Belizean creole phrases

Before you visit, have some fun with learning a few phrases of Creole to feel right at home.

Officially, the language of Belize is English. Unofficially, it is Belize Kriol. In the melting pot of culture that is Belize, Kriol is both a people and a language, spoken by nearly all people that call this place home. It is a mixture of British English and West African dialects, originating in the mahogany slave camps in the 17 th century. Over time, it has grown to be the first language that most Belizeans speak at home, though English is taught in school. Why not try to pick up a few phrases?

Belizean creole phrases

Whilst planning your Belize vacation you research about the country to give you a feel for what to expect. You spend a few minutes of the day looking at the Hamanasi website as you daydream about sitting on the beach as the Caribbean waters gently inch closer to your sandy toes with every passing wave. Anticipation is mounting with every click of the mouse! You remember reading somewhere that Belize is multicultural and its official language is English, which is great as it makes for easy communication! But did you know that there is an English Creole language spoken by the locals in every corner of the country? So if you find yourself in Belize for the first time or even the th time, a great way to enjoy this multicultural land is to pick up a few popular Kreol slangs! Practise while still at home so you can have fun with them when you finally get here! Stop Bav English interpretation: Stop being scared Proper use: When you are adrenaline pumped to rappel down the waterfall but the person in front of you is having second thoughts. You would address this by saying: Hey, come on, get going and stop bav!!! Ketch feelings English interpretation: To take it personally Proper use: When something is said in jest that upsets someone else. This is addressed the following way: Perhaps the jokes were a bit too much, it looks like she ketch feelings! Go Soh! English interpretation: Go away! Proper use: This is what you say when someone or something is bothering you. Try fi me English translation: You must be kidding Proper use: someone just said something outrageous about a situation or about you, your reply would be: Wait, what?

Over time, efforts were made to ensure that Kriol was properly studied, belizean creole phrases, written, and recorded as a language, thanks to the National Kriol Council, created in to promote all aspects of the Creole culture.

One of these languages is practically the pillar of Belizean kulcha culture. Often debated as whether it should be considered an official language, the Kriol dialect is nonetheless widely — and proudly — spoken throughout the country, from the villages in the north to the cities on the coast. If you truly wish to blend in like a local — and impress your touristy friends — here are eight Kriol phrases to get under your belt before your visit to Belize. As a bonus, here are four Kriol sayings similar to popular well-known proverbs. Belize is getting even better all the time. Keep up with the latest events, news and activities happening here by subscribing to our newsletter.

Before you visit, have some fun with learning a few phrases of Creole to feel right at home. The Kriol are descendants from African slaves. Namely, workers on the mahogany camps, logging farms, and sugar plantations owned by the so-called Baymen. Baymens were English and Scottish settlers of British Honduras. Over the centuries, they intermarried with the Mestizos, Maya, Garifuna, East Indian, and other cultural groups to Belize. Like most patois throughout the Caribbean, Kriol is a dialect from enslaved workers exposed to the heard-English of British settlers to create a unique chopped-up mix. Belizeans of all ethnic backgrounds grow up speaking Kriol, often before learning English. English may be the official first language, but Kriol is just as common. Even after Belize became an independent nation, Kriol was already engrained in our culture. Later in , the National Kriol Council ensured the dialect was properly studied, written, and recorded as a language.

Belizean creole phrases

Belizean Creole is a contact language that developed and grew between and , as a result of the slave trade. It was a way for people of other backgrounds and languages, in this case slaves and English colonisers within the logging industry, to communicate with each other. Belizean Creoles are people of Afro-European origin. The Belize Census recorded that Belizean Creole is the first language of some Garifunas , Mestizos , Maya , and other ethnic groups. Belizean Creole was developed as a lingua franca for those who were forced to work within the logging industry, and the language itself is linked to many West African substrate languages.

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Another fun quirk of the language is that instead of using intensifiers, in Kriol you just repeat the word. Namely, workers on the mahogany camps, logging farms, and sugar plantations owned by the so-called Baymen. You spend a few minutes of the day looking at the Hamanasi website as you daydream about sitting on the beach as the Caribbean waters gently inch closer to your sandy toes with every passing wave. By and large Belize Kriol is a spoken language, most modern speakers would be hard pressed to read it fluidly. Belize Kriol is a phonetic language, meaning that it is spelled exactly how it sounds, which can be quite confusing for a native English speaker to read. Recommended sections. You would address this by saying: Hey, come on, get going and stop bav!!! Officially, the language of Belize is English. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. Save Save Save Save. Try fi me English translation: You must be kidding Proper use: someone just said something outrageous about a situation or about you, your reply would be: Wait, what? Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. A year later, Lily was commissioned as an in-house writer and photographer for the Belize Tourism Board for three months. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Travel Belize. Why not try to pick up a few phrases?

Kriol, or Creole, is the lingua franca here. Like most patois tongues in the Caribbean, it has its roots in the days when the enslaved workers in mahogany camps were exposed to English and mixed it with their own West African dialects, hence the choppy grammar and the borrowed English words. Over time, efforts were made to ensure that Kriol was properly studied, written, and recorded as a language, thanks to the National Kriol Council, created in to promote all aspects of the Creole culture.

Try fi me English translation: You must be kidding Proper use: someone just said something outrageous about a situation or about you, your reply would be: Wait, what? So if you find yourself in Belize for the first time or even the th time, a great way to enjoy this multicultural land is to pick up a few popular Kreol slangs! Over time, efforts were made to ensure that Kriol was properly studied, written, and recorded as a language, thanks to the National Kriol Council, created in to promote all aspects of the Creole culture. Check our Facebook Page to see if you interpreted it correctly! This is addressed the following way: Perhaps the jokes were a bit too much, it looks like she ketch feelings! Be on the Lookout for These Beautiful Flowers Unofficially, it is Belize Kriol. Her biggest passion is meeting people and sharing all the wonders her country, Belize has to offer. By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Travel Belize. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. To indicate his good mood you would say: Da so you feel? How much fi dis? About Belize Belize History Culture. English may be the official first language, but Kriol is just as common.