Know that Patois is very closely related to French. In St. Lucia, the “R” is typically a “W.” Take the word "Creole." In Patois, it is pronounced "Kweyol," changing the “R” to a “W.”
Try a few of these Patois words on your next Caribbean vacation and see what reaction you get. Particularly in St. Lucia, as you enter a building, office or even board a bus, children and adults alike greet each other with common courtesy by saying either "bozu" (good morning) or "boswé" (good evening).
Memorize these common words:Alé (go)Boswé (good evening)Bozu (good morning)Su plé (please)Mési (thank you)Padon (excuse me)Ki lé i yé? (what time is it?)Koté mwe? (where am I?)Ki bél péi! (what a lovely country!)Mwe vlé o bwé (I want a drink)Vini (come)Wum (rum)Wi (yes)No (no)Pwéso (fish)Bef (beef)Pul (chicken)
Make it a practice to learn 10 simple phrases or words before traveling to a foreign country. No one wants to be classified as an “ugly American.” The travelers who make these small efforts are rewarded tenfold in the level of service, kindness and enjoyment they experience while obroad.
