I'm American and married to a Trini. Before I met my wife , I thought all islanders sound the same.I could'nt distinguish a Trinidadian from a Jamaican. I know , I know , don't beat me up too bad Trini's. But when the average American hears a West Indian accent. We always assume their Jamaican. I know it's wrong and islanders get offended when this happens. But i'm only speaking from experience. For those that have visited the United States , you all know what I'm talking about. O.K. let me begin. These are some of the expressions and words Trini's use , that help me identify a Trini in the United States.
** Yuh making joke
- I call my brother in law to tell him my unit is deploying to Iraq. He says "yuh making joke , yes.
-I call my wife to tell her Sadam has been captured. She says "yuh making joke , yes.
**Oh Gawsh
Oh Gawsh is usually said when a Trini is annoyed or they say Oh Gawsh after a good laugh or joke.
- Like the first time I tried dancing to Soca. My in laws were on the floor dieing with laugh and saying oh gawsh.
- The first time I ate Curry Chicken and Roti. And I asked "where's my fork and knife " Again I got laughed at and a bunch of oh gawsh's.
- Or when my wife's best friend was watching on tape a Super Blue performance. And his dentures come flying out. He picked them up , put them back in his mouth. And continued to jump up and wave without missing a beat. My wife's friend was on the floor in tears and sayin oh gawsh over and over.
**Boyee
-On a cold day in New Jersey ( Jan ) My brither in law opens the door to get the daily newspaper. He comes back in and says " I staying inside today. It cold out there boyee.
-When I see a Trini friend on the street. They say ay , what going on boyee.
**Bad drive
- My wife's best friend is telling some American friends about a car accident that almost happened to my wife. She said a German lady give she bad drive and almost make me crash.
**Pipe (water faucet)
- My wife yells out to me to turn the pipe off. The bath tub was about to overfill.
If you say these things you are a true Trini. Well I hope i did'nt offend any Trini's ?
my wife and I come from two different cultures and we always poke fun at each other. But like they say, opposites attract.
I know what you mean Alex, I'm a foreigner here too and I heard those expressions every day. What about 'Yuh for real?' or when they steups (spelling?), "Me aint know' 'She told she to get out'.
! My wife says "Yuh for real and Me ain't know" all the time. The funny thing is I've been married to a Trini now for 7 years. I catch myself from time to time using Trini expressions. My wife and American friends have pointed it out to me. At times I don't even notice it. It just comes out.
it is happening to me too! I always ask my husband if I sound too Spanish still and he always ask me why I want to sound like a Trini, is not that I want to sound like a Trini, I just don't want to sound like a foreigner but in any case, I look like one therefore, when I'm out they always notice although some Trinis think I am an Indian :-->
What about 'Yuh dotish or wha?'