Our castas:
Dee Muh.laht.tuh uh barr.bay.dus dee
oa’ul bruu’uud.may’ay’r in rahk.kel prihn.gul poal.greeng~ dee’ee lay’ayd.dee’ee.nai’ayi’t (pruhai’ai’d.duh bar’arb.bay.duz iz.zuh dwaa’awrf paw’ns.see’aa’aan.nuh flow’aw.wuh fensz mex.ee.kun bur’urdz.zuh par’arduhai’aiyis) dah’ah’z pik.fay’ay’rsz in town’g…
There are things one must do.
There are things is to do.
There are things one supposed to do.
There things good to do.
There are things one should do.
There are things one can do.
There are things to do.
There are things not to do.
There are things never to do.
Duu!
Wah’ah’puh’n.nin: dee.peh’n.pun huu’dee’baw’ee’ee iz’.in wah’ah’puh’n.tuhdum; the asker and asked are un-mentioned; open, no need to conjugate; Who is it? Who is it not? What is the person’s state? What led to the situation? What are they doing? What are they thinking?
Wah’ah’puh’uh…: why do you feel the way you do? what causes you to behave that way?
Well I am.? Where am I?.
Weh’eh’ai’iz.bo’uh? Eh’iz’sum’baw’aw’ee’ee? Eh’in’nuh’baw’aw’ee’ee?Eh’ez’uh’keh’uh’saw’ur’way’ay? Eh’ez’uh’keh’uh’saw’ur’baw’aw’ee’ee?
Ai’yi’ez’ee’ee’keh’uh’saw’ur’baw’aw’ee’ee? Eh’eh’in’ee’keh’uh’saw’ur’baw’aw’ee’ee?
Deh’eh’eh’n iz’zee’keh’eh’pee’ee’pul?
What happened?. Where is mom?.
Wah’ah’puh’n.nin
Wah’ah’puh’uh’mee?
Wah’ah’puh’uh yuu’uu?
Wah’ah’puh’uh hee’ee?
Wah’ah’puh’uh shee’ee?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh’ee’ee’men.bo’uh?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh’ee’ee’fel’lurz.bo’uh?
Wah’ah’pun.tee’eet.bo’uh?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh’aiyi’t.bo’uh?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh’um.bo’uh?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh’ai’ee’ee.bo’uh?
Wah’ah’pun.tee’ee’ee’ee.bo’uh?
Wah’ah’puh’uh wuhn.nuh.bo’uh?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh aw’l.luh.wee’ee?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh aw’l.luh.yuu’uu?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh aw’l.luh.rit?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh aw’l.luh.wun’nuh?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh awl’luh’ai’ee’ee’men?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh awl’luh’ai’ee’ee’fel’lurz~ ?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh awl~’luh’ai’ee’ee’wih’min~ ?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh aw’l.luh.dum?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh aw’l.luh.dem?
Wah’ah’pun.tuh.eh’ehv.vree’baw’aw’ee’ee?
Wah’ah’puh’uh.dem?
Wah’ah’puhn.tuh.dum?
Wah’ah’puhn.dah’aiyee’eet~?
Wah’ah’puhn.duh’ihn’?
Wah’ah’puhn.duh’aw’aw’uh’nee’eet?
Wah’ah’puhn.duh’uhnm~’puh’uhn’ee’ee?….
I am beloved for what is good to do, there is dignity in work, I am divine when I do the best I can do, success without determination is like a car without an engine, life is a dream, pursuit it; so apply yourself with vigor and zest and remember hard work is the key to success, good is loving.
A
If you didn’t at de christening, yuh shouldn’t be at the wedding.
Ef yuh din ah’ah.yee’ee kriss.nin, yun.shuh’uhn~ wa’aw’un bee aa’aa’yee’ee wedd.din.
– Do not get involved in something if you do not know how it started.
A soft answer turneth away rath.
Uh saw’off ans.suh turn.niff away’ay rah’ahf.
– Forbear because forbearance is wisdom is many situations.
A pint pot can hold a gill, but a gill can’t hold a pint pot.
Uh puh’ayint pawt caa’aan hoal’luh.gil buh’uh.gil cuh.hoal.lul puh’aiyint pawt.
– Not all situations are reversible.
Ask for the heaven the moon and the stars.
Ah’ahssk fuh’ee’ee heh’ehv.vun~ ee’ee muu’uun ing~yee stahr’arz.
– Asking for an exorbitant amount of things.
A bird in hand is better than two in the bush.
Uh bur’urd in haa’aan bet.tuh din tuu’ihng~yee buhsh.
– Holding on to appreciating what you have.
As yuh land, yuh come ashore.
Aa’aaz yuh.lan yuh cum’muh shoa’oa’r
– To wear something as soon as you buy it.
All in good time.
Aw’aw’l.ihnn.gud.tai’ayi’m.
– Everything will happen when it must if you are patient.
A thief from a theif make god laugh.
Uh teef fruh’uhm.muh teef mek gaw’aw’d lah’ah’f.
– In the end, illicit endeavours or enterprises are useless.
A carpenter wife nevah live in a good house.
Uh kar.pin.tuh waa’aiyi’f nev.vuh lih.ihv.vin.nuh gud haw.aw’sz.
– Skilled workmen seldom take time off to use their skills for personal advantage.
B
Bucket gine up and down in well evah day, de bottom boun’ tuh drop out.
Buhk.kit gai’aiyin up.pin.dow’ow’un ihng~yee wel eh’eh’eh.vuh day’ay, dee baw.tum bowng.tuh drawp.powt.
– Sustained pressure and exertion will eventually lead to a breakdown.
Blood runs thicker than water.
Blud run tik.kuh dan waw’aw.tuh.
– In any circumstance family and relatives are
Book learn in common sense.
Buk lur’ur’n in caw’awm.mun sen’ensz.
– Having a good education doesn’t replace traditional wisdom and perspective.
Better fish in de sea dan wha’ ketch.
Beh.tuh fih.ihsh ihng~’dee see din’wuh ketch.
– There is always someone that will make a better lover than the current one.
Bet who bet you.
Beht huu’uu beht yuu.
– Help those who help you.
C
Coward dog keep whole bone.
Kow’wurd dawg keep hoal.boa’un.
– Avoiding confrontation can keep you out of trouble.
Crow does fly high, but when ‘e come down, de ants does still eat out ‘e eye.
Croa’oa duz/iz flai’ai hai’ai but.weh’ee’ee kum dow’n dee ah’nts iz stil ee’ee’towt’tee’ai’ai.
– Some people may enjoy great prosperity and be excessively proud of it, but should bad luck surface, they may endure disgrace equal to or greater than the wealth they once possessed.
Can’t spell Ada backward.
Caa’aan spel ayduh bak.wur’urds.
– Doesn’t/incapable of understand words backwars and forwards.
Come through like the big McGuffy.
Kum tchruu’uu luhai’ai’k ee’ee bihg muhg’guffee.
– Big powerfuly heavy set person that draws attention as they enter a gathering.
Cut pumpkin can’ keep.
Kuht powngk.kin kun’keep.
– Once virginity is lost it is impossible to abstain thereafter.
Crave all, get none at all.
Cray’ayv awl in.geht nun’uh’tawl.
– A warning against covetousness.
Charge an arm and a leg.
Cha’ah’ah’r’g~ uh’uh’ah’ah’m in.nuh leh’eh’g.
– Ask a customer to pay a ridiculous price.
Cry for something!
Cruhai’aiyi fuh sum.ting.
– Punished for pretending, crocodiles tears.
Cheap tings nuh good.
Chee’eept~ tings ihn.nuh gud.
– Beware when things come too easy.
Cat luck en’ dog luck.
Kaht.luk ihn dawg.luk.
– What one person may get away, may cause problems for another.
Common/coward dog does bark in church.
Kawm.mun/caw’wur’urd dawg iz bah’ark.kin chur’urchch.
– Uncivilized individuals will conduct themselves in an uncouth manner irrespective of the situation.
D
Dead man can’t run from ‘e coffin.
Ded.man kah’aan run fruhm.mee kawf.fin.
– It is impossible to run from your responsibilities.
Don’t fly up in the face of god.
Doa’un fleh’eh’p ing~yee fay’ay’s.suh gaw’aw’d.
– Reprehensible action.
Don’t want to hear you see you or smell you.
Do’un waw’aw’aw’n see’eeyuh hay’ay’ayryuh aw smelyuh.
– No encounters at all.
Don’t know B from bull-foot.
Do’an noa’oa Bee frum bul.fut
– Can’t separate between two distinct things.
De tongue dat does buy yuh does sell yuh.
Dee towng dah’iz buh’aiyi.yuh iz sel.yuh.
– The same person who talks nicely to you, will betray you later.
The worse at home is like the best abroad.
Dee wur’ur’urs at hoa’oa’m lai’ai’k dee bes.suh abraw’aw’d.
– Seeking opportunity elsewhere at high risk, is not comfortable as good opportunities at home.
They are always on the war path.
Duh aw’way’ayz puh’ee’ee’ee waw’awr pah’ahff boa.
– They look for a fight when it’s inappropriate, that’s what it means.
De sea ain’t got nuh back door.
Dee see in gawt.nuh bak.doa’ar.
– The sea is not that safe a place; take every precaution necessary…Before you risk seaward keep your bearings on shore.
Do for do isn’t obeah.
Duu fuh duu inn.nuh obyee’yuh.
– You do bad to others and it comes back to you in the end.
Dah fuh lick ya.
Daa’aa fuh lik.yuh.
I know, you don’t know and I’m not telling you!
Dah gun do for ya.
Daa’aa gun.duu fuh yuh.
– That will bring about serious consequences.
Don’t tek a six for a nine.
Doa’un tek.kuh six fuh.uh nuh’aiyin.
– Do not misunderstand a person’s real intentions/ People may help, but understand their intentions.
Don’t rush de brush and throw away de paint.
Doa’un rush dee brush in chuh.way ee’ee pay’ayint.
– Do not allow haste to create problems for you.
There is more to the mortar than the pestle.
Duh’uz moa’ar tuh.dee maw’aw’tuh daa’an’ee pess.sul.
– There is more to the issue than appears on the surface.
There is more than one dog called bob.
Duh’m gawt moa din waw’un dawg nay’ay’m bawb.
– You might hear your name but the conversation doesn’t apply to you.
De berry don’ drop too far from de tree.
Dee ber.ree doan’un drawp tuu far.fruh’uh’ee tree.
– Children inherit traits and attitudes from their parents.
De dog dat bring a bone will kaah one.
Dee dawg dat brih.ihng uh boa’un gun kah’ah waw’un.
– The very person who gossips with you about other persons may also gossip with them about you.
Dum down behind god back.
Dum dow’own’g behai’ai’n gaw’aw’d baa’aa’k.
– They are in a distant rural place way-out in the countryside.
The devil and his wife is fighting for the cuckoo stick.
Dee dev.vul inn.nee wai’ai’f fai’ait.tin fee’ee’ee kuk.kuu stihk.
– Rain falling and sun shining at the same time, a passover.
De higher de monkey climb, de more ‘e show ‘e tail.
Dee hai’ai’yuh’ee’ee mowng.kee clai’aim, dee moa ee shoa’ee tay’ayl.
– The more you show off, the more your faults are brought to the open.
De las’ calf kill de cow.
Dee lass kaa’aaf kil.dee.kow’ow.
– Attempting to repeat the same action too often may result in disaster.
Donkey got long ear, but ‘e don’ like to hear ‘e own story.
Dawng’kee gawt lowng ay’ay’r, but ee doa’un lai’ai’k tuh hay’ay’r ee oa’oa’n stoa’ree.
– People do not like to hear or accept their own faults.
Don’ wait till de horse get out de stable to shut de door.
Doa’un way’t tuh dee hawr’s geh’ow’ow’t.tee’ee stay’bul tuh shut.dee doa’oar.
– Don’t wait until the situation gets out of control then to take corrective action.
De devil does find work fuh idle hands to do.
Dee dev.vil duz fai’aiyihn wuk fuh ai’dul hands.tuh duu.
– People with nothing to do, get themselves into mischief
De more yuh peep, de less yuh sih.
Dee moa’oar yuh peep dee les.yuh sih.
– Spying on others is a waste of time, as they will soon devise ways to out maneuver the spy.
Dirty water does cool hot iron.
Dur’ur.tee waw’uh duz kuu’uul hot eh’eh’uh’run.
– Once aroused, almost any woman, whether good or bad, can quench a man’s lust.
Don’t heng yuh hat wih yuh hand can’ reach.
Doa’un hing.yuh hah’aht weh yuh hah’ah kaa’aan ree’eech.
– Don’t strive for positions that are beyond your reach.
Don’ ship all yuh sugar in one vessel.
Doa’un shih’p awl.yuh shihg.guh ihn waw’un ves.sul.
– Do not risk all your resources in a single venture
Don’t let anybody shit in you mout and tell you it’s pudding.
Doa’un’n leh nuh’baw’aw’ee’ee shit.tin yuu.mowt in.tel.yuu ih’ih’iz pud.din.
– Don’t let anyone do or say anything harmful or insulting, under the guise that they are being nice.
Don’ leh nuhbody rub shit in yuh mout and tell yuh it is pudding.
Doa’un leh nuh’baw’aw’yee rub shiht in.yuh.mout in tel.yuh ih’iz puhd.din.
– Don’t let anyone do or say anything harmful or insulting, under the guise that they are being nice.
De same mout dat court yuh, don’ marry yuh.
Ee’ee say’ay’m mowt dat koa’oar’t yuh, doa’oa’n mahr.ree yuh.
– He who encourages you to do certain things is, never around when you desperately need their help.
De dog dead.
Ee’ee daw’g ded.
– It’s over.
De tongue dat buy yuh does sell yuh .
Ee’ee towng~ daht buh’aiyi.yuh duz sel.yuh.
– The one who flatters you now, may deceive you later
Don’ court Robin fuh ‘e rags.
Doa’un koa’aor’t rawb.bin fuh’uh’ee raahgsz.
– Don’t encourage a friendship only for what you can get out of it.
De blacker de berry, de sweeter de juice.
Dee blahk.kuh dee ber.ree ee swee’eet.tuh ee’ee juu’uusz.
– The darker the woman, the more sexually exciting she is.
De closer de bone, de sweeter de meat.
Ee’ee kloa’oa’suh ee’ee boa’oa’n dee swee’ee’tuh ee’ee mee’eet.
– Thinner women make better lovers.
E
Every fool got ‘e sense.
Eh’eh.vree fuu’uul gaw’aw’aw’ee seh’ehsz.
– No matter how dull and ignorant, everybody is knowledgeable in one area or the other.
Every dog has his day.
Eh’eh’v.vree/eh’eh’ehv.vuh daw’aw’g gaw’aw’ee’ee day’ay.
– Everybody has their time.
Eat soldier food, tek soldier blows.
Ee’ee’t soa’oa’ul.juh fuu’uud, tek soa’oa’ul.juh bloo’oaz.
– Do not expect to share in the benefits only, but be prepared to share in the problems as well.
Every man yuh see in a shirt and pants en’ neider man.
Eh’eh.vree maa’ahn yuhs.see in.nuh shur’urt in pah’ahntsz in’.need.duh mah’ahn.
– Do not expect all men to act responsibly.
Eat soldier food, tek soldier blows.
Ee’ee’t soa’oa’ul.juh fuu’uud, tek soa’oa’ul.juh bloo’oaz.
– Do not expect to share in the benefits only, but be prepared to share in the problems as well.
If you do your best, angels can’t do better.
Ef yuu duu yuu bess ay’aynj.jul cun.duu bet.tuh.
– Your sincere effort always wins.
Dee moa dee monkee climb dee moa he show he tail.
Ee’ee moa’ee’ee clai’aiyi’m dee moa’ee’ee shoo’oa’ee’ee tay’ey’l.
– The more the monkey climb the more he shows his tail.
Eat soldier food, tek soldier blows.
Ee’eet soa’oal.juh fuu’uud, teh’ehk soa’aol.juh bloa’oazs.
– If you share in the benefits you should be prepared to share in the problems.
Egg ain’t got no right ay rock-stone dance.
Eh’ehg in gawt.nuh rai’aiyt in raw’awk.stoa’oa’n danzs.
– You should avoid situations which can be harmful to you.
Every bush is a man.
Eh’ehv.vree buh’uhsh iz.zuh mah’ahn.
– Be careful how you talk about people because you never know who might be eavesdropping.
Ef yuh wuking wid paint you got tuh get daub (dirty).
Ef yuh wuk.kin widh pay’ay’nt yuh gaw’aw geht daw’awb.
– If you are working in a particular situation, at some point you will become affected.
Evah pig got a Saturday.
Eh’ehv.vuh pihg gawt uh saht.dee/saht.tuh.duh.
– Everyone will pay for his deeds at some point.
Evah skin-teet en’ a laugh.
Eh’ehv.vuh skihn.teet ihn.nuh lah’ah’f.
– Not all outward signs of friendliness should be taken as genuine; people who laugh with you aren’t necessarily your friends..
You can stand in the road and see the leak in someone’s house.
Yuh kuh stahn.nin’ee’ee roa’ud ins.see dee lee’ee’k in sum’baw’aw’ee’ee how’ow’ows.
– Unless you’re close to someone, you don’t know the true nature of their problems.
F
Fus trick en’ nuh trick.
Fu’uh’us trih’ihk eh’eh’n nuh trih’ihk.
– Having fool somebody once does not mean you can fool that person again.
Fighting sleep.
Fuhai’ai’ting sleep.
– Trying to stay awake when extremely tired.
Don’t fly up in the face of god.
Doa’an fleh’eh.up ingyee fay’ay’s.suh gaw’aw’d.
– Egregiously going beyond known limits.
Face set up.
Fay’ay’s seht.tup.
– Showing mood or discontent with something.
Fisherman nevah say dat ‘e fish stink.
Fih’ih’shuh.mun neh’ehv.vuh say’ay dah’ee’ee fihshsh stihnk.
– A person will never give a bad report about himself.
Force ripe fruit don’ got nuh taste.
Foa’oar’s rai’ai’p fruu’uut doa’oa’n gawt nuh tay’ay’s.
– This is used metaphorically to show disapproval of clever behaviour in children.
Force medicine good fuh mad horse.
Foa’aor’s meh’dih’dun gud fuh maa’aa’d haw’awrs.
– Nothing, even if it is helpful, should be forced upon anyone.
G
God don’t like ugly.
Gaw’d.doa’un lai’ayi’ik uh’uh’uhg.lee.
– Disapproval of injustice
Got me in the tizzit.
Gaw’aw’t mee’eeing~yee tizzit.
– Convulsing with laughter.
Get by how you can.
Get buh’aiuh how’ow ya kin.
– Find a way to thrive in the circumstance.
Getting down in their years.
Geh’eh’eh’ing! dow’own’g ihn thay’ay’r yay’ay’rs.
– Becoming old and feeble.
Go fly a kite.
Guh’in fluhai’ayi a kite.
– Go do something else, you’re annoying.
Get to France! Go from round me!
Geh’eh’eht.tuh fraa’aa’aa’ns/ Guh frum~ wrow’ow’ng me.
– Go away!
Get the buller.
Geh’eh ee’ee bul’.luh.
-Did not accomplished the expected outcome.
Give jack ‘e jacket.
Gih jah’ahk ee jah’ahk.kit.
– Give credit where credit is due.
Good looks can’ kaah tuh de shop.
Duh luks caa’aan kyah’ah tuh’ee’ee shaw’aw’awp.
– Having physical beauty in itself does not offer any practical benefits.
Get down to brass tacks.
Geht dow’ow’n tuh brass.taks.
– Discussing the core fundamentals of anything.
God and his wife is taking pictures.
Gaw’awd inn.nee wai’ai’f tek.kin pik.tchur’urz.
– Sheet lightning – lighting that is flat and spread, not in bolts; sends down Christmas harry back worms.
God help watchman in he help thief.
Gaw’aw’d hel’el’p waw’aw’tch.mun inn.nee hel’el’p teef.
– Things may go either way, depending on what is willed.
Gold teet don’ suit hog mout.
Goa’oal tee’eet doa’un suu’uut haw’aw’g mow’ow’t.
– Elegant accessories are inappropriate when used or worn by those who are not accustomed to such.
H
Hard ears yuh won’t hear, by and by you gine feel.
Har’ard day’ayr’z yuh wuh’un hay’ay’r, bai’ai in bai’ai yuh.gun feel.
Har’ard day’ayr’z yuh wuh’un hay’ay’r, oa’oa’un.way’ay.yuh’wuh feel.
– If you do not take heed to good advice, you will feel the negative effect of it.
Handsome don’t put in pot.
Han’sum doa’oa’n puht.tin pawt.
– Having physical beauty in itself does not offer any practical benefits.
Hay tud.day gaw’aw’n tuhm’maw’awr.
Here today, gone tomorrow.
– Know we could all be dead tomorrow, be serious about life.
Hold your belly and laugh.
Hoo’oal yuh belly an laf.
– To mourn the loss of a child.
Hold de light fuh de devil tuh sih, and when yuh get a chance, blow it out in ‘e face.
Hoa’oa’ul ee’ee lai’aiyi’t fuh’uh ee’ee dev.vul tuh.suh in wen.yuh geh’eh uh’chaa’aa’ns, bloo’oa it ow’ow’t in ee’ee fay’ays.
– When you know that somebody has bad intentions but is pretending they mean well,
you should play along with them until the opportunity comes when you can
foil their plans.
Head ‘en brain.
Hed in bray’ayn.
– Not everybody is wise.
Head hard like rock stone.
Hed har’ar’d lai’aiyi’l raw’awk.stow’oa’n.
– It is difficult to remember information and understand concepts.
High wind know where ole house live.
Hai’ai wih’n no’oo’oa weh’eh oa’oa’l how’ow’sz lih’ihv.
– Advantage is often taken of those who are weak.
Hurry-hurry never done.
Huhr.ree huhr.ree neh.vuh dun.
– Do not do things in a hurry, you may have to re-do it all.
Home drum beat first.
Hoa’oam drum beet fur’ursz.
– Before taking on someone else’s problems, you should first look after your family interest.
Hungry mek cat eat salt.
How’owng.gree mek kat ee’ee’t saw’aw’lt.
– Necessity often causes people to act contrary to their regular way of life.
Halfway en’ nuh warning.
Haa’aaf.way’way in nuh.waw’awr.ning~
– It’s no use warning a person to be careful without telling him what it is he should be careful about.
Hol de light fuh de devil tuh sih, and when yuh get a chance, blow it out in ‘e face.
Hoal ee’ee lai’ai’t fuh’ee’ee dehv.vul tuh’sih in wen yuh geh’eh chah’ah’ns bloo’oo’it ow’ow’t ingyee fay’ay’s.
– When you know that somebody has bad intentions but is pretending they mean well, you should play along with them until the opportunity comes when you can foil their plans.
I
If greedy will wait, hot will cool.
Ef gree’eed.dee wuh way’way’t hawt wuh kuu’uul.
– Your patience in a situation will be rewarded.
If looks could kill I would’ve died a long time ago.
Ef luks kuh.duh uh wud.duh ded eh’eh’vuh.sensz.
– Your hateful thoughts and beliefs don’t affect me.
I don’t play.
Uh’ai’aiyee do’un play’ay.
– There is energy invested in stupidness that serves no purpose whatsoever.
I born by myself.
Uh’ai’ee baw’awr’n buh’ai mah’ai seh’lf.
– Everybody is personally responsible for their actions; dissident views or opinions necessitate spending time alone to stay on course.
If you didn’t at de christening, yuh shouldn’t be at the wedding.
Ef yuh din ah’ah’yee kriss.nin’g~, yuh shun bee’aa’aa’ee wehd.ding~
– Do not get involved in something if you do not know how it started.
I don’t put nothing/anything pass…
I do’un put neh’eh’n/en.neet.ting pass…
– People are capable of anything dastardry the mind can imagine.
In saying nothing.
Ihn seh’eh’eh’ng~ neh’eh’eh’n.
– The quality is not very good.
I only hear you because I’m not deaf…
Uh’ai’ee oa’un.nee hay’ay’r yuh caw ai’ai’in deff…
– I’m not ingesting any of your comments, but can hear them.
I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.
Uh’ai’ee’in aah’aahs.kin yuu ai’ai tel.lin yuu’uu.
– I’m certain, that’s the way it is.
“If ah did know..” does come too late.
Ef’uh had’duh noo’oa’oa iz cum tuu’uu lay’ay’t.
– It is better to think before taking unwise or rash action, which you will later regret.
If yuh can’ beat a man yuh got tuh ‘gree wid ‘e.
Ef’yuh kaa’aan bee’ee’t.tuh maa’aa’n yuh gaw’aw gree’ee wih’ihd.dee.
– If you can’t beat them, join them.
If black bird fly wid pigeon ‘e will get shoot.
Ef blahk bur’urd flai’ai wih pihj.jin ee wuh geh’eht shuu’uut.
– If you associate with the wrong people you will get the same treatment that they do.
If rain water en’ full yuh barrel, dew water can’ full it.
Ef ray’ay’n wa’aw.tuh in ful.yuh bah.ruh, djuu wa’aw.tuh kaa’aa’n ful.lit.
– If you did not successfully convert the opportunities offered in your life, it is unlikely that when there are less or no opportunities available, that you will find success.
It en’ de gun dat does kill yuh, it is de shot.
Iht’ing.yee gun daa’aa’iz kil.yuh ih’ih’ihz dee shaw’awt.
– It is usually the small problems, not the big ones that cause the most difficulty.
It don’t tek a big axe tuh cut down a big tree.
Iht doa’un tek.uh bihg.ax tuh kuht.downg~uh bihg.tchree.
– Size, or lack of it, does not limit capabilities .
I talking out of my mouth.
Uh’ai’ee taw’aw’awk.kin ow’owt.tuh muh’ai’ee mow’ow’t.
– I didn’t hit you, I confronted you boisterously.
K
Know your place.
Noo’oa yuh play’ays.
– Know who you are, what you are, what you’re saying; acknowledge the situation.
L
Lime juice can’ spoil vinegar.
Lai’ayi’m juu’uusz kun spai’aiy’l/spoy’oy’l vihn.nuh.guh.
– An individual can’t be corrupted by another who is less corrupt.
You look like you keep you clothes in a pillow case.
Yuu’uu luk luhai’ai’k yuu’uu’z keep yuu’uu cloo’oaz in.nuh pil.luh cay’aysz.
– Your clothes are wrinkly and you look unkempt.
Can’t sleep like you killed a priest.
Caa’aa’n slee’eep luhai’aiyi’k yuh kil.luh pree’ee’ee’st.
– Having severe insomnia.
Look like it went through the hog mout.
Luh’uh’uh’k.kit wehnt tchru’ee’ee haw’aw’g mowt.
– It’s full of wrinkles.
Like a sucklin pig on a buffet table.
Luhai’ai’k a suk.klin pig pun.nuh buf.fay’ay tay’ayb.bul.
– Laughing with your mouth wide open.
Like it gine out of fashion.
Lai’ai’k iht gai’ai’n out.tuh faa’aash.
– As if it will leave, and we’ll have to wait for it to return in it’s next time.
Like lambs to the slaughter.
Luhai’ai’k lams tuh.dee slaw’aw’aw’tuh.
– Dotishly being led into a bad situation.
Loose goat don’t know wha’ tie goat sih (see).
Luu’uucs goa’oat doa’un noo’ooa wuh tai’aiyi goo’oa’t sih.
– One has to be in someone else’s shoes in order to understand what he is going through.
M
Making bare sport.
Mek.kin bay’ay’r spoo’oar’t.
– Not being serious.
Mek sure better than cock-sure.
Mek shoa’oa’r beht.tuh din cok.shoa’oa’r.
– It is better to make absolutely sure that everything is all right rather than assume that all is well.
Money is the root of all evil.
Muhn.nee iz.dee ruut.tuh awl ee’eev.vul.
– Greed causes people to behave immorally and contrary to their nature.
Monkey sih, monkey do.
Mow’ow’ng~kee sih, mow’ow’ng~kee duu.
– A mild reprimand for imitating the behaviour of others.
Mouth like it washed in a poe.
Mow’ow’t laiuh’ai’k it wash.shin uh poa’oa.
– Speaking excessively.
N
News don’ lack a carrier.
Nuu’uuz doa’un lak.kuh kyaa’ree’yuh.
– There is always someone ready to spread anything newsworthy, especially if it’s gossip.
Neither here nor there.
Nuhaiee’d.duh hay naw day.
– It’s not one thing or the other.
Nuh name, nuh blame, nuh lock up, nuh shame.
Nuh.nay’ay’m nuh blay’ay’m, nuh law’awk.kup, nuh shay’ay’m.
– If no names are called, no one can be accused.
No crocodile tears.
Nuh craw’awk.kuh’dai’aiy’l tay’ayrsz.
– Don’t feign emotional response when unaffected.
No respect for god or man/ backwards tail.
Nuh ree’spek fuh gaw’aw’d naw’aw’r man/ bakwur’ur’dz tay’ay’l.
– Incorrigibly unruling constant irreprehensible behaviour.
Never eat and forget.
Nehv.vuh ee’eet in fuhg.geht.
– Do not show ingratitude by forgetting the hand that feed you.
Night talk and day talk should ‘gree wid Christian.
Nai’aiyit taw’awk in day’ay taw’aw’k shuh gree’wid’krisht.tchyun.
– Christians or self-respecting persons should show consistent behaviour.
Never wuk (work) ground fuh monkey run pon (on).
Nehv.vuh wuk growng~ fuh mowng~kee ruhn pun.
– You should not exert great energy on a venture knowing that some unworthy person will benefit.
O
One smart dead at two smart door.
Waw’un smahrt ded aa’aaht tuu smahrt doa’ar.
– There’s always someone ahead of you in the game.
Yuh could hide and buy ground but you can’t hide in wuk it.
Yuh.kuh hai’aiyi’d in.buh’aiyi grow’ng but yuh’kaa’aan hai’ai’d in wuk.kit.
– Every action has consequences that rare soon obvious.
One hand can’t clap.
Waw’aw’n han kyaa’aan claa’aap.
– Team-spirit and co-operation is required.
Only dogs return to their vommit.
Oan.nee uh dawg iz ree’tur’tee’ee vawm.mit.
– When you get out a bad situation, you shouldn’t return to it.
One-one blow does kill ole cow.
Waw’un bloa’ao duz.kil oa’ul kow’ow.
– What may seem like a trivial irritation may create a catastrophe if repeated often enough.
Only a dog does return to ‘e vomit.
Oa’oa’un.lee uh daw’aw’g duz ree’tuhr’uhr’n tuh’ee’ee vaw’awm.miht.
– Once free of an offensive situation, you should avoid returning to it.
Ole coachman nevah forget de snap o’ de whip.
Oa’ul coa’oachch nehv.vuh fuh.geh’eht ee snaa’aah.puh ee’ee wih.ihp.
– You rarely forget a skill which you have learnt and practised for a long time.
Ole stick a fire don’ tek long tuh ketch back up.
Uh aa’ul stihk uh fuh’aiyi’yuh doa’un tek.lao’owng~ tuh kehtch bak.kuh’uhp.
– Once two people have been lovers, it takes very little for them to become lovers again.
P
Pretty things does fool little children.
Prih.tee tingsz duz fuu’uul lih’ul chyil.druh’uhn.
– Only naïve people are impressed by mere show.
Ps and Qs.
Pees an kyuu’uuz.
– Best behaviour; vigilant.
Play wid puppy an’ ‘e lick yuh mout.
Play’ay wih’ee puh’pee’ee in.nee lik yuh.mow’owt.
– To be overly familiar with those of a lower status creates an atmosphere for them to treat you with scant respect.
R
Rat mout’ does sell ‘e head.
Rat.mow’owt duz sel’ee’hed.
– Careless talk can be dangerous.
Respect due to a dog.
Reespek iz djuu/duu tuh’uh daw’aw’g.
– Respect others regardless of their race, gender, religion or status.
S
Small pitcher got wide ear hole.
Smaw’awl pihch.chuh gaw wai’ai’d ay’ay’r hoal.
– Be careful what is said in front of children who might understand far more than you think.
Skinning your teeth like you eat roast dog.
Skinnin yuh teet luhai’ai’k yuh ee’ee’t roo’oa’s daw’aw’g.
– Grinning widely for a long time.
Stawp ai’aiyi ray’ayping~
Stop eye raping.
– Don’t look at women in a lustful manner making them uncomfortable.
Studiation beat eddication.
Stuhdeeayshun bee’eet edd.deekayshun.
– Common sense is necessary with formal education.
Same to you.
Say’ay’m tuh.yuu.
– May the good you hope for me return to you.
Show you which god you serving.
Shoo’oo yuu which gaw’aw’d yuu sur’urv’ving~
– Clarify the relationship between different people.
Separate de sheep from de goat.
Seh.puh.ray’ay’t ee’ee shee’eep fruh’uhm~’ee goa’oat’t.
– Know the sincere relationship between yourself and others;put everything in the correct category.
Such is life.
Suh’uhch iz luh’ai’f.
– Things iz what they iz.
Sunday go to meetings.
Suhndee guh.tuh mee’eet’tings~.
– The best clothes you own.
T
Taking on.
Tek kaw’aw’n.
– Not paying much attention to or digesting thoroughly a situation.
Tekking time en’ laziness.
Tek.kin tai’ai’m in lay’ay’zee’niss.
– By taking your time, you can achieve a lot.
They will see which god they’re serving.
Duh wuh’see’ee wuh gaw’aw’d duh sur’urv.vin.
– When they receive their consequences they will realize they were too.
Thank God for small kindnesses.
Taa’aa’nk gaw’aw’d fuh smaw’aw’l kuhai’aiy’n.nis’sis.
– Be grateful for the “small things in life;” Be simple.
Take what you get until you get what you want.
Tek wuh.yuh geht.tuh yuu geht.wuh.yuh’waw’aw’nt
– Be patient in pursuing what you wish to own.
The sea is clean itself.
Ee’ee see’ee iz clee’ee’n iht.sehlf.
– Sea water is clean no matter how much filth goes into it(it has a suck).
Tongue and teet does got words.
Tow’owng in teet duz/iz gawt wur’urd.
– The most loving couples may quarrel on occasions, so don’t be overly upset by a little spat.
Trouble make the monkey eat pepper.
Trub.bul mek dee mow’own’g.kee ee’eet peh.puh.
– Necessity or hard times forces people to do uncharacteristic things.
Two poor cow does mek good dung.
Tuu poa’ur kow iz mek gud dow’owng.
– A couple can overcome their poverty by pooling their resources together.
Trouble don’t set up like rain.
Truh.bul doa’un’n seht.tup lai’ai’l ray’ay’n.
– Misfortune often happens without any warnings.
Two smart rat can’ live in de same hole.
Too smar’ar’t rat cuh lih’iv ing~yee say’ay’m hoal.
– Two tricksters can’t get along with each other.
Talk does mek talk.
Taw’awk duz/iz mek taw’awk.
– When somebody tries to pick a quarrel, it is best to remain silent.
U
An eye ful isn’t a belly full.
Uh uh’ai’aiyiful innuh bel.lee ful.
– Watching a beautiful woman doesn’t satisfy you; seeing it isn’t like having it in your possession.
…(x) can’t touch (y)…
…(x) ca’an tuh’uh’ch (y)…
– Variable x does not approach variable y in quality/is no way near as good.
I laugh my belly full.
Uh laa’aa’f muh bel~lee ful.
I laughed really hard on a hungry stomach.
I near ded with laugh.
Uh nay’ay’ay’r ded wuh laa’aa’f.
I laughed so hard dying.
W
Who de cap fit, leh he draw de string.
Huu’ee kap fih, leh’ee draw’aw ee’ee strih’ihg~
– The person who knows he is guilty about something will react accordingly.
Who so don’t like so.
Huu’soa doa’oa’un lai’ai’k soa.
– A hypocrite never likes when another person does the same thing.
When you hear the shout.
Wen.yu hay’ay’r.ee’ee show’ow’ow’t.
– You just have to hear what happens next.
When a bird fly too fast he does fly pas’ ‘e nest.
Wehn.nuh bur’urd flai’ai tuu faa’aast ee’ee’iz flai’ai pas’aas ee neh’eh’s.
– It is never wise to be overly ambitious.
Wuhever pun de ground is fuh de cat and de dog.
Wuh’uh.eh’eh puh’uh’ee grow’owng~ fuh’ee’ee kaht ingyee’ee dawg.
– Finders keepers.
Whoever got clothes hang out does look for rain.
Huu’eh’ehv.vuh gawt kloa’oa’uz hang~.owt duz luk duh ray’ay’n.
– When people get defensive, it usually means that they have something to hide.
Water does run, but blood does clot.
Waw’aw.tuh duz ruhn buht bluh’uhd duz claw’awt.
– Relatives should take care of each other.
When yuh en’ got horse, ride cow.
Wen yuh’in gawt haw’wars rai’ai’d kow’ow.
Ef yuh’in gawt haw’wars rai’ai’d kow’ow.
– Utilize whatever resources you have available.
We’ve never seen such more.
Wuh ai’ah’eeaiyi neh’eh’v.vuh seen such moo’oo’r.
– This type of ridiculousness is unbelievable.
Wuhever pun de ground is fuh de cat and de dog.
Weh’eh’ehv.vuh puh’uh’n~ee’ee grow’ng fuh’ee’ee kahts ingg~ee’ee daw’aw’gsz.
– Finders keepers.
When yuh keep company wid fowls and dey shit pon yuh table, it is hell to get out de stain.
Wen yuh’kee’eep kom’puhn’nee wuh.fow’owlz in duh shih’iht pun.yuh tay’ay.bul ih’iz hel.tuh geh’eh’ow’owt~ ee’ee stay’ay’n.
– Associating with undesirable people can bring you trouble which could prove difficult to resolve.
White mout fowl does eat and den wipe ‘e mout in de grass.
Wai’aiyi’t mow’ow’t fow’ow’ul duz ee’eet in dehn wai’wai’p ee mow’ot ing’yee graa’as.
– Some people don’t show gratitude.
Wait til yuh trough put an’ bubble in it.
Way’t tih’yuh guh’tchruu puht in buhb.bul ihn.nit.
– This is a veritable insult meaning mind your own business.
Wha’ yuh do in de dark does come out in de light.
Wuh’yuh duu ingyee’ee daa’ark duz kow’ow’ownt~ ingyee lai’ai’t.
– It is impossible to hide all of your actions.
Whoever got clothes heng out does look fuh rain.
Huu’eh’ehv.vuh gawt kloa’oa’uz hing.ow’owt duz luk.fuh ray’ay’n.
– Whenever people go on the defensive, it means they have something to defend.
Wha’ yuh eye en’ sih, yuh stomach will tek.
Wuh’yuh’ai’ai in.sih, yuh stuhm.muk wuh tek.
– What you don’t know won’t hurt you.
When yuh pick corn pon more dan one row, yuh don’ know wih yuh get yuh bag full up.
Wen yuh pik.kawr’un pun moa’uh’uh din waw’aw’n roa’oa, yuh doa’un noa weh’eh yuh geht yuh ba’ig ful.lup.
– If a woman has relations with several men, she will not be sure which one got her pregnant.
Wha’ hurt turkey don’ hurt duck.
Wuh hur’urt tur’urk.kee doa’un huhr duh’uhk.
– What may pose a problem for one person may not have that effect on another.
Wha’ sweeten goat mout does bun ‘e tail.
Wuh swee’ee’tun goa’oat mow’ow’t duz bun’ee’ee tay’ay’l.
– A source of great pleasure may turn out to be a problem later on .
When a dog does suck egg, ‘e does get blame fuh evah ting.
Wen uh dawg duz suk eh’ehg, ee duz geh’eht blay’ay’m.
– Once a person has committed an offensive act, they are automatically blamed when that offence has been committed again.
Who help yuh buy a big guts mule don’ help yuh feed it.
Huu hel’el’p yuh bai’aiyi uh a bih’ih’g guh’uhtz myuu’uul doa’un hel’el’p yuh fee’eed.it.
– The person who leads to trouble is never around to help you get back out.
Wha’ mout she, han’ can’ do.
Wuh mow’owt shee haa’aa’n kyaan duu.
– It is not always easy to support your boast with thorough action.
When yuh see a man fishing in a dry pond, don’t call ‘e a fool.
Wen yuh see’uh’ma’aan fish in.nuh drai’ayi paw’awn, doa’un caw’awl’ee uh fuu’uul.
– Do not scoff at someone’s actions if you do not know what he/she is doing.
Y
Yuh can’ plant yam and reap eddoe.
Yuh ca’aan plahnt yaa’aam in ree’eep ed.duh’uh.
– You are rewarded or punished for what you specifically do.
You act like you made yourself.
Yuu’u’z ak lai’ai’k you mek.yuu’uu’sel’el’f.
– Behaving arrograntly leading to unacceptable behavior.
You got champagne tastes and mauby pockets.
Yuh gawt shaa’aa’m.pay’ay’n tay’ay’s in maw’aw.bee pawk.kits.
– You can afford much cheaper healthy food and drink, and prefer to reach for the expensive.
Always in the gambling den.
Aw’way’ays ing~yee gambling~ den.
– Spending time playing games of chance.
Yuh can’ want it in de glass and de bottle too.
Yuh caa’aa’n waw’aw’n.tit ing~’yee glaa’aas in ing~’yee bawt.tul tuu.
– You can’t have it both ways.
Yuh can’t be poor and show poor.
Yuu’uu caa’aan be poo’oa’r in shoa’oa poa’oar.
– You must always be well kept.
You like you brain addle.
Yuu luh’ai’k yuu bray’ayn ad.dul.
– You don’t remember anything.
You wait!
Yuu’uu way’ay’t.
– I’ll deal with you harshly in a while.
You can carry a cow to the water but can’t make it drink.
Yuh cuh kyah a cow tuh’ee’ee wawt.tuh but yuh caa’aan mek.kit drih’ihnk.
– One can lead in the right direction but can’t force someone to help themselves.
You buy ice and fry it.
Yuu bai’ai’y ai’ais.sin frai’ai’ayit.
– You’re wasting things in a ridiculous way.
Yuh can’ stop yuh ear from hearing but yuh can stop yuh mout from talking.
Yuh caa’aan staw’awp yuh ay’ay’r frum hay’ayr.ring buh’ut yuh cuh staw’
awp yuh mow’owt frum taw’awk.kin.
– A warning against repeating what one has heard.
You don’t even kick a dog.
Yuh do’un ee’vun kik uh daw’aw’g.
– Behavior towards the most lowly is still respect.
Yuh got tuh christen yuh own child before yuh can len’ out de christening clothes.
Yuh gaw’aw kriss.sun yuh’oa’oa’n child bee.foa yuh’cuh’lenn.nowt dee kriss.nin cloa’oaz.
– You must solve your own problems before trying to solve someone else’s.
Yuh got more tricks dan a monkey.
Yuh gawt moa’oa triks din.nuh mowng~kee.
– You are very clever and resourceful.
You got a plaster for every soar.
Yuu’uu gaw’aw plaa’as.tuh fuh’ev.ree soar.
– You have a response for every situation/contention; you always cover your tracks.
Yuh does rust out before yuh wuck out.
Yuh duh’uz russ.sowt bee’foa’oar yuh wuk.kowt.
– Hard work can’t kill you.
Yuh don’ buy cow when yuh can get free milk.
Yuh’uh doa’un bai’aiyi kow’ow wen.yuh caa’aan geht free’ee mih.ihlk.
– Why bother to get married when you are already enjoying the privileges of married life; men you give everything to outside of marriage have no need to marry you.
Yuh got tuh christen yuh own child before yuh can len’ out de christening clothes.
Yuh gaw’aw’uh kriss.sun yuh’oa’oa’un chai’ai’l bee.foa’oa yuh cuh len.nowt ~dee’ee kriss.ning~ kloa’oa’uz.
– You must solve your own problems before trying to solve someone else’s.
Yuh can’ want it in de glass and de bottle too.
Yuh caa’aan want.tit ing’yee glaa’aas in ing’yee baw’awt.tul tuu.
– You can’t have it both ways.
Yuh can’ put mangoose tuh watch chicken.
Yuh cuh puht maa’aang.guu’uus tuh watchch~ chihk’kin.
– Never trust people with things which will be a great temptation to them.
You head hard like rock stone.
Yuu hed har’ar’d lai’ai’k rok.stoo’oo’un.
– It is difficult to remember information.
You can’t want it in the pitcher and the pint too.
Yuh ca’aan waw’aw’awn~’it ing~yee pihchuh in ing~yee pint too.
– Having two different/separate simultaneous situations or outcomes isn’t possible.
Yuh head ain’t mek fuh hat alone.
Yuh heh’eh in mek fuh.hat uh.loa’oa’n.
– Used your common sense.
Yuh can’t be in de church and de chapel too.
Yuh caa’aan be ing’yee chur’urch in ing’yee chah.pul tuu.
– Concentrate and pay attention to what you’re doing; pay attention to what concerns you not other people’s business.
You spit up in the air and it come down and hit you in the face.
Yuh’uz spiht.tup ih’ihn~’ee’ee ay’ay’r in’ih’iz’kum’bak’down’g~in hih’t~.yyyyuh~in.yuh fay’ay’s.
– Inappropriate disrespect for respected respectors comes returns in the end.
You have to separate the sheep from the goat.
Yuh’uh’z.gaw’aw sehp.puh.ray’ay’t ee’ee sheep~fruh’uhm~ ee’ee goa’oa’t.
– Make a clear separation between two similar things.
Institutional Renaissance Academic System 