Jamaica. Most Anglophones would recognise blouse and skirt as a cute summer outfit for women. This is not equivalent with the F-word, or other hardcore swear words.
Other popular swearing in this category that you might find amusing are rhaatid, roosta peck, and mi backside. The younger generation tends to be more direct. In Jamaican Patois, lick is still used the way it was eons ago, when English-speakers used it to refer to a thrashing or beating. Likely not the kind of misunderstanding that leads to healthy marriages…. There are many different meanings for the word raw , even in English.
Raw can refer to uncooked meat or eggs; or anything still in its natural state, like fabric. It can also refer to a red, painful bruise on the body, or strong emotions. Americans even use it to refer to coarse lyrics in music.
But for Jamaicans, raw is a smell — and a bad one at that. Raw is usually used to describe the scent of eggs, uncooked or spoiling fish, or even blood. Naturally, telling someone they smell like uncooked fish is not a compliment. A second meaning for raw that is allegedly common in Kingston I never heard it myself , is hungry.
One reader, Fitz-Roy Pinnock, pointed out:. Another unexpected word that denotes a bad smell is green. This might be surprising to most other Anglophones, as virtually almost anywhere else, being green is a good thing!
After all, green energy saves the environment. Now this island enjoys a high healthy life expectancy. So the big question for those who think Jamaica is in need of fundamental transformation is this — why should people who are basically content change their lifestyle?
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. Subscribe to our mailing list to get new articles sent to you automatically. Very Good read. Makes me wonder why men especially would laugh at other men when the possibility exists for that to happen to them. Skip to content Blogs. Notify of. Oldest Newest Most Voted. Inline Feedbacks. Crystal Diamond. So many thoughts…. I finally said… And Marcie how, which is really an Asian way of phrasing a question… He said, his voice trailing off as he said good bye… Marcie died of Aids….
I just sat down…on my bags. And I stood there for three hours… Did my friend have Aids as well…. I have not seen him since. I have heard nothing from his children… I have heard nothing from my son yes my son — I did the checks after that, and he wanted to know why And I am sure I will not hear from Marcie. Cooper: This actually has nothing to do with your post, but please read on anyway. It was not so much what you wrote-which was entertaining as usual-that struck me, but rather the comments your piece had attracted.
I salute you, Dr. Cooper, for challenging an attitude to our language that has become pathologically entrenched. Perhaps it would help if you highlighted such works in your column. Maybe you need to directly challenge the endless plans and initiatives the MoE keeps forwarding as innovative. Whatever you do, though, Dr. Chru Wud… There is a saying… When there is nothing to say the best thing is nothing…. So you know your work must continue.. Good Morning I would like to get a copy of your book I heard you on the raido last week when i was in Jamaica.
Sound like it is a great book. Thank you for your interest in the book. Elizabeth, do let me know so I can assist a friend who has questioned for sometime his fatherhood to a child now seven years old. His mother has recently doubted this as well so he is searching for a resource to do assist in this matter. Private doctors can be expensive USD? While in Jamaicas this past winter, I heard a radio public service announcement but was unable to get the contact phone number.
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Notify me of new posts via email. Blog at WordPress. Menu About. Jamiekan Vorzhan: Jakit. Ar Ful Suut? Share this: Facebook More Email Twitter. Like this: Like Loading I rubbished it and said I plan for ten, so what is he trying to do, sneak out of nine of mine!!! I looked around and saw him… Tears is his eyes, none streamming down his face, just a whole lot of water in his eyes, as if waiting for a cued word to do something, anything, quivering lips, and crestfallen looks… Then he said it… They were not mine..
Yes just Marcie… You see Marcie was a mutual friend, also from primary school… And now I always wondered how she had them so quick… And I remember, in our escapades, he was the only one who never walked good and no makka never juk him… So it was strange how he had 5 in such rapid succession… We seemed to have stood there for ages….
I finally said… And Marcie how, which is really an Asian way of phrasing a question… He said, his voice trailing off as he said good bye… Marcie died of Aids… I just sat down…on my bags. And I stood there for three hours… Did my friend have Aids as well… I have not seen him since.
Pingback: in review « Jamaica Woman Tongue. Could someone let me know how I can get this book in the UK? Hello Sydney, Thank you for your interest in the book. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:.
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