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Language & Legacy




By Adriana Murray



How much of our modern day language and colloquialisms are distinct markers from our past?



Let’s take that classic staple in Bajan vernacular called a “stupse”. The stupse sometimes called a “suck teeth” is a sharp piercing extended sound that’s understood by all trained Caribbean ears. Historian Dr. Trevor Marshall explains the origins of this onomatopoeia.  He states that this sound was derived from the tense and strained relation that existed between the slave and the ‘massa’ (slave master).

A relation built on what was thought to be property or a commodity the African man faced the brunt of cruelty  as mere property at the hands of a Caucasian or white man. The right to freedom of expression was out of the question for a slave. Any rude words, rebuttals or smart remarks were punishable by death or loss a limb. Of course the African man being the creative soul that he was found a nifty way to air his concern and disdain. 



The frustration of the slave was therefore relayed through a stupse. The historian further explained that whether the origins of the stupse were from Africa is uncertain. It is clear that the master had annoyed the African in some way and in response to that action was an equal and opposite reaction…a good old stupse.



This Caribbean tradition of stupsing to express discontent or annoyance was passed on from generation to generation. Historian Marshall warned that if you dared to respond to your elders with a stupse their reflex action would be a slap in the face.  This was because elders interpreted a stupse, as disrespect of the highest order. This sentiment was also shared by the slave masters. 



 Call & Response



Linguistics is the scientific study of language according to the Linguistic Society of America. Here we delve further into the linguistic origins of one of our distinct oral traditions: The call and response which permeates our Caribbean folk music, calypsos and storytelling.  Call and Response is a rhythmic conversation between two musicians, one playing a sound (the call) which is answered (the response) by the other musician.  



The cultural tradition seems to be ingrained in the African community since the beginning of time. Nathan Keegan described the method in his article like this “The call-and-response, a pattern of two distinct phrases played by different musicians in which the "response" is a commentary on the "call," has likely existed since the dawn of Africa's language-proficient communities.”



The call and response method truly encapsulates strength of a people and formidable retention. The method was used during spiritual practices and at large social gathering.  It is said to have permeated through communities which are south of the Saharan Dessert. Today we can hear this African cultural practice is interlaced into popular music such as Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rap and Rhythm and Blues. 



Locally the artistic style is depicted in our folk songs. The style creates the perfect stage for storytelling.  Let’s take the classic folk song: Sugar Cane by The Barbados Folk Singers. 



Call

Sugar cane growing on mi native land

Response

Cut the sugar cane till it bun me hand

Call

And I work out in the field from morn till night

Response 

Cut the sugar cane till it bun mi hand

Call

I just told me little niggers they can catch a bite

Response

Cut the sugar cane till it bun mi hand

Call 

And I work out on the plantation every live long day

Response 

Cut the sugar cane till it bun mi hand 



This story told through this traditional style perfectly depicts the hardships of life on the plantation. Be sure to listen to the whole story. Imagine this piece of culture travelled from the shores of Africa and is now an intricate part of our cultural identity.   


                           This video does not belong to me.



References
Call-And-Response An Ancient Linguistic Device Surfaces in Usher’s “Love in the da Club” (Article) Nathan Keegan

Trevor Marshall Historian

http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/loop-independence-special-folk-songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiK6EWbvGJ0



 (long version)




















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