Anytime I travel to a foreign country I try to learn the basics of the native language. Your travel guides and brochures will tell you that almost everyone in the Caribbean speaks English, and most do. However, when not among tourists, native islanders are really more comfortable in their local tongue. Patois is spoken in many Caribbean islands, particularly those with a French history such as St Lucia. A number of the older members of my extended family can understand English but will always respond in Patois. Although English is taught in all schools, Patois is still spoken at home for the vast majority of St Lucians. In my three years on the island I have only met one St Lucian who claims to not know Patois.

Nothing will gain you more points with a hotel staff member or a local than a few kind words in their own language. Think French. Patois is more closely related to French than any other language, and in St Lucia the “r” is typically a “w”. We are all familiar with the word Creole; in Patois it is pronounced Kweyol. Even when speaking English they will use the “w” where we would normally present the “r”. With this in mind, try a few of these Patois words on your next Caribbean vacation and impress everyone around you! Particularly here in St Lucia, when entering an establishment, passing someone on the street and even when boarding a bus, it is common courtesy to greet everyone with bozu / good morning or boswé/good evening.

Su plé – please
Mesi – thank you (sounds like messy in English)
Padon – excuse me
Ki lé i yé? – what time is it? (the “i” always sounds like ee)
koté mwe? - where am I?
Ki bél péi! what a lovely country
Mwe vlé o bwé-I want a drink.
wum – rum
wi – yes (sounds just like oui in French, remember “i” is ee)
no- no
pwéso – fish
bef – beef
pul - chicken

Making it a practice to learn 10 simple phrases or words before traveling to a foreign country is simple, global courtesy. It shows that you have made an effort to embrace the culture and understand their language and customs. No one wants to be an “ugly American”. The travelers who make these small efforts are rewarded tenfold in the level of service, kindness and enjoyment they experience while on-island.

A small paperback guide is available at the St Lucia airports and gift shops entitled, A Visitor’s Guide to St Lucia Patois - by Mary W. Toynbee for about $10.00 US. My copy has been well used, and I highly recommend this little treasure. It is one of the very few written examples of this rarely documented language, but not available in the United States at this time.