Grenadian Creole French

Grenadian Creole is a variety of Antillean Creole.[2] In Grenada and among Grenadians, it is referred to as Patois.

Grenadian Creole
Patwa LaGwinad
Native toGrenada
Native speakers
2,300 (2004)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3–
GlottologNone

History

The first successful settlement by a western colonial power was in Grenada in 1650, when the French from Martinique established friendly contact with the native Caribs. The French had no ruling power or influence on the island or the population, as it was the British Empire who took control of the island in the 17th century. Today most of the population speaks Grenadian Creole English.

Sample Words and Expressions
  • bebé [French 'bêbé']: A foolish person. Literally, 'baby'.[3]
  • bondjé [French 'bon Dieu']: 'Good God!'[3]
  • disabill [French 'dishabille']: Sloppy or run-down.[4]
  • dou-dou [French 'doux']: Darling or Sweetheart. A term of endearment.[3]
  • djoukoutou [French 'jusqu' à vous']: "Even someone as unimportant as you," used derisively. e.g., "Djoukoutou Freddy and all going to that party."[3]
  • flambo [French 'flambeau']: A blazing torch made with wood, fabric, and kerosene.[3]
  • fet [French 'fête']: A party[3]
  • galé [French 'galuex']: Pejorative description of someone with a scabby rash or itchy skin disease. e.g. "Look at his arms--they galé!"[3]
  • ladjabless [French 'La Diablesse']: A devil woman from Caribbean folklore.[5]
  • lougarou [French 'loup garou']: A werewolf.
  • shado beni [French 'chardon beni']: Eryngium foetidum, an herb used for cooking. Also known as recao or Mexican coriander.
  • soungoo [French 'sans goût']: a description of a person who is dispirited or lacking energy, e.g. "Why Jenny so soungoo? [3]
  • takté [French 'tacheté']:Spotted or speckled skin, referring to either people or fruit.[3]
  • tébé [French 'débat']:Strife and conflict between persons, spawned by gossiping.[3]
  • too-tool-bay [French 'totalement bête']: the state of being dazed and confused, as when "head over heels" in love, e.g. "Mary turned Desmond too-tool-bay." [5]
  • toot bagay [French 'tout baggage']: any and everything, e.g. "He pack up his house, toot bagay, and move to Sautiers."[3]
  • zagada [French 'lézard']: Ameiva ameiva, a ground lizard found in Grenada, South America, and other Caribbean islands.[6]

References
  1. Saint Lucian Creole (Grenada) at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015)
  2. Ethnologue report for language code:acf
  3. La Grenade-Lashley, Marise (April 15, 2016). Mwen Ka Alé: The French-lexicon Creole of Grenada: History, Language and Culture. Aventine Press. p. 154. ISBN 978-1593309039. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  4. "A (Very) Private Resident's View of The Grenadian by Rex vs. Government of Grenada". nowgrenada.com. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  5. Hughes, Alister. "The Influences of French Creole on the Grenadian "Language"". Montray Kréyol. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  6. Crask, Paul (March 17, 2009). Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique (First ed.). Bradt Travel Guides. p. 27. ISBN 978-1841622743. Retrieved 23 August 2021.

Further reading
  • Marguerite-Joan Joseph, Lingering Effects of an Ancient Afro-Romance Language on Common Speech in the Caribbean Island of Grenada (2012)
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