Listen to and Follow The Podcast at SOUVNI ON THE MIKE with Podcast Transcripts available. Advanced Haitian Creole Learners, you have arrived :). Souvni On The Mike stands as a vibrant cultural beacon in the digital soundscape, offering a weekly immersion into the heart of Haitian language and life. This Haitian Creole podcast transforms the airwaves into a dynamic classroom and cultural salon, where education, entertainment, and community connection converge. Follow the podcast.

Friday, September 14, 2012

I was told that if a Haitian person runs his finger across hi neck, it means he is hungry. In this country ( the US) it means something much more threatening. What is your take on this?

A hungry Haitian is more likely to hold on to his belly or stretch his hand out as a sign of begging than run his finger across his neck.
If a Haitian, or anyone else, gestured me by running his finger across his neck I would ask my little legs to take me away from that individual as fast as possible:  Pye, sa'm te manje m pa't ba ou!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What time do you work today? / At what time do you work today? / When do you work today?

At what time do you work today?
A kilè'w pral travay jodi a?

When will you go to work?
Kilè'w pral travay?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Thursday, September 13, 2012

"This place is crazy" (busy, crowded, noisy, etc.)

This place is crowded (busy).
Kote sa a plen moun.
Kote sa a chaje ak moun.

This restaurant's always crowded.
Restoran sa a toujou chaje ak moun.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"It's OK" or "Everything will be fine" to provide reassurance to a shy or scared individual.

Everything will be fine.
Tout bagay va byen.
Tout bagay va pase byen.

Don't worry, everything will be ok.
Pa enkyete'w, tout bagay va ale byen.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

...about the LETTER....

how do you say I'm not going anywhere?

I'm not going anywhere.
Mwen pa pral okenn kote.
Mwen p'ap fè yon pa.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say car windshield in creole

How do you say "it is cheaper" ?

cheap → bon mache
cheaper → pi bon mache
it is cheaper → li pi bon mache

It is cheaper in the other store.
Li pi bon mache nan lòt magazen an.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I'm not sure what this verb form is called... but I'm looking for the grammar of things like: ...are being broken.. ...are being taught... ...are being eaten... etc.

What you have it here is the PASSIVE VOICE in the  (present) PROGRESSIVE FORM.
You won't find this in Haitian Creole.  You will find the ACTIVE VOICE in Creole:

I am being eaten alive.
Y'ap manje mwen tou vivan.

I am being watched.
Y'ap siveye mwen.
or
Gen yon moun k'ap siveye mwen.

I am being replaced in my job.
Yo ap ranplase mwen nan travay mwen an.
Y'ap ranplase'm nan travay mwen an.

I'm being abused by my wife.
Madanm mwen ap abize'm.

See other posts  about active voice / passive voice
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what does koutwazi mean?

Eske koutwazi oubyen bon lizay pa ta endike ke lè pasaje ap moute kamyonèt sou gran wout, yo ta dwe kite fanm yo monte anvan? Se pa ti bouskilad mwen te pran lotrejou lè mwen t'ap seye moute yon taptap.

Mwen pa fin twò save nan zafè savoir-vivre ak bon etikèt non, men mwen panse genyen yon tan pou chak bagay.  Yon ti koutwazi ta bon vre, men si gen yon gwoup 20 fanm ak 2  nèg ap tann yon kamyonèt, enpi nèg yo tonbe ap fè galan, kite fanm yo monte nan chak kamyonèt chaje ki pase, enben mesye yo p'ap janm gen chans monte non.  Yo p'ap janm gen mwayen rive nan destinasyon yo.
Mwen ta panse nan yon sitiyasyon konsa, se kite sa ki te la anvan monte an premye.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I searched your lessons on possessives but couldn't find this: what is the difference between "kay mwen" and "kay pa mwen"? Is there any difference in meaning or where they are used?

Grammatically,
mwen, in kay mwen, means my and is a possessive adjective.
Sa se kay mwen.
This is my house.

and,
pa mwen, in kay pa mwen, means mine and is a possessive pronoun.
Sa se kay pa mwen. (non contracted)
Sa se kay pa'm. (contracted)
This house is mine.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words


what does KEM mean

Chak ti gout dlo plizyé milyon Ayisyen itilize pou yo bwé fók yal bouske tribòbabò dlo, ki kab kòz disantri.eske fraz sa kòrék

You're trying to say, "Every drop of water that many millions of Haitian use to drink, they must go fetch from different places water that may cause dysentery"?

Li kòrèk konsa:
"Chak ti gout dlo plizyè milyon Ayisyen itilize pou yo bwè, fòk y'al bouske tribòbabò dlo ki kab koze dizantri."
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
 

"Men, sa map tann pou mwen kòmanse chèche vre rezon ki fè m'la, lakòz ki fè mwen rete kole sou teren lavi."

But, what am I waiting for to start looking for the real reason I'm here, the reason that keeps me stuck on the  terrain of life
or
But what am I waiting for to start looking for the real reason I'm here, the reason that keeps me clinging to life????

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words