Understanding local dialects can help english-speaking travelers feel right at home when communicating with those locals who speak in dialect.

The National or official language of Barbados is English. Although English is the official language in Barbados, you will often hear “Bajan” dialect, which is an English-based Barbadian Creole.

English has been the official language of Barbados since it is early settlement days by English colonists.
The influence of the English on Barbados is more noticeable than on other islands in the West Indies.

Here are some of Barbados, phrases, meanings available below:

pail {fade}

retarded { mentally backward

pit latrine {a deep hole in the ground acting as an outside toilet, with a wooden hut built around it.}

ackee tree {a tropical tree bearing sweet fruit.}

bulla cake {a hard sweet flat cake {a favourite with jamaican children.}

subsided {shrank, cowered}

Chuh just teef {just sneak out, you idiot!}

paranoia {fear of being spied on}

chopped {punch hard}

nyam off people food {eat others’ food because of being starved at home}

fudgesticks {wooden lollipop sticks}

unrelieving {brought no relief from the hea}

hove in sight {came into view}

yams {tropical vegetables similar to sweet potatoes}

hide up { saved up and hidden away}

bird-speed {vey quickly}

bassa bassa, {fight brawl}

sweet-man {attractive to girls}

fight-grandmother {a terriffic punch-up

mob-o’-ton {champion}

heckling {cheering loudly}

stingy-brim and shades {trendy hat and designer sunglasses

mash-up {spoil}

maulsprigging {beating up}

wunna {you/your}

Glendairy {the island’s prison}

in fire-rage {violently angry}

one another belly {each other’s bodies}

render {show}

he behind {his backside}

promulgate {encourage}

St. judes {a neighhbouring village}

is lashes like peas {blows from the sticks rained down}

hot i.e. hot tempered, violent

tarpaulin {canvas cover hiding the sticks}

you mekking mock-sport! {you’ve got to be joking!}

fi lick {to thrash}

pickney {children}

Dixie Peach hair rubbing {a brand of perfumed hair oil popular with West indians.}

de pickney dem {those damn kids}

tink seh is {think that is}

womaniser {flirt, ladies’ man}

generous-looking {physical attractive}