FRENCH INFLUENCE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

FRENCH INFLUENCE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Introduction to French

HISTORY

From the advent of arrival of the French in 1783 to 2020 the French culture continues to be enshrined in our cultural heritage today.

Multiple Choice

What year did the French come to Trinidad and Tobago?

• 1873

• 1783

LANGUAGE

Due to colonization, the French had a powerful impact on our culture, especially our language. French patois, which is a mixture of French and Twi or Yoruba words, dominated the island. French patois is still spoken by very few members of the population, most are found in the hills of Paramin.

Multiple Choice

Which area in Trinidad and Tobago is patois still spoken?

• San Fernando Hill

• Champs Fleurs

• The hills of Paramin

• San Juan

COMMON WORDS USED THAT ARE OF FRENCH ORIGIN

• Fête – party

• Mon Doux-Doux – My sweet, sweet

• Ma comère – Godmother/Child’s godmother

• Mauvais langue – Bad mouth

• Oui - yes

Multiple Choice

What is the English meaning of "Mauvais langue"?

• Party

• Bad breath

• Godmother

• Bad mouth

FEMALE NAMES OF FRENCH ORIGIN

• Charlotte

• Claudette

• Lauren

• Anne

• Merle

• Monique

• Solange

MALE NAMES OF FRENCH ORIGIN

• Maurice

• Jean

• Noel

• François

• Marcel

• Pierre

LAST NAMES OF FRENCH ORIGIN

• François

• Baptiste

• Pierre

• Rostant

• Olivier

• Du Pont

Places in Trinidad and Tobago whose names are of French Origin

• Blanchisseuse - Washerwoman

• Champs Fleurs - Flower field

• Cascade - Waterfall

• Carenage - dock where boats get repaired and cleaned

• Laventille - La Ventaille - The Wind

PLACES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO THAT ARE OF FRENCH ORIGIN

• La Romaine - The Scale

• Petit Valley - Little Valley

• Pointe-à-Pierre - Point of Stones

• Bon Accord (Tobago) - good agreement

  
  

Open Ended

Name two places in Trinidad and Tobago whose names are of French origin?

COMMON FRENCH FOODS

OMELETTE

CROISSANT

QUICHE LORRAINE

BAGUETTE

French Fries did NOT originate in France!!! They have been traced back to BELGIUM!

OUI, BELGIUM!

Poll

Which French foods you like best?

• Omelette

• Croissant

• Quiche Lorraine

• Baguette

CARNIVAL

Carnival was brought to the islands by the French. It was a series of parties, masquerade balls and street parades reserved for the White elite. Slaves began their own parade called Canboulay after their emancipation in 1830 to mimic their slave masters.

Multiple Choice

What was the name of Carnival celebrations before it was just called Carnival?

• Fête

• Canboulay

• Concert

• Elite Carnival

CARNIVAL FESTIVALS

• J’ouvert (the break of day)

• Dimanche Gras (Fat Sunday)

• Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)

• Jab Jab – Diable diable (devil devil)

• Jab Molassie – Diable Molassie (Molasses Devil)

Open Ended

Name two Carnival festivals whose names are of French origin.

OUR FOLKLORE

• Folklore in Trinidad and Tobago and many parts of the Caribbean are influenced by West African and French Creole traditions. Some popular folklore characters are:

  *Their names are derived from the French language.

• La Diablesse – Devil Woman

• Lagarou – Loupgarou – Werewolf

• Papa Bois – Father Forest

BEYOND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

CARIBBEAN FRENCH SPEAKING COUNTRIES:

• Haiti

• Guadeloupe

• Martinique

• French Guiana

Multiple Select

Choose all the French-speaking Caribbean countries from the list below.

• Martinique

• St. Lucia

• Haiti

• Guadeloupe

• French Guiana

Do you know this building? Where is it located?