Brooke vs. Kriol

Today the standard 6 students had an exam in San Ignacio, so I was in charge of the Standard 4 & 5 classes—and after my 40 minute lesson, I had nothing to teach them. So, they gave me Kriol exercises with the Kriol-Inglish Dikshineri, instead.

I copied some words and created a quiz for your reading pleasure.

1. Does “backarop” mean

1. to sing a rap about having one’s back
2. to hit on one's back
   
3. to go in reverse
4. a bag you wear on your shoulders

Context: Ah wahn backarop di kaa, soh moov owt a di way.

2. Does “memba” mean

1. participant
2. a large cat in the puma family
3. a type of dance
4. to remember

Context: Yoo neva memba yu oan bertday?

3. Does “nyoo” mean

1. new
2. me and you
3. yoo-hoo!
4. 12 noon

Context: We ga wahn nyoo Faada da fi wee choch

4. Does “prosikyoot” mean

1. sort of cute
2. prosecute
3. prostitute
4. still a youth

Context: Polees di tek lang fi prosikyoot di teef.

5. Does “bizniz” mean

1. show business
2. cheese whiz
3. big nose
4. personal life

Context: Stap poak yo noaz eena mi bizniz.

Bonus Round

Does “pis-a-bea” mean

1. bed-wetter
2. bee killer
3. little green nut
4. type of flower

Context: Mei lee gyal ten an ih da reel pis-a-bea.

When the Kriol lessons were over, I showed the kids some card tricks and then taught them how to play Kemps so we could have a Kemps tournament, which went well and was very educational, I think. With an hour left until lunch, even after the tournament, we had no choice but to resort to hangman.

Me studying my Kriol, while they play hangman

This is random, yes, but every day I stare out the window at this tree shaped like a duck, and I just wanted to share

After lunch, it was volleyball until 3 (their big volleyball tournament is Thursday), and I am proud to say I took one for the team. This time it was teachers vs. students, and I did not have to play on the boys team. Although, now that I think about it, all the teachers were boys…

Cheering squad

My “one for the team”

Tomorrow is my last day at San Marcos school, so we’re having a party.
Classes break on Thursday for a 2 week Easter Break.

It’s the beginning of the end for me here...

ANSWERS

1. C
I am going to put the car in reverse, so get out of the way.

2. D
You don’t remember your own birthday?

3. A
We have a new priest at church.

4. B
The police are taking a long time to prosecute the thief.

5. D
Stop poking your nose into my personal life.

Bonus: A
My little girl is ten years old, and she’s a real bed-wetter.