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Purely Dominica

Purely Dominica

Archive for December, 2012


As more and more people enjoy luxury Caribbean holidays English is fast becoming the predominant dialect of the region.

However, whilst English is now accepted as the first language of many Caribbean nations there are also hundreds of different regional dialects that are used across the region.

These dialects and the characteristics therein are usually passed down from generation to generation and it is often seen as a way of keeping the history of the islands alive for future generations.

With this in mind it’s not surprising that, unlike in other parts of the world, local dialects continue to thrive, and even when English is used you will often hear words spoken with a local twist.

Needless to say there is something quite soothing to sit in a local bar and hear the native tongue spoken in full flow as regulars tell tales over a glass of the local rum.

Here we take a look at some of the more popular dialects used across The Caribbean…

 

Antigua

The local dialect here is Antiguan Creole, a Caribbean vernacular that somewhat resembles broken English. Often Antiguans will switch between traditional English and Antiguan Creole midway through a conversation… which leads to a great deal of head scratching amongst tourists who will often be seen scrambling for their guidebooks.

Some of the phrases you are likely to hear during your holiday to Antigua are:

Eh Tase Good – It Tastes Good

Ah wha g’wan – What’s Up

Ah good/tek dat – That’s good for you/take that

Antigua
Photo By andy_tyler

 

Jamaica

Jamaican Patois, known locally as just Patois is an English inspired language with West African influences. Such is the popularity of Patois that the New Testament has been painstakingly translated from the original Greek to the local dialect… “The Jamaican New Testament” now translates to “Di Jamiekan Nyuu Testiment”

Some of the phrases you are likely to hear during your holiday to Jamaica are:

Wha’appen?What’s Up?

Walk Good – Goodbye / Take Care

Seen – Yes it’s ok, I understand

Jamaica
Photo By gailf548

Barbados

The land that bought us R&B sensation Rihanna also brings us one of the most colourful dialects of The Caribbean – Bajan Creole. This dialect is the Caribbean Creole with the closest grammar to Standard English however it still maintains a creative, and not to mention fast paced, Caribbean twang which is somewhat hard to keep up with unless you are native to the island.

Some of the phrases you are likely to hear during your holiday to Barbados are:

Sweet fa so – Very Nice

Lime – To Hang Around

Sea Bathing – Swimming

 Barbados
Photo By Sandman5

Dominica

A French twist on the Caribbean language is found on the island of Dominica which speaks the dialect of Creole French. This vernacular is derived from Antillean Creole and, despite being French actually offers more English loanwords than other versions of the Creole language 

Some of the phrases you are likely to hear during your holiday to Dominica are:

Sa ka fete? – How are you?

Bon Jou – Good Day

Sa ki non w? – What is your name?

Caribbean
Photo By llee_wu

To plan your trip to The Caribbean speak to Blue Waters

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Many travelers rush to the Caribbean during the holidays to escape the hustle and stress of the season (not to mention the frigid temperatures).

If you’re headed down south this year, pay attention to the following tips in order to get the most out of your Caribbean vacation.

Villas and Condos Versus Hotels

Even in the off season you may find the hotels on most Caribbean islands to be on the pricey side. Fear not, however; you don’t have to choose between beachfront property and affordable pricing. Rather than staying at a hotel, consider renting out a condo or a villa. This is an especially affordable option if you’re traveling with multiple groups or families, as many villas can sleep up to twelve to fifteen easily.

With the rise of the Internet it has become relatively easy to bypass the tourism industry and find locals willing to rent out their condos while they’re away. The trade off is you lose the amenities hotels have to offer, such as concierge service and dining options. However, most condos and villas have a full kitchen, meaning you can save even more money by cooking at home.

Image of Vacation Villas and condos in the Caribbean

Be Water Conscious

It’s a no-brainer to keep your drinking water limited to the bottled variety when travelling abroad, but there are other safety concerns to think of when in the Caribbean. For example, when you first arrive at your accommodations, it’s a good idea to let the showers and faucets run for at least five minutes while unpacking. This will allow any spores that might be growing in the plumbing to be flushed out. These spores could possibly lead to Legionnaires Disease, a nasty condition that can cause hospitalization and even be fatal. The bacteria that causes the disease thrives in the water systems of tropical climates. Even after flushing out the water system, you should still be vigilant about swallowing water during your bathing routine. A simple fix? Keep mouthwash in your mouth while showering.

Check Out the Sunday Markets

If you’re looking for souvenirs, skip the stalls that line the streets and wait for the Sunday markets. Here you can find seafood buy the pound and enjoy relatively cheap feasts on the beach. Scores of unique artwork, artisan goods, and exotic spices can be found from local purveyors at these markets. Spend some time perusing the different offerings, and if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, stock up on local ingredients so you can eat deliciously at your home away from home.

Pack for the Atmosphere

Many people pack light for their Caribbean vacation, expecting to spend most of heir time in their swimsuit, frolicking in the ocean or sipping a margarita at a beachfront cantina. However, there are some essentials you should not overlook when preparing for your vacation.

For one, don’t neglect your rain-wear. You don’t have to pack full battle rattle, but a simple poncho and maybe a small travel umbrella would be a good idea. Some Caribbean islands are so small you’ll end up traveling by foot everywhere, and wouldn’t it be a drag to get caught in the rain holding all your shopping bags?

Also be sure to bring protective footwear for the beach. The sand often hides jagged pieces of coral and scores of crabs, all looking to dig into an unprotected toe. The water’s not a safe place for feet either, with jagged rocks lying in wait just below the water’s surface.

Ride Around On a Scooter

When deciding how best to travel around your island, you have several options. However, none are as efficient, as practical, and as affordable as a scooter. Renting a car can be expensive and difficult as a majority of nations in the Caribbean drive on the left, which can be hard to get used to. Taxis sometimes have fixed fares, but you’ll still end up spending a pretty penny if you rely on them everywhere you go. Finally, some islands feature bus routes as public transportation, but they don’t travel everywhere and then you’re bound to their schedules. Scooters are fast and easy to maneuver, and most hotels offer daily rental services. If you’re renting a villa, there are still many places around town that rent scooters by the hour, day, or week.

Author Bio – This article is written by Dillon Michaelson working for Insanely Cheap Flights. If you’re looking for cheap airplane tickets to various destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas, New York etc., do check out his travel portal today.

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When you think of things to do in Caribbean, you are spoilt for choice. There are so many unique things to see, do and experience in the Caribbean that it boggles your mind.

Here are the top 3 things you should not miss out on:

Holiday on the world’s best beaches

If you have a beach holiday in mind, think no further than the Caribbean. the Seven Mile Beach in Jamaica, the Half Moon Bay in Antigua, the beaches of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, the Palm Beach in Aruba and the Varadero beach in Cuba are rated as some of the best beaches in the world. It does not get better than this!

Take a tour of one of the many rum distilleries

No trip to the Caribbean is complete without a visit to a rum distillery. The Appleton Estate in Jamaica, the Bacardi distillery in Old San Juan, the Mount Gay Rum Refinery in Barbados, and the River Antoine Distillery in Grenada and the Angostura Distillery in Trinidad & Tobago are just the right places to sample the world famous Caribbean rum

Go snorkeling in paradise

The Caribbean is a snorkeler’s paradise. Explore the magical underwater marine life in some of the top rated snorkeling spots on earth. The clear, shallow waters of Stingray City in the Cayman Islands is a great place to watch stingrays. While La Parguera has some of the best coral reef in the Caribbean, the warm waters of Honeymoon Bay in St John Island is fantastic for its variety of tropical fish.

With so much natural beauty, it is no wonder that people from around the world choose to move to the Caribbean for good. For all your international moving needs, contact International Movers USA.

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