Chat-bout.net - Jamaican Proverbs

Jamaican Proverbs - Solid

Jamaican Proverbs, are as pretty as they are proud.

American culture threatens Jamaican identity, but Joan Andrea Hutchinson remains rooted in tradition. A longtime proponent of the retention of African based aspects of Jamaican culture, Hutchinson has released Jamaican Proverbs ... Pretty and Proud.

As the title suggests, the CD is a collection of sayings passed down through generations, each accompanied by amusing explanations delivered with Hutchinson's trademark wit.

Thirty-eight tracks comprise this offering from the self-described "rural-minded city girl".

Undercurrent of humour

There is also a song promoting the use of Jamaican proverbs, not only to keep the culture alive, but as a way to understand life's complexities.

Underneath it all runs an undercurrent of humour, which entertains as well as underscores the positive perspective that has brought many a Jamaican through good times and bad.

The preservation of 'things Jamaican' clearly holds high importance for Hutchinson, who has already released two books (Inna Mi Heart: Jamaican Love Poetry and Meck Mi Tell Yuh) and six recordings, all centred on Jamaican poetry and prose.

She points to the children of this country - exemplified by those in her immediate circle - as the driving force behind her commitment to keep interest in the country's culture alive.

Hutchinson has appeared in plays - several of which she has co-written - and presented on Caribbean language at internationalconferences.

She produced folklorist Louise 'Miss Lou' Bennett's last major recording.

Changing of the tongue: Yank slang takes over

	Yankee	Yard talk
	'Oh, man!'	'Jah know, star!'
	Hi	Hello
	'Like, duh!'	'So, yuh neva know dat?'
	'Hi, boo/Hi, sweedie'	'Wha'ppen babes'
	'What's up!'	'Wha' gwaan!'
	Props	Big up
	My bad	Sorry 'bout dat'!
	Dawg	My youth/'Bredrin'