How many times do you use the verbs am, are, is, & to be in a day? Probably too much to count lol!
The Haitian translation of the verbs above is “se”. However the word “se” is one of the most confusing verbs for leaners to grasp. Remembering the rules will help you avoid common mistakes learners make.
Se Rule #1
Do not use “se” before adjectives and prepositions when stating general facts and truths
Adjective = words that describe a person, place, or thing (eg. bèl, lèd, nwa, blan)
Preposition = words that describe place and location (eg. nan, sou, avèk)
Simple present tense = used to describe general facts and truths (eg. Mwen rele Eunice.)
Sample Sentences
Machin nan pwòp. ✓
The car is clean.
Nou la. ✓
We are here.
Chat yo nan chanm nan.
The cats are in the room.
Se difisil. X
Li difisil. ✓
It is hard.
While you read and listen to things in Creole, highlight or write down all the sentences you hear that follow the rule above. You can use the content in this email.
Rule #2 will be featured in the next newsletter.
CH
What Haitian Creole letter is this? How do you pronounce it? Is it like the English “ch” in the word cheap?
Watch the CH video to find answers and tips to pronouncing CH correctly.
CH Vowel Combinations
Watch the video to hear all the combinations of CH with each vowel.
Let’s see if you understand the Haitian letter CH. How many Haitian letters are in the words below? Send us your answers.
Remember these rules with Haitian pronunciation:
- there are no silent letters in a word
- every letter in a word needs to be pronounced
- every letter has only one way it is pronounced
Visit our Letters of the Haitian Alphabet page for more information about the rest of the Haitian alphabet.
Haitian Culture: Depatman Grandans
Let’s test your reading comprehension while learning a few facts about Depatman Grandans lan. A depatman is an administration district in Haiti.
Depatman Grandans se youn nan dis (10) depatman jewografik e administratif Ayiti. Vil prensipal la se Jeremi. Depatman Grandans plase uityèm an grandè e an popilasyon.
Lizyè
Depatman Grandans bòne nan zòn nò pa gòf Lagonav, osid pa depatman Sid, alwès pa lanmè Karayib, epi alès pa depatman Nip. Abitan Grandans yo pote non Grandansyen (for men) oswa Grandansyèn (for women).
Zile
Depatman Grandans gen zile Gran Kayemit ak zile Ti Kayemit ki chita kò yo alwès preskil Baradè a.
Kot touristik e komèsyal
Nan kot depatman Grandans yo, ou jwenn lapwent Bèk, labe Kayemit, labe Jeremi ak lapwent Dam Mari. Kot lwès la bay labe Dam Mari ak labe Ziwa.
Rivyè
Depatman Grandans gen kat rivyè: se rivyè Wozo, rivyè Vòldwog, ak rivyè Grandans ki al tonbe nan gòf Lagonav epi rivyè Dam Mari ki al chwe kò li nan Lanmè Karayib.
Pwodiksyon agrikòl
Nan mòn depatman Grandans yo abitan yo plante anpil kafe, men lavale Grandans pwodwi kawotchou nan Mafran ak nan Ansdeno. Ou jwenn tou plantasyon kakawo nan zòn Ansdeno epi bannann, kann, ak fig nan Dam Mari. Labapen, lam veritab, ak siwo myèl pa janm manke nan Depatman Grandans.
Zòn istorik e touristik
Fò Mafran, toupre Jeremi, te konstwi pou defann Ayiti kont retou posib lame fransè a. Se sou bitasyon Latibolyè, toupre Jeremi, Jeneral Aleksann Dima te pran nesans.
Resous anbatè
Gen sis min boksit ki identifye nan Dam Mari, Jeremi, Ansdeno, Koray, Pestèl ak nan Kayemit. Ou jwenn tou kèk min manganèz nan depatman Grandans.
Prezidan Franswa D. Lejitim sot Jeremi.
Original Source: Diksyonè Ilistre Lang Ayisyen by Édition Konbit. ISBN: 978 2 9809640 84. Google Maps.
Review Questions
- What did you learn?
- What interests you the most about Depatman Grandans?
- What facts are you ready to share with others?
Extra Credit
For pronunciation practice, record yourself while reading this aloud and send us the recording. We’ll be happy to give you a few pointers!
Avoid these 6 language learning obstacles
What language learning obstacles should you avoid to be successful in your learning? Watch the video to learn about the wrong mindset and perceptions people tend to have about languages, and why we shouldn’t learn unnecessary things or over plan.
YouTube video by Lindie Botes
Send Us Your Answers
Feel free to send us your answers to the questions. We actually take time to read them lol.
