| The residents of the ABC Islands - Aruba, Bonaire and | | | | Papiamento may never be known only seems to |
| Curacao - have long spoken the language known as | | | | grant the language a mystique to match its exotic |
| Papiamento. This Creole language is the product of a | | | | surroundings. Learning just a few simple phrases can |
| unique history that, in many ways, tells the story of the | | | | go a long ways toward showing the friendly people of |
| entire Caribbean region and its colonial past. The | | | | Aruba that you are a caring and knowledgeable |
| Papiamento lexicon draws about 60% of its terms | | | | traveler. The locals you interact with will appreciate |
| from Portuguese (including some Spanish influence), | | | | your effort, while you will have fun learning a little |
| 25% from the Dutch tongue and an additional 15% | | | | Papiamento. Though you may not have heard of |
| from West African languages. Today, many Arubans | | | | Papiamento before reading this article, the language |
| speak Dutch, English and Spanish in addition to their | | | | won't seem as "foreign" as you might expect. If you |
| native Papiamento - now the official language of the | | | | have ever studied Spanish or Portuguese you will |
| Netherlands Antilles and the ABC Islands. While | | | | immediately recognize many terms and have an easy |
| historians and linguists are able to determine the origin | | | | time adapting to the language. As you prepare for |
| of most Papiamento words, the origin of the language | | | | your trip to Aruba, consult this list of commonly used |
| is still debated. There are two primary theories | | | | terms and phrases: - Halo = Hello - Ayo! = Goodbye! - |
| regarding the creation of the Papiamento language. | | | | Por fabor = Please - Danki = Thank You - Si = Yes - |
| First, scholars for many years believed that | | | | No = No - Meneer = Mister, Sir - Señora = Mrs., |
| Papiamento developed in the Caribbean to facilitate | | | | Madam - Bon bini = Welcome - Bon dia = Good |
| communication between African slaves and the | | | | morning - Moro = a more casual way to say "Good |
| Portuguese-speaking traders. According to this theory, | | | | morning" - Bon tardi = Good afternoon - Bon nochi = |
| Papiamento remains primarily a combination of African | | | | Good night - Con ta bai? = How are you? - Con ta c'e |
| and Portuguese tongues, while Spanish and Dutch | | | | bida? = How is life? - Mi ta bon, danki = I am fine, thank |
| influences entered the language later as the ABC | | | | you - Tur cos ta bon = Everything is alright - Hopi bon |
| Islands changed colonial hands. More recently, a theory | | | | or Tremendo = very good - Con yama bo? or Con bo |
| has developed that places the roots of Papiamento in | | | | nomber ta? = What's your name? - Ami yama... or Mi |
| the west coast of Africa and the Cape Verde Islands. | | | | nomber ta... = My name is... - Di unda bo ta? = Where |
| During the 16th and 17th centuries, nearly all the slaves | | | | are you from? - Mi ta bin(i) di... = I come from... - Mi ta |
| that arrived in the Caribbean (and elsewhere in the | | | | biba na... = I live in... - Di nada! = it was no trouble at all! |
| New World) passed through the ports of western | | | | (or, it was nothing!) - Laga nos ban sali = Let's go out - |
| Africa. Several Creole languages developed at these | | | | Ainda no = Not yet - Te mañan = Until tomorrow |
| ports - including Guene which bears a strong | | | | - Te mas awero (Te' oro) = See you later - Te |
| resemblance to Papiamento - and eventually made | | | | despues = Till the next time |
| their way to the Caribbean. Many Arubans even have | | | | Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Aruba [ for |
| there own theories on where and when Papiamento | | | | the Marriott Resorts. |
| developed. However, the fact that the true story of | | | | |