Barbados and the Bajan language

Barbadians speak the Queen’s English. Bajans speak Bajan.

While many Trinis in particular find them sometimes hard to understand here are some terms you should be familiar with to make your season easier.

‘Jones’ E.g. Can’t believe nobody ain warn she…jones and wuk up, etc. ad infinitum… 

Jones & Wuck Up

‘Sheep’ E.g Beeehhhhhh!!! Stiffy-Carr My Sheep in Town

 ‘Jump’ is what you do on the road Monday for Grand Kadooment. You do not ‘play mas’, you ‘jump in a band’ E.g. Who you jumping with?

‘Rum’   The place where rum was first recorded as being manufactured, in the 1600’s, is Barbados. Here, rum is Mount Gay or Cockspur. TrpleF is partial to a Mount Gay Extra Old, also known as ‘Black’. Not to be confused with Mount Gay’s new Eclipse Black

‘6:30’ E.g. Well there’s no example for this one. I doubt it will come up in conversation. Just in case:

6:30

‘Wukup’ -**Warning** do not attempt without guidance from a Bajan instructor/assistant. In particular be careful if you have never danced with a Bajan before as you may end up scarred for life! Let Allison teach you

Your Welcome.