Each caribbean accent, which is the most difficult to understand?

Show all answers

concerned_vincy

If you stay somewhere for about 2 weeks, and you stay with the people of the area, you will find that you can understand them, what ever their accent is.

Angela

Of the English speaking islands, I'd say Jamaica because of the Patois spoken among some. I will say, however, that much like the US with proper english and slang, the same would apply for any island. Listen to a rap song and you notice some artistes speak a lot of slang & you may need someone to translate if you don't listen to it often. There are people "from the country" who may not speak quite the same (they speak more raw and less clearly). You have those who speak properly at their job, and slang around their friends. Barbados slang has a lot of words that are not used in other English speaking places (cawblen, cahfuffle, cheezun, etc). Jamaica slang have their own set of words as well that are used in everyday talk (haffi, unno, gwaan), though if unaccustomed, one may not understand their purpose. Both Barbados and Jamaican slang is spoken rather fast so that may be why you feel it's more difficult.

After listening to a number of persons from various islands, I'd say there are people from Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Barbados, Jamaica, and VI that can be difficult to understand. The accent itself really isn't the issue, but the slang/patois itself. The English speaking islands learn the 'Queens English' in school and when speaking properly one should be able to understand them.

Jouvert

I think the Bajan accent is the most difficult to understand to the untrained ear. But being from Trinidad, I know we Caribbeans understand each other very well. BIG UP WE ISLAND PEOPLE!

Bajanqt

Jamaican patois

Barbados Chick

I have lived in Bim for 2 years and still get lost in a conversation some times. Bajans have their own way of leaving words out and substituting other "sounds". That is why Bajans repeat everything 3 times... ya ya ya, hi hi hi,come come come...because even they do not understand each other.

links305

i can understand all of them im jamaican

MADNESS!!!!

WELL IF YOU FROM THE CARIBBEAN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND ALL OF THEM........ IM JAMAICAN.... BIG UP!!!!!

Taimeen

I think its more the person speaking than the accent, being of caribbean descent (cuban/jamaican) I understand most other islanders, but I still run across a few, who I'm like, what the heck are they sayin?! People have completely disregarded things such as enunciation, pronunciation, and grammar, which makes it very difficult to understand even if your used to it. Also with all the slang and rapid talking it doesnt make things easier. There is no reason why anyone from an english speaking caribbean island should be hard to understand because they have all learned either American English or the Queens English and if they want you to understand them, they are able to "switch up" the way they speak. It's a matter of if they want to...but I have found the people who are hardest to understand because of this; US Virgin islanders and Bajans a close second....

Sleek

Puerto Rican

thisisnotdel

Barbados, but I understand them very well since I speak Bajan dialect, yes, I caught on quick. :) But maybe I'd have a hard time understanding if it's Guyana.

La Flaca

Living in Puerto Rico, I have grown accustomed to hearing lots of different accents. By far, the hardest to understand is in St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands. Because French is the widest spoken language over there, it's always been tough for me to understand.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: