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Papiamento

Papiamento or Papiamentu is a Creole language and it is the primary language spoken on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.

Contents

History

Papiamento grew out of the pidgin Portuguese spoken among Sephardic Jews and their slaves who had fled from Brazil. Also a Portuguese Creole (or pidgin) from Cape Verde reached the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), it was brought by the Sephardic Portuguese jews of Cape Verde, and it was a mixture of the Mina Portuguese Creole/Pidgin (a mixture of Cape Verdean Creole/Pidgin with Twi) and "Angolar" Portuguese Creoles/Pidgins (areas of Angola and Congo). After the Dutch Empire acquired the ABC islands from the Spanish who fleed taking the natives to other islands, because it had no precious metals, the influence of Dutch colonists caused many Dutch words to be inserted into Papiamento.

The name comes from the word papia, meaning ‘talk’, derived originally from the Portuguese word papear compare with other Portuguese Creoles: the name of Papia Kristang or the Cape Verdean Creole word papia (talk). This word also exist in other Portuguese Creoles, including Papia Kristang.

Classification and related languages

Creole - Portuguese-based (often also classified has Iberian-based)

Papiamento is a creole language based mainly on Portuguese, African languages, Dutch, and the Arawak language. Spanish is a modern influence.

Papiamento can easily be compared and linked with other Portuguese creoles, especially the African ones (namely Forro, Kriol and the Cape Verdean Crioulos). For instance, Compare Mi ("I" in Cape Verdean Creole and Papiamento) or bo (meaning you in both creoles). Mi is from the Portuguese mim (IPA: [mĩ], me) and bo is from Portuguese vós (thy). The use of "b" instead of "v" is very common in the African Portuguese Creoles due to their relation with Northern Portugal dialects. Papiamento is, in some degree, intelligible with Cape Verdean creoles and it can be explained by the immigration of Portuguese Sephardic jews from Cape Verde to these Caribbean islands.

Another comparison is the use of the verb "ta" from vernacular Portuguese "tá" (from "estar", to be) with verbs where Portuguese does and with others where it does not use it: "Mi ta + verb", also the rule in the Cape Verdean Creoles. These issues can also be seen in other Portuguese Creoles.

Venezuelan Spanish is a constant influence today. Many Papiamento speakers are also able to speak Dutch (the official language of the Dutch Caribbean), English, and Spanish.

Geographic distribution

Papiamento is the primary language spoken on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire. It is also well known by people in Saba, St Eustatius, and the Sint Maarten islands.

Dialects

Papiamento has three main dialects, one per island: Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.

Sounds

Most Papiamento vowels are based on Ibero-Romance vowels, but some are also based on Dutch vowels like : ee, ui, ie, oe, ij, ei, oo, and aa.

Papiamento is a tonal language, which is unusual in creoles, and probably influenced by African tones. Tones in creoles can be also found in Saramaccan.

Grammar

Vocabulary

Most of the vocabulary is derived from Portuguese and Spanish, and most of them the real origin is unknown due to the great similarity between the two Iberian languages. Linguistic studies have shown that roughly two thirds of the words in Papiamento's present vocabulary are of Spanish or Portuguese origin, a quarter are of Dutch origin, and the rest come from other tongues.

Examples of words that can be impossible or where the determination is very difficult:

  • Por fabor = Please - Portuguese/Spanish por favor
  • Señora = Mrs, Madam, - Portuguese Senhora, Spanish Señora
  • batata = potato - Portuguese batata /Spanish, patata (batata-sweet potato)
  • Cua? = Which? - Portuguese, Qual; Spanish, Cual
  • Cuanto? = How? - Portuguese, Quanto; Spanish, Cuanto

Meanwhile the existance of a final vowel has [u] can easily be traced to Portuguese, and a diphthongization in some vowels can easily be traced to Spanish. The \b\ sound and "ñ" character can mislead an untrained observer; also a sound-shift could occur in direction to Spanish, because this language is of a later influence than Portuguese.

Other words can have dual origin, and certainly dual influence. For instance: Subrino (nephew); in Portuguese is Sobrinho while in Spanish is Sobrino. The pronunciation of \u\ in the "su-" is traceable to Portuguese, while \n\ in "-no", can be traceable to Spanish.

Portuguese origin words:

  • sapatu = shoes - Portuguese, sapato, Spanish, zapato
  • saya = skirt - Portuguese, saia
  • Bisiña = neighbour - Portuguese, Vizinho, Vizinha, Spanish, vecino

Spanish origin words:

  • siudat = city - Spanish, ciudad
  • sombré = hat - Spanish, sombrero
  • karsón = trousers - Spanish, calzón

Dutch origin words:

  • apel = apple - Dutch, appel
  • blou = blue - Dutch, blauw
  • buki = book - Dutch, boek

Writing system

There are two orthographies: a more phonemic one called Papiamentu (in Curaçao and Bonaire), and one resembling Spanish (in Aruba).

Examples

Phrase samples

  • Bon bini! = Welcome!, Portuguese Bem vindo, Spanish, bienvenido)
  • Bon dia = Good morning, Portuguese Bom dia; Spanish Buenos dias
  • Bon tardi = Good evening, Portuguese Boa tarde, Spanish buenas tardes
  • Bon nochi = Good night (Portuguese, Boa noite; Spanish, Buenas noches)
  • Kon ta bai? or Con ta cu bida? = How are you? or How is life?, Portuguese, Como vai?/Como está com a vida?; ta is the vernacular Portuguese of verb to be, ' insted of está, Spanish ¿Cómo te va?)
  • Mi ta bon, danki = I am fine, thank you, vernacular Portuguese, Eu (mim) (es)tou bom/bem, and Dutch Dank u
  • Tur kos ta bon = everything is running well, Portuguese tudo está bem (bom)
  • Hopi bon or Tremendo = very good
  • Trankilo = calm, everything is OK, Portuguese/Spanish, tranquilo
  • Hopi kalor = very hot/warm, Portuguese/Spanish calor/caliente
  • Kon yama bo? or Kon ta bo nomber? = What's your name?, Portuguese Como você se chama? / Como te chamas?
  • Mi yama Raul or Mi nomber ta Raul = My name is Raul, Portuguese, Me Chamo Raul / Meu nome é Raul; Spanish, Mi nombre es Raul
  • Di unda bo ta bini? = Where are you from?, Portuguese, De onde você vem?
  • Mi ta bini di… = I am from…, Portuguese Eu venho de…
  • Mi ta biba na… = I live in…, Portuguese Eu vivo na…
  • Por fabor = Please, Portuguese/Spanish por favor
  • Masha danki = Thank you very much, Dutch, Dank u
  • Di nada = You're welcome, Portuguese/Spanish De nada
  • Homber = Male, Portuguese, Homem; Spanish Hombre
  • Muhe = Female, Portuguese Mulher; Spanish Mujer
  • Si = Yes, Spanish ; Portuguese Sim
  • No = No, Spanish No; Portuguese Não
  • Ainda no = Not yet, Portuguese Ainda não
  • Ayo! = Goodbye!, Portuguese Adeus; Spanish Adiós
  • Te otro biaha! = See you later!, Portuguese Até outro dia
  • Te oro = See you later!
  • Mi ta sinti bo falta! = I miss you!, Portuguese Eu (mim) sinto vossa falta!, Spanish me haces falta
  • Mi ta stima bo = I love you, Portuguese Eu (te) estimo (você) / Eu te amo
  • Awo = Now, Portuguese Agora; Spanish Ahora
  • Ayera = Yesterday, Spanish Ayer
  • Mi tin hamber = I am hungry, from Spanish tengo hambre
  • Mi tin set = I am thirsty, Spanish tengo sed, Portuguese Eu tenho sede
  • Laga nos ban sali! = Let's go out!, Spanish ¡Vamos a salir!
  • Te mayan!, Te aworo!(Te'woro), Te despues! = See you!, bye!, Portuguese Até amanhã, Até logo, Até depois)
  • Masha pabien = Happy birthday!, Portuguese Muitos parabéns!
  • Bon Aña = Happy new year!, Portuguese Feliz ano novo or Bom ano; Spanish Feliz año nuevo
  • Bon pasku! = Happy Easter!, Portuguese, Boa Páscoa
  • No lubida! = Don't forget!, Spanish, No olvides
  • Korda skibi mi bek masha lihe! = Write me as soon as possible!
  • Mener = Mister, Portuguese Senhor; Spanish Señor; Dutch Meneer
  • Señora = Mrs, Madam, Portuguese Senhora, Spanish Señora
  • Jufrouw = Miss, Ms., Dutch, juffrouw
  • Mi number di telefon ta… = my phone number is…, Spanish Mi número de teléfono es…
  • Bel mi = Call me (by telephone)

Social Relationships

  • Mayornan = parents
  • Papa, tata = father
  • Mama, = mother
  • Welo, padushi = grandfather (Spanish, Abuelo)
  • Wela, madushi = grandmother (Spanish, Abuela)
  • Omo (Aruba) = uncle (Dutch, Oom)
  • Tio (Curaçao and Bonaire) = uncle (Spanish, Tio)
  • Tanta (Aruba) = aunt (Dutch, Tante)
  • Tia (Curaçao and Bonaire) = aunt (Spanish, Tia)
  • Homber = man
  • Muhe = woman (Spanish, mujer, Portuguese, Mulher)
  • Yiu Homber = son
  • Yiu Muhe = daughter
  • Muchanan = children
  • Mucha homber = boy
  • Mucha muhe = girl
  • Ruman homber = brother
  • Ruman muhe = sister
  • Rumannan = brothers & sisters
  • Subrino = nephew (Portuguese, Sobrinho; Spanish, Sobrino)
  • Subrina = niece (Portuguese, Sobrinha; Spanish, Sobrina)
  • Primo, prima = cousin (Portuguese/Spanish, Primo, Prima)
  • Padrastro = step father (same has Portuguese)
  • Madrastra = step mother (same has Portuguese)
  • Yiu homber di afo = step son
  • Yiu mohe di afo = step daughter
  • Padrino = godfather
  • Padrina = godmother
  • Iha = godchild
  • Nieto = grandson (Spanish, nieto)
  • Nieta = grand daughter (Spanish, nieta)
  • Kasà = husband, wife
  • Amigo,amiga = friend (Portuguese/Spanish, Amigo, Amiga)
  • Bisiña = neighbour (Portuguese, Vizinho, Vizinha, Spanish, vecino)
  • Enemigo/a = enemy (Spanish, enemigo/a, Portuguese, Inimigo/a)

Calendar system

In Papiamento, month names are taken directly from Dutch:

  • Januari = January
  • Februari = February
  • Maart = March
  • April = April
  • Mei = May
  • Juni = June
  • Juli = July
  • Augustus = August
  • September = September
  • October = October
  • November = November
  • December = December

Fruits & vegetables

  • arbei = strawberry (Dutch, aardbei)
  • konoflo = garlic (Dutch, knoflook)
  • pampuna = pumpkin (Dutch, pompoen)
  • prei = leek (Dutch, prei)
  • bonchi = beans (Dutch, bonen)
  • siboyo chikito = small onion / shallot (Portuguese, Cebolo, Spanish cebolla chiquita)
  • apelsina = orange (Dutch, sinaasappel)
  • apel = apple (Dutch, appel)
  • dreif = grape (Dutch, druif)
  • plum = plum (Dutch, pruim)
  • preimu = prune
  • siboyo = onion (Portuguese, Cebola; Spanish, Cebolla)
  • boonchi wowo preto = black-eyed beans (boonchi from Dutch, boontjes, wowo derived from African wo and pretu from Portuguese Preto, black)
  • oleifi = olives (Dutch, olijven)
  • bakoba = banana
  • wortel = carrot
  • anasa = pineapple (Portuguese/Spanish, Ananás, Dutch Ananas)
  • kolo = cabbage (Spanish, col, Dutch, kool)
  • batata = potato (Portuguese/Spanish, batata)
  • tomati = tomato (Portuguese/Spanish, tomate, Dutch tomaat)
  • awakati = avocado (Spanish, aguacate, Portuguese, abacate)
  • flor = flower (Portuguese/Spanish, flor)
  • zoneblum = sunflower (Dutch, Zonnebloem)
  • rosa = rose (Portuguese/Spanish, rosa)
  • palu = tree (Spanish, palo, woodstick)
  • maishi = corn (Spanish, maiz)
  • guyaba = guava (Spanish, guayaba)
  • koko = coconut (Portuguese, Côco; Spanish, Coco)
  • kokou = cocoa (Spanish, cacao)
  • palma = palm (Spanish, palma)
  • selder = celery (Dutch, Selderij)
  • komkomber = cucumber (Dutch, Komkommer)
  • patia = watermelon
  • spinazi = spinach (Dutch, Spinazie)
  • salada = lettuce (From Portuguese, salada)
  • yerba = grass (Portuguese, erva, Spanish, hierba)
  • peer = pear (Portuguese/Spanish, pera)
  • lamunchi = lemon (Spanish, limón, Portuguese, limão)
  • yerb'i hole = basil (Dutch, basilicum)

Food and beverages

  • biña kora = red wine (Spanish, vino, wine, colorado, red)
  • biña blanku = white wine (Spanish, vino blanco)
  • bibida sterki = alcoholic beverages (sterki from Dutch, sterk, strong)
  • kofi = coffee (Dutch, koffie)
  • te = tea (Spanish, )
  • lechi = milk (Spanish, leche)
  • serbes = beer (Dutch, bier)
  • sopi di yuana = iguana soup (Spanish, sopa de iguana)
  • chukulati = chocolate (Portuguese & Spanish chocolate, in Portuguese the term is often pronunced has in Papiamento)
  • awa = water (Portuguese & Spanish agua)
  • eis = ice (Dutch, ijs)
  • aros = rice (Portuguese & Spanish, arroz)
  • pan = bread (Spanish pan)
  • ponche crema = eggyolk (Spanish, ponche, punch, crema, cream)
  • bolo = cake (From Portuguese, bolo)
  • webu = egg (Spanish, huevo)
  • beleg = cold cuts (Dutch, beleg)
  • salu = salt (Portuguese & Spanish, sal)
  • suku = sugar (Spanish, azúcar)
  • pika = pepper (Portuguese, pimenta, Spanish, pimienta, pica=hot, pricks)
  • keshi = cheese (Portuguese, queijo, Spanish, queso)
  • manteka = butter (Portuguese, manteiga, Spanish, mantequilla)
  • mangel = sweets/ candy
  • chupa bebe = Arubian lollypop
  • pastechi = pate
  • limunada, refresko= soft drink (Spanish, refresco)
  • karni = meat (Portuguese & Spanish, carne)

Days

  • Djadomingo = Sunday (Spanish, dia, day and domingo, Sunday)
  • Djaluna = Monday (Spanish, lunes)
  • Djamars = Tuesday (Spanish, martes)
  • Djarason = Wednesday
  • Djaweps = Thursday (Spanish, jueves)
  • Djabierne = Friday (Spanish, viernes)
  • Djasabra = Saturday (Spanish, sábado)

Numbers

  • un = one (Portuguese, um; Spanish, un/uno)
  • dos = two (Portuguese, dois; Spanish, dos)
  • tres = three (Portuguese, três; Spanish, tres)
  • kuater(Netherlands Antilles), cuatro (Aruba) = four (Portuguese, quatro; Spanish, cuatro)
  • cinco (Neth Antilles), cinco (Aruba) = five (Portuguese/Spanish, cinco)
  • seis = six (Portuguese/Spanish, seis)
  • shete = seven (Portuguese, sete; Spanish, siete)
  • ocho = eight (Spanish, ocho)
  • nuebe = nine (Portuguese, nove; Spanish, nueve)
  • dies = ten (Portuguese, dez; Spanish, diez)
  • diesun = eleven
  • diesdos = twelve
  • diestres = thirteen
  • dieskuater = fourteen
  • diessinku = fifteen
  • diesseis = sixteen (Spanish, dieciseis)
  • diesshete = seventeen (Spanish, diecisiete)
  • diesocho = eighteen (Spanish, dieciocho)
  • diesnuebe = nineteen (Spanish, diecinueve)
  • binti = twenty (Portuguese, vinte, Spanish, veinte)
  • bintiun = twenty one (Spanish, veintiuno)
  • trinta = thirty (Portuguese, trinta, Spanish treinta)
  • kuarenta = forty (Portuguese, quarenta; Spanish, cuarenta)
  • sinkuenta = fifty (Portuguese, cinquenta; Spanish, cincuenta)
  • sesenta = sixty (Portuguese/Spanish, sesenta)
  • setenta = seventy (Portuguese/Spanish, setenta)
  • ochenta = eighty (Spanish, ochenta)
  • nobenta = ninety (Portuguese/Spanish, noventa)
  • shen = one hundred (Portuguese, Cem; Spanish, Cien)
  • mil = one thousand (Portuguese/Spanish, mil)
  • un miyon = one million (Portuguese, milhão; Spanish, un millón)

Ordinal numbers

  • prome = first (Spanish, primero)
  • di dos = second
  • di tres = third

Colours

  • kòra = red
  • shinishi = grey
  • hel = yellow (Dutch, geel)
  • blou = blue (Dutch, blauw)
  • blanku = white (Spanish, blanco, Portuguese, branco)
  • bèrdè = green (Portuguese/Spanish, verde)
  • Maron, bruin = brown (Spanish, marrón, Dutch, bruin)
  • ros = pink (Portuguese/Spanish, rosa)
  • lila = purple (Spanish, lila, Portuguese, lilás)
  • skur = dark (Portuguese, escuro; Spanish, oscuro)

Pronouns

  • Ami, mi = I (Portuguese, Eu, mim, me)
  • Abo, bo = you (Portuguese, vós, você, tu, ti)
  • E, = he, she, it (Portuguese, ele, ela)
  • Nos = We (Portuguese, Nós)
  • Nan = They
  • Boso = You (plural or polite) (Portuguese, Vosso)

Adjectives

  • Lihe/pura/rapido = Fast/quick


Interrogative

  • Kiko ? = What? (Portuguese, Quê; Spanish, Que)
  • Ken? = Who? (Portuguese, Quem, Spanish, Quien)
  • Cua? = Which? (Portuguese, Qual; Spanish, Cual)
  • Unda? = Where? (Portuguese, Onde)
  • Cuanto? = How? (Portuguese, Quanto; Spanish, Cuanto)
  • Ki ora? = When? (Portuguese, Quando; Spanish, Cuando)
  • Pakiko? = Why?/What for?(Portuguese, Porquê?, Spanish, ¿Por qué?)
  • Di kon? = Why? (as in what's wrong with you?)


More words

  • awaseru = rain (Portuguese, aguaceiro/chuva, Spanish, aguacero/lluvia)
  • sneu = snow (Dutch, sneeuw)
  • mist = mist (Dutch, mist)
  • bientu = wind (Portuguese, vento, Spanish, viento)
  • ola = wave (Spanish ola)
  • nubia = cloud (Spanish, nube)
  • orkan = hurricane (Dutch, orkaan, Spanish, huracán)
  • welek = lightning
  • bos = thunder (Spanish, trueno)
  • laman, laman grandi = beach, ocean
  • playa, laman = beach (Dutch, strand, Spanish, playa)
  • tera = sand, country (from Portuguese, terra)
  • waf = port
  • brùg = bridge (Dutch, brug)
  • siudat = city (Spanish, ciudad)
  • volkan = volcano (Dutch, vulkaan')
  • seru = mount (Spanish, cerro)
  • ofisina di post = post office (Dutch, postkantoor)
  • ofisina di gobiernu = government office (Spanish, oficina de gobierno)
  • panaderia = bakery (Spanish, panaderia)
  • banko = bank (Portuguese/Spanish, banco)
  • kèts = sneakers
  • sapatu = shoes (Portuguese, sapato, Spanish, zapato)
  • saya = skirt (Portuguese, saia)
  • sombré = hat (Spanish, sombrero)
  • kamisa = shirt (Portuguese/Spanish, camisa)
  • dashi = tie
  • karsón = trousers (Spanish, calzón)
  • blusa = blouse (Portuguese/Spanish, blusa)
  • braziel = bra
  • stul = chair (Dutch, stoel)
  • mesa = table (Portuguese/Spanish, mesa)
  • kas = house (Portuguese/Spanish, casa)
  • Kunuku = country side
  • bentana = window (Spanish, ventana)
  • porta = door (Portuguese, porta)
  • dak = roof (Dutch, dak)
  • kushina = kitchen (Portuguese, cozinha, Spanish, cocina)
  • muraya = wall (Portuguese, muralha, Spanish, muralla)
  • misa = church (Spanish, iglesia)
  • moskei = mosque (Dutch, moskee)
  • botika = drugstore (Portuguese/Spanish, botica)
  • skol = school (Dutch, school)
  • baranka = rock
  • boto = boat (Spanish, bote)
  • surfplank = surfboard (Dutch, surfplank)
  • velt = field (Dutch, veld)
  • barku = ship (Portuguese/Spanish, barco)
  • edifisio = building (Portuguese/Spanish, edificio)
  • hardin zologiko = zoo (Spanish, jardín zoológico)
  • hospital = hospital (Portuguese/Spanish, hospital)
  • bibliotek = library (Portuguese, livraria, Spanish, libreria, Dutch "Bibliotheek")
  • buki = book (Dutch, boek)
  • graf = grave (Dutch, graf)
  • santana = cemetery

See also

External links

Last updated: 05-17-2005 03:43:08