Eh heh?!
Hear nah!
Waaaay Sah.
That’s a whole conversation right there. The Trinidad and Tobago dialect is a thing of beauty.
Even when speaking standard English, the speed and cadence of the Trinbagonian accent can often trouble foreigners a bit, but get a few Trinis in a social setting where dialect is flowing and it’s another level.
The Trini dialect, often called creole, is a mix of “broken” English and often what seems to be entirely made up words or phrases. Add to that the Trini penchant for using features or characteristics to add humour to a story and you’ve got comedy gold. An example of something you might hear:
“Yuh too own way. Ent a tell yuh not to let ‘Clock’ cut the zaboca? Look how it zug up!” which means:
“You don’t listen. I told you not to let ‘Clock’ cut the avocado. Now it is cut unevenly.”
And Clock, well Clock is a guy who lost part of his arm, from the elbow, in an accident, so he now has one long arm, and one short arm, like a clock.
Some traditional Trinbagonian storytellers and comedians who have kept audiences in stitches with their unique content and delivery are Paul Keens-Douglas, Nicky Crosby, Tommy Joseph, as well as younger social media stars like Certified Sampson and Ro’dey Cumberbatch whose social media followers are treated to some humorous everyday Trini situations and characters. Another comedian making waves is Cindy-Ann Boisson, who recently completed a six-day set in Atlanta with her Red Woman Tour, and well, yes, she is "ah red 'oman"!
So next time you’re caught in a Trini convo, and just don’t know what to say, you could just say “Eh heh!” and the person you’re speaking with will know exactly what you mean. 😊