Language/Jamaican-creole-english/Vocabulary/Animals
Hi Jamaican Creole English learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will explore the vocabulary related to animals in Jamaican Creole English. Animals play an essential role in our lives, and we are familiar with many of them from a young age. Whether you have a dog or cat at home, or you like to go horseback riding, we hope this lesson will be helpful in building your Jamaican Creole English vocabulary. We've included some fun cultural facts to keep you engaged, so let's get started!
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Drinks & Education.
Farm Animals[edit | edit source]
Farm animals are animals that are raised on a farm or kept for agricultural purposes. They are an essential source of food, and many people rely on them for their livelihoods. Here are some common farm animals in Jamaican Creole English:
| Jamaican Creole English | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kaw | kaʊ | cow |
| shiyap | ʃi.jap | sheep |
| got | ɡɒt | goat |
| kik | kɪk | chicken |
| haws | haʊs | horse |
| hatt | hæt | hat |
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Wah kinda nyam yu laik? (What kind of food do you like?)
- Person 2: Mi laik kik iina mi súpá. (I like chicken in my soup.)
- Person 1: So yu no laik kaw meat? (So you don't like cow meat?)
- Person 2: No, mi no intres iina dat. Ha ha ha. (No, I'm not interested in that. Ha ha ha.)
Domestic Pets[edit | edit source]
Pets are animals that people keep for companionship, protection or entertainment. In Jamaica, most people keep dogs, cats or birds as pets. Here are some common domestic pets in Jamaican Creole English:
| Jamaican Creole English | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| dag | dæɡ | dog |
| kat | kæt | cat |
| byrd | bɜrd | bird |
| hamsta | hæm.sta | hamster |
| fis | fɪs | fish |
| pijın | pi.ɪn | pigeon |
Fun Fact: In Jamaica, it is common for people to keep birds in cages called "bomboo kluos." These cages are typically made from bamboo and are designed to keep the birds safe from predators.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Wah kinda pi we av iina dis kíjin? (What kind of pet do we have in this kitchen?)
- Person 2: Wi av wan kat iina di bakyaad. (We have one cat in the backyard.)
- Person 1: Yu no av no ʃu iina di haʊs? (Don't you have any shoes in the house?)
- Person 2: No, mi no wiir ʃu. Mi rada wok iina mi slípa. (No, I'm not wearing shoes. I prefer to walk in my slippers.)
Wild Animals[edit | edit source]
Wild animals live in natural habitats, such as forests, jungles, and savannas. In Jamaica, there are many wild animals, including those that are native to the island and those that have been introduced. Here are some common wild animals in Jamaican Creole English:
| Jamaican Creole English | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tíga | ti.ɡa | tiger |
| líyın | laɪ.ɪn | lion |
| fôn | fɒn | monkey |
| ʃəkərba | ʃʊk.ɛr.bə | sugarbird |
| dofi | dɒ.fi | dolphin |
| kroko | krɒk.oʊ | crocodile |
Fun Fact: Jamaica is home to the smallest bird in the world, the "Doctor Bird" or "Streamertail Hummingbird." It is known for its long tail streamers and bright colors.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Kah yu miidn si laas ʃiíz? (Can you mind seeing the last season?)
- Person 2: Nou, mi no sii it. Mi waan túu bi kés tu di byúti a Jamaica. (No, I didn't see it. I want to be close to the beauty of Jamaica.)
- Person 1: Wi av wan kroko iina gŕungz. (We have a crocodile in the grounds.)
- Person 2: Wa yu spíkín baut!? Wi fi ron we. (What are you talking about!? We need to run away!)
Insects[edit | edit source]
Insects are small, six-legged creatures that are found all over the world. Insects play an essential role in our ecosystem, and they are important pollinators, decomposers and a food source for other animals. Here are some common insects in Jamaican Creole English:
| Jamaican Creole English | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sanpaiyá | sʌm.paɪ.ja | centipede |
| bihl | bɪl | bee |
| mashi | mɑ.ʃi | mosquito |
| átóm | æ.tɒm | ant |
| pípjuk | pi.p.jʊk | cricket |
| spaidá | spaɪ.da | spider |
Fun Fact: The Jamaican Giant Swallowtail Butterfly is the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere, with a wingspan of up to 6 inches.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Ih! aat krishi di miin yu av di lemdrijn?! (Ew! What is that crawling on your arm?!)
- Person 2: Aat! Aat! Ih ah sanpaiyá. (Ew! Ew! It's a centipede.)
- Person 1: Mi no lak di bakklel fi di bi dem, bu di bi dem a dems pikni. (I don't like the bottle for the bees, but the bees are for their children.)
We hope you've enjoyed this lesson on Jamaican Creole English animals vocabulary! To improve your Jamaican Creole English Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎