Fun Facts

While the official language of Barbados is English, Bajan Dialect (pronounced bay-juhn) is often spoken and mixed in with English in everyday life.

Bajan Dialect is an English-based creole spoken on the island, influenced by West African languages and English. The extent of dialect usage  by each individual may be influenced by socio-economic status; where one lives and where one has attended school.

Some characteristics include:

• More simple grammar (Eg. “I am good” (meaning well) becomes “I good“, eliminating the verb)
• “th” sounds are replaced with “d” sounds (Eg. “this” sounds like “dis“)

Bajan Dialect Examples:

• Wuh gine on? – What’s going on?(meaning How are things going)
• I good. Wuh bout you? – I’m doing good (well). How about you?
• (Wuh) part you gine?– Where are you going?

Specific Bajan expressions:

• Cheese-on-bread! (common expression or exclamation, often used to express excitement, frustration, or disbelief)
• Kaffufle– You got my head kaffufle (You have me confused)-
• Bruggadung!– a word used to imitate the sound of a loud impact or crash

• “Yes, please” , while not a part of Bajan dialect specifically, is a common and friendly phrase used in Barbados as a polite agreement or enthusiastic response. You will likely encounter this expression if you have everyday interactions with Bajans (Barbadians).

Popular Bajan Proverb:

The sea en’ got nuh back door.
(The sea has no back door)
Meaning: The sea can be an unsafe place.