Online Patois classes to begin in November

After weeks of celebrations and activities held by the Alliance Française of TT in recognizing Patois month, those interested in the language were given one final surprise. The alliance will host virtual Patois classes from November 2.

Patois month is recognised every October. It is also called International Creole month.

And this year, the group’s activities included storytelling, head-wrapping tutorials, medicinal remedies, traditional dances, food tasting, among other things.

Director of the alliance, Alexandra Mengue told Newsday the events were on Zoom owing to the covid19 pandemic – the first time each event had to be virtual.

She said, “On International Creole Day (October 28), we had a conference with eight different teachers that speak eight different types of Patois and everyone could understand each other...The whole purpose of the month was to introduce Trinidadians to the Creole culture.”

She said they wanted to wait until the month was over to begin the classes, as people would be more informed of the culture by then.

“I met an 18-year-old and he remembered his grandparents would speak Patois to him but he wanted to come and fully learn in the class. He couldn’t remember some of the words,” she said.

The classes will be taught by language teacher Nnamdi Hodge, who has been working with the group for the past five years.

The classes will be held every Monday from 5-7 pm for 11 weeks at a cost of $750.

Those interested can register at info.alliancetnt.org.