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Thursday, September 29, 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

How do you say "unbraid" the hair.

chair → cheve, chive

braid → trese

unbraid → detrese

cornrows → tikouri, kòdonèt

comb the hair into one ponytail → penyen chou

comb the hair into individual little braids (which are not cornrows) → penyen lage

Unbraid your hair.
Detrese cheve ou.

Comb your hair.
Penyen tèt ou.
Penyen cheve ou.

Comb my hair into a ponytail.
Penyen m chou.

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise
Solèy leve

Sunset
solèy kouche

When the sun dies down a bit.
solèy bese

We'll start the meeting at sundown.
N'a koumanse reyinyon lè solèy kouche.

I like you / I dont like you

I like you. → Mwen renmen w.

I don't like you. → Mwen pa renmen w.

This friend is you.

This friend is you. → Zanmi sa se ou.

mwen pa komen

Mwen pa konnen.
I don't know.

Mwen pa't konnen.
I didn't know.

Eske ou pa't konnen?
Didn't you know?

Creole translation please: Do you know who this friend is? and Will you help me?

Do you know who this friend is?
Eske ou konnen kilès zanmi sa a ye?

Do you who she/he is?
Eske ou konnen kilès li ye?

Do you know him/her well?
How well do you know him/her?
Eske ou konnen li trè byen?

Will you help me?
Eske ou ka ede mwen?

In your opinion, if I go to Haiti, what are some places/things I absolutely must see?

Best time to go to Haiti:
Carnival / Mardi-gras time in February. The cities of Port-Au-Prince and Jacmel are bursting with colors, music, dances, food and fun around that time.

Best places to visit:
Haiti's countrysides
Bassin Bleu waterfall near Jacmel
Etang Saumatre (a large lake) near the capital (only if you want to fish and see nature)
La Citadelle in Cap-Haitian (some hiking involved, offers great views of the city)
Musée National in Port-Au-Prince (If it's still standing after the earthquake)

Best things to do:
Sightseeing (enjoy watching colonial-style homes, watching caribbean life) in Petionville, outskirts of Aux Cayes, Jacmel, Arcahaie, Jeremie.
Head for the beaches of Aux Cayes (South), Jacmel (North), or Arcahaie (West)
Hiking in the southern hills of Comble Fort, Terre Rouge, St Jean du Sud, and others
Fishing
Diving
Surfing
Boating

I am not sure in what condition Haiti's forest (Forêt des Pins) is at this time.  You might want to check it out too. 
Once you leave the capital, Haiti's countryside is just miles after miles of beautiful landscape, beautiful beaches, mostly tropical weather, and lots of smiley faces

It's best to have a native tag along with you, preferably a strong man who can talk his way out of a "jam" if necessary.

se yon ti gason

it's a boy.

Ask me anything

hello my friends

Bonjou zanmi mwen yo.

Ask me anything

i can't left myself go

Mwen pa ka lage tèt mwen.
or
Mwen pa kite tèt mwen ale.
or
Mwen pa ka abandone tèt mwen.

I knew it.

I knew it.
Mwen te konnen sa.
or
M te konn sa.

Prann e-mail la.

Pran e-mail la.
Take the e-mail (literally)
Open the e-mail. (overall meaning)

I forget the papers in the car.

Mwen bliye papye yo nan machin nan.

Ask me anything

I want to remember you vs. I want you to remember vs. I want your memories (i.e. I am envious of your experiences)

I want to remember you.
Mwen vle sonje ou.

I want you to remember.
Mwen vle ou sonje.
or
Pa blye.

I am envious of your experiences.
Pito mwen te nan plas ou.
or
Mwen swete m te nan plas ou.
or
Mwen swete se mwen ki te fè esperyans ou yo.