Guari Guari the English of Bocas

Rick who lives in Bocas has a great piece about Guari Guari the English dialect spoking in the Bocas del Toro islands in Panama.

It is very similar to Jamaican English which I am very familiar with. In Panama City you will also often hear especially older black guys talk English together. Some of them are from Boca’s, but many of them are from Panama City’s own Afro Caribbean neighborhoods like Rio Abajo.

Anyway read Rick’s post and keep an eye out for what is also my favorite:

One of my all time favorite quotes: “Dem aks plenty questions. Only ting que falta is dem aks you how you lie down wid you wife”. Roberto was refering to a census team from the UN that came through the area a while back… Another good one: “How you umen?” “She plenty sick.” “What happen?” “She have rocks in she liver.” (gall stones - they eventually came out and she is fine now).

There are many Jamaican words that have spread into Panamanian Spanish as well, such as Gyal (girl), Cyar (car), Backside (well backside). It certainly brought a smile to my face first time a taxi driver told me to:

mira el backside de la gyal.

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Comments:

Great post! It is important to mention also that the "reggaeseros" (reggae singers) use the half guari guari they know, combined with "urban and ghetto" slangs in their songs. Not a good thing at all if we think about it.
Hugs,
M

Posted by: melissa_cookingdiva at March 8, 2006 08:02 AM