What Yinna Say? Speak Up!

Vanessa
Jun 6, 2019
4 min read

Updated: Jun 14, 2019

Bahamian - Buh • hay • mee • yun

not Bohemian, Ba-ha-mon or Bow-hah-mi-yawn

Although the official language of The Bahamas is English, there are various dialects represented in the country. Some refer to it as broken English or slang, but I find that term to be disrespectful and a misnomer. Bahamian Creole is a creole based language spoken by residents in both The Bahamas and of the Turks and Caicos islands.

The language itself is a combination of English, Gullah, Creole, Indigenous tongue and other dialects. If you listen closely to native speakers, one can hear the similarities among the Creole-based languages of The Caribbean and West Indies.

The Bahamian language is just as expressive and dynamic as its people. The way we speak has flavor, it has power. Inflection can determine how you are received. An ill-placed cut eye, sucked teeth and rude tone are not to be used in the presence of any elders. The old adage, ' I am not one of your friends. I am your mother/father ' reigns supreme in the Islands.

" Being told, Ya too fresh! - is not a compliment, so tread softly. "

In the spirit of each one teach one; some common Bahamian phrases (some spelled phonetically) can be seen below. Not all meanings will be found below, so I implore you to do your research.

What da wybe is? - What's Up?
Yah Bey! - Hi / What's up
What cha Saying? - Hello/How are you?
Well Mudda Sic Bey - Wow / Omg! (Expletive to some*)
We een Reach Yet? - Are we there? / Have we arrived?
Don't Be Big-eyed - Don't be greedy
Gimme Tree of Dem Tings Please - Can I have 3 of those please
Don't Mash Up or Tief Other People Tings - Don't mess up or steal other's things
If It Jam up, Take The Stairs - If it's crowded take the stairs
Don't Cut Eye In Here - Don't make rude faces
I's Happy To Be Here, You Musse Too - I'm happy to be here
Show Sef - Show-off
They Have No Broughtupsy! - They have no manners!
Yinna Love to Smile - Y'all love to smile
I een Know Her Like Dat - I don't know her like that
He Gone Round the Corner - He is actually quite a distance away
Only Me One - Just me here
I Gern to Lunch - I am going to lunch
I Vex, Move From Me - I am pissed, leave me alone
T'ingum Lone Gone - (Enter real name or object) is gone
They Reach Yet? - Did they arrive?
400 Stay Mashup - Hwy 400 always has traffic
You's Got Woik in the Mornin? - Do you work in the morning?
Ya Musse Smell Ya Self - You sure are cocky
The Current Off Dred! - The power is off!
Don't Drop Annuda Ting - Don't drop another thing
Dats fa true? - Thats true? / You can't be serious!
Why He So Ogly? - Ooh he's ugly
You's Tote News - You like to gossip
Luk Hea - Look here / Come here / Slow ya roll
Ya Run Ya Mouth Too Much - You talk too much
Aww Flip! - Damn / Well Damn
She's Buck Up the Curb - She crashed into the curb
Y'all Carry on Bad Now! - Y'all misbehaving
It Spry? - Is it raining lightly?
Y'all Could Row now! - Y'all argue loudly (often)
Fix ya Face! - When you are expected to have a calm expression during and after being rowd at.
Hush Up! - Be quiet!
Gimme One Biscuit Please. - Can I have a cookie/cracker/biscuit
Who Chirren? - Whose children?
Come From Round Me! - Please get away from me!
Stop Axin Me, Cuz Ayeen Know - Stop asking me, because I don't know
Saw-tches - Sausage
Mummy - Mom
Boongie - Butt / Backside
Tingum - Things / The object
Lets Push Out - Time to go
Stop Jamin Me Up Man, Move Move - It's crowded. Why you so close, move from me
Ya Man Got a Sweetheart - Your mind has a side-chick
Everything Set King - I'm doing alright
No Dread! - No sir
Let Me Show You Something Boy - Let me explain something to you (aggressive tone)
You Act Like You a'int Got No Sense - You act like you have no common sense

For an audio version of more words please visit the audio file below!

Fair warning, do not approach Bahamians' attempting these phrases at random. Your effort will be better received if it is, in fact, coming from a place of respect and genuine interest. So mind your manners. But if it comes from a place of ignorance, mockery or hate. Please keep your "jokes" to yourself. If you just want to sound cool or hip, please refrain. Do not repeat what you hear, as it may be deemed disrespectful coming from non-Bahamians. Remember, R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

That being said, do your research when traveling abroad. For some, the Out Islands will be more appealing than New Providence. Remember, you are the visitor. Do not assume that just because you are in The Bahamas, that we use the same colloquialisms as Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba and etc. We don't all say "mon", have dreadlocks and speak with a Jamaican accent. Here in the Islands, we are all proud people, and love teaching others about our uniquely similar and different cultures. We are hard-working, resilient and determined people. Learn as much as you can and don't forget to enjoy the view!