Our Favourite Piece of Bajan Dialect

by Lynne
(UK)

My Husband and I spent a fabulous three weeks vacation on the island during the Christmas period. We had a wonderful time and the houses beautifully decorated with lights made our holiday so special.

It was our fourth visit to the island we call our home away from home. The friendly people, spectacular turquoise waters and the wonderful Bajan food really make the island special.

Over the last 6 years we’ve become very familiar with the Bajan dialect and have even tried using with some difficulty.

Our favorite Bajan saying goes something like this “Yuh got tuh christen yuh chile before yuh could len’ out de christening clothes”

From what we understand it means solve your own problems before trying to solve someone else’s.

Editor's Reply: Thanks Lynne for sharing your favourite Bajan saying you have been a good student that is a good one... and you are correct that’s what it means.

For those who still who still don’t understand the dialect here is the saying written in English... “You got to christen your child before you lend out the Christening clothes

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Our Favourite Piece of Bajan Dialect

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Mar 19, 2011
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Bajan Dialect… The Language of Our Nation
by: Cheryl

I grew up in Barbados an even though I’ve live and work in United Kingdom for close to 30 years I still visit the island regularly.

Over the years one of the things that remained with me to this day is the way my parents and grandparents said things.

In other the words the Bajan dialect it was rhythmic and most times confusing because some of it didn’t make any sense... maybe that was the case because we were not allowed to speak dialect.

However as I’ve gotten older I find our nation language absolutely fascinating and I am amazed that so much though went into these island sayings.

Many of them really captures the essence of what I want to say in a simple line.

Most of the ones you’ve listed are my favourites; however there are a few others that I think you should add...

Here there are...

One hand can’t clap: It means that you need cooperation in what ever you do to achive.

High wind know where ole’ house is: It means that those who are weak are taken advantage of...

wha evah in the ole goat in de kiddie: It means that children are just like their parents.

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