A shipment of voice-activated kites has just arrived in Barbados. Unfortunately, the shipment had been delayed by a combination on unseasonably high waves, and were also caught up in "red tape" at the port as the importer tried to expedite their entry into the island to catch the usual feverish interest for kite flying during Easter. I hear that the kites, however, will be available free, on a first-come first-served basis, until noon at a kiosk on Broad Street bearing the name "Come and get it". After noon, any remaining kites will be sold for B$1.99: very affordable and well in keeping with new government plans to hold down the price of essential goods.
Although the kites were made in China--the country that invented kites--and have been a great hit there with the Mandarin-speaking population, they have been modified to understand commands in standard English.
Bajans buying these kites will need to yell their kite commands clearly and in a voice that sounds more like that of a visiting tourist from Manchester than their usual version of Caribbean English. If this is not possible, I fear there will be some disappointment as the kite lies on the ground, limp, waiting for a draft of hot air to help it rise.
Bajans buying these kites will need to yell their kite commands clearly and in a voice that sounds more like that of a visiting tourist from Manchester than their usual version of Caribbean English. If this is not possible, I fear there will be some disappointment as the kite lies on the ground, limp, waiting for a draft of hot air to help it rise.
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