Define Me? You Better Do It Well.

When people try to get smart with language they often fall flat on their faces and lot like prats. For this morning, I was heartily amused by an article in the Advocate, 'Musings: Words that define us'. Well, I am NOT English, but have studied it and lived with them for nigh on three decades. I have to say that the piece is aactually, a load of codswallop, innit. Silly season still has few more days to run, cor blimey. Streuth! If this is how the Bajan mind is working then the recession has a long way to run yet, fella.

If the writer really thinks that nations are being defined by their words for bottom (bam-bam, batty, fess, tush, bungie...) or the general terms for a person (Bob, mate, man, you, boy,...), then Lord help us. What about things like the quality of art and the way people walk and comport themselves? None of that is important? 

Time was when I was not allowed to walk around with my hands in my trousers pocket. I was not allowed to go out without a 'kerchief in my pocket. I was not allowed to go out without a parting in my hair (black men and boys always looked sharp with that razored parting).

Time was when a woman or girl would never cross her legs, or if she did it would mean one leg tucked discreetly behind another. Time was when on meeting a child he or she would address and adult with"Yes, sir" or "Yes, Ma'am." Time was when the word "Please" and its buddy "Thank You" did not have to be paid for.

Time was when a profanity was not heard except in the worst of all situations and it was maybe just the one word, and it could be "Damn it!". Now, the f- word is sprayed over the oral landscape like drizzle.

The words that define us are many not few. The things that define us are many not few. We like to trivialise the elements of our existence and put them into a few little buzz words. We each and collectively have much more texture than that.