Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2018 | Page 566

SJ: Why don’t you speak to your daughter in
Creole or encourage her to speak it?
VC: I think it affects the way you write and
speak English. [I fear] the negative stereotypes
she will face if she’s heard speaking it. SJ: What do you think about the efforts to
increase awareness of Creole?
VC: I think it’s a good idea, a good initiative. I
believe everyone will welcome it. I think they’re
[society] beginning to embrace it.
SJ: Is Creole written?
VC: No. Never. Yes, if I’m joking with my
brother or cousins. It’s not professional to send
an e-mail in Creole. It sounds funny. SJ: This has been a most interesting
conversation. Thanks Val!
VC: You’re welcome Shana! Any time!
SJ: Is zouk or any other music type sung only in
Creole? How is it received?
VC: Some [zouk] is sung in Creole, but it is
more sung in French. Some soca and calypso
songs are sung in Creole only. They are very
popular. We’ve had some Calypso kings who
have won [competitions] with songs in Creole. We went on to discuss Creole Heritage Month
(October), a celebration of traditional St.
Lucian culture. Jounen Kwéyòl, the highlight
of the month, takes place on the last Sunday
in 4 different communities every year. On this
day, community streets burst alive in a frenzy
of Creole food, games, folklore, music, and
traditional madras dress. I’ve already planned to
meet Val for this year’s festival!
SJ: Have you ever spoken with someone from
Dominica in Creole? The two Creoles are almost
the same.
VC: Most definitely. It [Dominican Creole] is
slightly different. The accent is different and
some words are different. I can also understand
Haitian Creole. The somewhat bittersweet relationship Val
has with her language strikes me, but it’s not
unlike that experienced elsewhere in the
Caribbean. I remain hopeful that St. Lucians will
one day embrace Creole as the vibrant symbol
of history that it is and celebrate it freely,
regardless of where or when it’s spoken.
Coconut leaf-covered bouillon, a typical local dish enjoyed on Jounen Kweyol
PC: Denzil Benjamin George (George Photography)