Language Learning

1. Kijan ou di "mèsi" an kreyòl ayisyen?

   Ki-jan ou di "mè-si" an kre-yòl a-yi-syen?

   How do you say "thank you" in Haitian Creole?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a basic expression in Haitian Creole

   Grammar Note

   Haitian Creole is a creole language developed primarily from French

2. Tanpri pale pi dousman.

   Tan-pri pa-le pi dous-man.

   Please speak more slowly.

   Usage

   A polite request to slow down speech

   Grammar Note

   "pi" forms comparatives meaning "more", derived from French "plus"

3. Èske ou ka ekri sa pou mwen?

   Ès-ke ou ka e-kri sa pou mwen?

   Can you write that down for me?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to write something down

   Grammar Note

   "èske" introduces yes/no questions, equivalent to "is it that" in English

4. Kisa mo sa a vle di?

   Ki-sa mo sa a vle di?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Used to ask the meaning of a Creole word

   Grammar Note

   "vle di" derives from French "vouloir dire" (to mean, literally "want to say")

5. Mwen ap aprann kreyòl — èske nou ka pratike ansanm?

   Mwen ap a-prann kre-yòl — ès-ke nou ka pra-ti-ke an-sanm?

   I'm studying Creole — can we practice together?

   Usage

   Used when looking for a Creole language practice partner

   Grammar Note

   "ap" is a progressive aspect marker. Creole has no verb conjugation; aspect particles mark tense

6. Kijan ou pwononse sa?

   Ki-jan ou pwo-non-se sa?

   How do you pronounce this?

   Usage

   Used to confirm pronunciation in Creole

   Grammar Note

   Haitian Creole pronunciation is broadly similar to French but simplified

7. Èske ou ka rekòmande yon bon resous pou aprann lang?

   Ès-ke ou ka re-kò-man-de yon bon re-sous pou a-prann lang?

   Can you recommend a good language learning resource?

   Usage

   Used to ask for Creole language learning resource recommendations

   Grammar Note

   "pou" in "pou aprann lang" means "for (doing)" and follows the noun "resous" (resource) to give its purpose

8. Kijan aksan lokal la ye isit la?

   Ki-jan ak-san lo-kal la ye i-sit la?

   What is the local accent like?

   Usage

   Used to ask about regional variation in Haitian Creole

   Grammar Note

   "Kijan ... ye?" is the standard frame for asking what something is like. "la" is the definite article for the preceding noun "aksan lokal" (local accent)

9. Èske gen yon evènman echanj lang isit la?

   Ès-ke gen yon e-vèn-man e-chanj lang i-sit la?

   Is there a language exchange event here?

   Usage

   Used to look for local language exchange events

   Grammar Note

   "gen" is the existential verb "there is/are" in Haitian Creole

10. Mwen se yon debitan — tanpri gen pasyan avèk mwen!

    Mwen se yon de-bi-tan — tan-pri gen pa-syan a-vèk mwen!

    I'm a beginner — please be patient with me!

    Usage

    Used to say you are a beginner and ask for patience

    Grammar Note

    "gen pasyan" means "have patience". "pasyan" derives from French "patience"

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