Paula Chakravarti
Translation Guide
Spring 2006
I was trying to determine what I should do for my final project and decided a translation guide may be helpful for future groups. This should hopefully prevent them from facing the same frustrations I faced. They should hopefully be able to have some kind of meaningful conversation with either Creole or Spanish people. The bulk of the translation guide focuses on the medical care since that is the area where I devoted most of my time. My desire is for the translation guides to help those like me communicate with both Creole and Spanish speakers in the Dominican Republic. This will help make the experience more memorable and allow a more direct connection to those who were visited.
The translation guides are separated by language. There is one from English to Creole and another from English to Spanish. The content is similar between the Creole and Spanish translation guides, but not exact due to difficulty in translation of certain phrases.
- Creole translations are spelt the way they would be pronounced. They are not necessarily the correct spelling.
- Words in parentheses on the Creole side are the pronunciations for the words preceding the parentheses.
- There may be alternate ways of saying the same thing. Certain phrases have the alternate indicated by (1) and (2).
General Conversation:
|
English |
Creole |
|
Hello |
Alo |
|
What is your name? |
Kommo relay? |
|
My name is … |
Mwe relay … |
|
How old are you? |
Kommo laj ou? |
|
How old is your baby? |
Kommo laj bebey ou? |
|
Where do you live? |
Ki kotey ou abitey |
|
I live in the United States of America. |
Mwe abitey Etazini |
|
How long have you been or lived here? |
Kommo tan ou abitey la? |
|
Do you go to school? |
Ou alley lekol? |
|
I am in school now. |
Mwe alley lekol kounyey. |
|
Can you read? |
Ou konnay pou fey lekti? |
|
Can you write? |
Ou konnay ekri? |
|
It is very hot today. |
Li trey cho (show) jodi a. |
|
I saw a rainbow while coming here. |
Mwe te we ou akansyel le mwe tap vini la |
|
Do you need warm clothes here? |
Ou bezwen rad cho (show) la? |
|
Is it normally hot here? |
Li toujou cho (show) la? |
|
We have hot summers and cold winters. |
Nou genyen etey cho et saison livey fret |
|
Here, take this coloring book |
Pran liv pou fey desen oubyen fey kolore |
|
This is for you. |
Sa pou ou. |
|
How are you? |
Kijan wye? |
|
That is a pretty dress/clothes. |
Sa on bel robe/rad |
|
Yes |
Wi |
|
No |
Non |
|
Morning |
Maten |
|
Afternoon |
Apremidi |
|
Night |
Nwit |
|
One |
En |
|
Two |
De |
|
Three |
Twa |
|
Four |
Kat |
|
Five |
Sank |
|
Six |
Sis |
|
Seven |
Set |
|
Eight |
Uit |
|
Nine |
Nef |
|
Ten |
Dis |
|
Monday |
Lendi |
|
Tuesday |
Madi |
|
Wednesday |
Mekredi |
|
Thursday |
Jedi |
|
Friday |
Vandredi |
|
Saturday |
Samdi |
|
Sunday |
Dimanch |
|
baby bottle |
Bibwon |
|
Bad luck |
malchans |
|
Barefoot |
Sans soulyey |
|
Do you walk barefoot during the day? |
Escur ou machey san soulyey? |
|
Breakfast |
Mangey maten |
|
Burial |
Anteman |
|
Calm down please |
Kalmey silvouple |
|
Cast a spell on (vb) |
Metey bouchey sou |
|
Damp |
Mouyey, imid |
|
Daylight (hours) |
Gwo lajounen |
|
Good: |
Byen |
|
Female |
Tifi |
|
Male |
Ti gason |
|
How far away? |
Ki distans? |
|
Hunger |
grangou |
|
Insect |
Ensek |
|
Music |
Mizik |
|
Why? |
Poukisa? |
|
Where? |
Kikotey |
|
Dirty |
Sal |
|
Egg |
Zey |
|
Knock down |
Fesey atey |
|
Milk |
Let |
|
Rain |
N lapli |
|
Arrived |
Rivey |
|
Spring |
Pretan |
|
Summer |
Etey |
|
Autumn |
Loton |
|
Winter |
Livey |
|
Mother |
Maman |
|
Father |
Papa |
|
I don’t know |
Mwe fey pa konnen. |
|
Month |
Mwa |
|
Week |
seymen |
|
Today |
jodi |
Worming:
|
English |
Creole |
|
Please form a straight line |
Fey on liy dwat silvouple |
|
Please remove your shoes and stand on the scale |
Retir(y)ey soulye ou et kanpay sou balans sa silvouple |
|
Have you previously taken this worming medication? |
Ou pran medikaman pou vey anvan? |
|
When was the last time you took this medication? |
Ki denyey ley out e pran? |
|
How old are you? |
Kijan wye? Ki laja a ou? |
|
How tall are you? |
Ki wotey ou? |
|
Please come here. |
Vini la silvouple |
|
Please drink this medication. |
Bwe medikaman sa silvouple |
|
This is for you. |
Sa pou ou. |
|
Do you remember? |
Escur ou sonjey? |
|
Worming medicine |
Remed vey |
Primary care:
|
English |
Creole |
|
How are you feeling? |
Kijan wye? |
|
What is the problem? |
Ki pwoblem ou? |
|
Where does it hurt? |
Ki kotey ou fey mal? |
|
Please lie down |
Kouchey silvouple |
|
Are you have any discharge? |
Ou genyen dechaj? |
|
Does the discharge have any odor? |
Dechaj sa li genyen odey? |
|
Does the discharge have any smell? |
Dechaj sa li santi? |
|
Does the discharge have any color? |
Dechaj sa li genyen kolore? |
|
Did you see any blood? |
Escur ou tey wey san? |
|
Was the discharge thick or thin? |
Dechaj li pews oubyen li fen? |
|
Was it a stabbing pain? |
Escur li ti pike you ampil oubyen pa pike ou telma? |
|
Was it a dull, aching pain? |
Li ki pa filey? |
|
Use the sap from the aloe vera plant |
Itilizey plant lalwa likid. |
|
Take one tablet in the morning, one @ night |
Pran en grenn nan maten ey en grenn lanwit |
|
Are you coughing? |
Nap tousey? |
|
Do have you a cold? |
Escur ou genyen grip? |
|
Do you feel hot? |
Escur ou cho (show)? |
|
Please walk for me. |
Machey pou mwen silvouple |
|
Clear |
Kley |
|
Brown |
Mawon |
|
Yellow |
Jon |
|
Green |
Vey |
|
Red |
Wouj |
|
Black |
Nwa |
|
Did you see any blood in the private parts? |
Escur ou tey wey san na pa ti privey ou? |
|
Take 2 tablets 3 times a day for 7 days. |
Pran de grenn pou twa fwa pou set jou |
|
Take 2 tablets 3 times a day for 10 days. |
Pran de grenn pou twa fwa pou dis jou |
|
Please take a deep breath. |
Pran fon souf silvouple |
|
What is the problem with your baby? |
Ki pwoblem bebey ou? |
|
Do you get the chills? |
Escur ou genyen lafyex ak frison |
|
Do you have a fever? |
Ou genyen lafyev? |
|
Please squeeze my finger. |
Pezey swet mwen silvouple |
|
Please squeeze my hand. |
Pezey man mwen silvouple |
|
Can you feel this? |
Escur ou santi sa? |
|
Please cough for me. |
Tousey pou mwen silvouple |
|
A lot or a little? |
Ampil oubyen piti? |
|
Are you having regular bowel movements? |
Escur ou fey poupou regilyeman? |
|
Does it burn when you urinate? |
Escur li bouley kan ou fey pipi? |
|
How many times a day do you urinate? |
Koman fwa ou fey pipi on jou? |
|
Drink more fluids like water. |
Bwe ampil likid kon dlo (glo) |
|
Take these vitamins, one a day |
Pran vitamin sa en fwa pou jou. |
|
They will make you feel better. |
Sa nap fey ou santi pi bon. |
|
Are you pregnant? |
Escur ou ansent? |
|
Do you know if you are pregnant? |
Escur ou konnen ou ansent? |
|
Are you having a baby? |
Escur ou genyen bebey? |
|
Do you think you are pregnant now? |
Escur ou pansey ou ansent kounyey? |
|
Please open your mouth |
Ouvri bouchey ou silvouple. |
|
Please show me your tongue. |
Montrey lan ou silvouple. |
|
Can you touch your toes? |
Escur ou kapab touchey pye ou? |
|
Please look straight ahead. |
Gadey dwat silvouple. |
|
Wash your hair with this liquid. |
Lavey chevey ou avec likid sa. |
|
Be careful not to get the liquid in your eyes. |
Fetatansyon pou pa pemet likid sa je ou. |
|
Put this on your skin every night before you go to sleep. |
Metey sa soup o ou chak nwit avan ou domi. |
|
Please open your eyes wide. |
Ouvri je ou byen gran silvouple. |
|
Are you taking any medicines? |
Nap pran medikaman? |
|
Please list these for me. |
Sitey sa you medikaman pou mwen silvouple. |
|
Cough medicine |
Siwo tous |
|
Cough phlegm |
Tous ki machey ak flem |
|
Cough syrup |
Siwo grip |
|
(have a) cold |
Grip |
|
Coughing up blood |
Tous san |
|
Eye drops |
Gout pou je |
|
Every 4 hours |
Chak 4 ey |
|
Every other day |
Chak de jou |
|
Abdominal cramps |
kolik |
|
Do you have abdominal pain? |
Escur vant ou fe mal? |
|
Do you drink alcohol? |
(1)Escur ou bwey bwason ki genyen alkol? |
|
Allergy |
Aleji |
|
Iron pills |
Vitamin ki gen fey |
|
Back ache |
Do fey mal |
|
Bedridden |
Malad kouchey |
|
Blood pressure |
Presyon san |
|
Bloody diarrhea |
Kolerin |
|
Blow one’s nose |
Mouchey nen |
|
Blurred vision |
Je twoub |
|
Broken bone |
Zo kasey |
|
Chest cold |
Rim pwatrin |
|
Child birth |
Akouchman |
|
Choking |
sifokasyon |
|
Digestion trouble: |
Pwoblem dijesyon |
|
Dissolve |
Deleyey |
|
Evil spell |
Maldjok |
|
Exhale |
ekspirey |
|
Exhausted(tired) |
Boukey fatigey |
|
Hand washing |
Lavey man |
|
Heart pounding or racing |
Batman key ki fo |
|
Insomnia |
Pa ka domi |
|
Lice |
Pou |
|
Lower back pain |
Douley nan do sou anba |
|
Crush |
Krazey |
|
Mixture |
Melanj |
|
Nausea |
Nozay |
|
Particles of dust |
Grenn pousyey |
|
Vomit |
Vomi |
|
Diarrhea |
Dyarey |
|
Runny nose |
Nen larim |
|
Have sexual relations. How many times a …? |
Fey seks. Koman fwa …? |
|
Sweat |
(1) swey (2) transpirasyon |
|
Re-use |
Re-itilzey |
|
Tuberculosis |
Tebekiloz |
|
Undress |
dezabiyey |
|
To Walk (vb) |
Machey |
|
Walking |
Machapye |
|
Hair |
Chevey |
|
Throat |
goj |
|
Vagina |
koko |
|
Penis |
Ka fason, ti ki |
- There may be alternate ways of saying the same thing. Certain phrases have the alternate indicated by (1) and (2).
Spanish Pronunciation Guide:
- When “y” is at the beginning or in the middle of a word it is pronounced with a “j” sound. Examples: “Yo” (means I, as in I am) or “coyontura” which means “joint” (bone joint).
- When “ll” is in a word then it is pronounced with a “j” sound. Example: “Lluvia,” which means “rain.”
- When “j” is at the beginning or in the middle of a word it is pronounced with a “h” sound. For example, the word “jamas” which means “never” is pronounced like the Arabic “hamas.”
- When “h” is in a word it is silent. For example, the word “hamaca” which means “hammock” ignores the “h” sound – it is pronounced “amaca”.
- To say “and” use a “y” on its own and it is pronounced as a long “ee” sound
- When a “z” is present in a word it is pronounced with a “s” sound.
General Conversation:
|
English |
Spanish |
|
Hello |
hola |
|
What is your name? |
(1) Cuál es tu nombre. (2) Cómo te llamas? |
|
My name is … |
Mi nombre es |
|
How old are you? |
(1) Qué edad tu tienes? (2) Cuántos años tienes? |
|
How old is your baby? |
(1) Que edad tiene su bebé? (2) Cuántos años tiene su bebe? |
|
Where do you live? |
Dónde tú vives? |
|
I live in North America. |
Yo vivo en Norte America (Estados Unidos) |
|
How long have you been or lived here? |
Cuánto tiempo hace que vives aquí? |
|
Do you go to school? |
Vas a la escuela? |
|
I am in school now. |
Yo estoy en la escuela ahora |
|
Can you read? or Do you know how to read? |
(1) Puedes leer? (2) Sabes leer? |
|
Can you write? or Do you know how to write? |
(1) Puedes escribir? (2) Sabes escribir? |
|
It is very hot today. |
Esta muy caliente hoy. |
|
I saw a rainbow while coming here. |
Yo vί un arcoiris cuando venίa para acá. |
|
Do you need warm clothes here? |
Necesitas ropa para abrigarte? |
|
Is it normally hot here? |
Esta siempre caliente aqui? |
|
We have hot summers and cold winters. |
Nosotros tenemos veranos calientes e inviernos frίos. |
|
Here, take this coloring book |
Tome este libro para colorear. |
|
This is for you. |
Esto es para ti. |
|
How are you? |
Como estás? (informal) Como está usted? (formal, adult) |
|
That is a pretty dress/clothes. |
Ese vestido es bonito./Esa ropa es bonita. |
|
Yes |
Si |
|
No |
No |
|
Morning |
Mañana |
|
Afternoon |
La tarde |
|
Night |
Noches |
|
One |
Uno |
|
Two |
Dos |
|
Three |
Tres |
|
Four |
cuatro |
|
Five |
cinco |
|
Six |
Seis |
|
Seven |
siete |
|
Eight |
ocho |
|
Nine |
nueve |
|
Ten |
diez |
|
Monday |
lunes |
|
Tuesday |
martes |
|
Wednesday |
miércoles |
|
Thursday |
jueves |
|
Friday |
viernes |
|
Saturday |
sábado |
|
Sunday |
domingo |
|
baby bottle |
biberón |
|
Bad luck |
Mala suerte |
|
Barefoot |
Descalzo (male) descalza (female) |
|
Do you walk barefoot during the day? |
Camina usted descalzo durante el día? |
|
Breakfast |
desayuno |
|
Burial |
Entierro |
|
Calm down please |
Cálmese por favor |
|
Cast a spell on (vb) |
hacer un hechizo |
|
To do witchcraft |
hacer brujería |
|
Damp (drenched) |
Mojado |
|
Moist |
Húmedo |
|
Daylight (hours) |
(1) la luz del día (2) durante las horas del día |
|
Good |
Bueno |
|
Girl (adolescent) |
muchacha |
|
Boy (adolescent) |
muchacho |
|
Young boy (below 13 yrs) |
el niño |
|
Young girl (below 13 yrs) |
la niña |
|
Female |
Mujer |
|
Male |
Hombre |
|
How far away? |
Dónde queda ese lugar? |
|
Where is that place? |
Dónde está ese lugar? |
|
Hunger |
Hambre |
|
Insect |
Insecto |
|
Music |
Música |
|
Why? |
Por qué? |
|
Where? |
Dónde |
|
Dirty |
sucio (singular)/sucios (plural) |
|
Egg |
Huevo |
|
Knock down |
Tumbar |
|
Milk |
Leche |
|
Rain |
Lluvia |
|
Arrived |
Llegó |
|
Spring |
la primavera |
|
Summer |
el verano |
|
Autumn |
el otoño |
|
Winter |
el invierno |
|
Mother |
Madre |
|
Father |
Padre |
|
I don’t know |
Yo no sé |
|
Month |
Un mes |
|
Week |
Una semana |
|
Today |
hoy |
Worming:
|
English |
Spanish |
|
Please form a straight line |
Por favor, forme una línea recta |
|
Please remove your shoes and stand on the scale. |
Por favor, quítese los zapatos y párese en la pesa. |
|
Have you previously taken this worming medication? |
Ha tomado usted antes medicina para los parásitos? |
|
Have you ever taken this worming medication? |
Ha tomado alguna vez medicina para los parásitos? |
|
When was the last time you took this medication? |
Cuándo fué la última vez qué usted tomó esta medicina? |
|
How old are you? |
Qué edad tienes tú? Cuántos años tienes? |
|
How tall are you? |
Cuánto mides? |
|
Come here please. |
Por favor, venga aquí. |
|
Please drink this medication. |
Por favor, tómese esta medicina. |
|
Here, this is for you. |
(1) Tenga, esto es para usted. (2) Mire, esto es para usted |
|
Do you remember? |
Se acuerda usted? |
|
Worming medicine |
Medicina para los parásitos |
Primary care:
|
English |
Spanish |
|
How are you feeling? |
Cómo te sientes? (informal). Cómo se siente? (formal) |
|
What is the problem? |
Cuál es el problema? Dónde le duele? |
|
Where does it hurt? |
Dónde le duele? |
|
Please lie down |
Acuéstate, por favor |
|
Are you having any discharge? |
(1) Tiene alguna secreción? (2) Está echando líquido por alguna parte de su cuerpo? |
|
Does the discharge have any odor? |
(1) Tiene olor la secreción? (2) Tiene olor ese liquido? |
|
Does the discharge have any smell? |
Tiene olor la secreción? |
|
Does the discharge have any color? |
Tiene color la secreción? Tiene color el lίquido que está echando |
|
Where is the secretion (or liquid) coming from? |
Por cual parte de su cuerpo está echando el líquido? |
|
Was the discharge thick or thin? |
Es espesa o ligera la secreción de sus organos sexuales? |
|
Did you see any blood? |
Le salió sangre? |
|
What kind of pain? |
Que clase de dolor tiene? |
|
Did you see any blood in the private parts? |
Sangró usted de su órganos sexuales? |
|
Take one tablet in the morning, one @ night |
Tome una tableta en la mañana y una en la noche |
|
Take 2 tablets 3 times a day |
Tome 2 tabletas 3 veces al dia |
|
Are you coughing? |
Está tosiendo? |
|
Do have you a cold? |
Tiene catarro? |
|
Do you feel hot? Do you have a fever? |
Se siente caliente? Tiene fiebre? |
|
Please walk for me. |
(1) por favor, camine hacia adelante (2) de unos pasos al frente |
|
How are you feeling? |
Como te sientes? |
|
What is the problem? |
Cuál es el problema? |
|
Clear |
Color claro |
|
Brown |
color café, pardo, marrón |
|
Yellow |
amarillo |
|
Green |
verde |
|
Red |
rojo |
|
Black |
negro |
|
Use the sap from the aloe vera plant. |
Usa la savia de la planta aloe vera |
|
Take 2 tablets 3 times a day for 7 days. |
Tome 2 tabletas 3 veces al dίa por 7 días. |
|
Take 2 tablets 3 times a day for 10 days. |
Tome 2 tabletas 3 veces al dίa por 10 dίas |
|
Please take a breath. Breathe in Breathe out |
Respire por favor. Respire profundo para adentro Respire para afuera |
|
What is wrong with your baby? |
Qué le pasa a su bebé? |
|
Do you get the chills? |
Le dan escalofríos? |
|
Do you have a fever? |
Tiene fiebre? |
|
Please squeeze my finger. |
Apriete mi dedo, por favor. |
|
Please squeeze my hand. |
Apriete mi mano, por favor. |
|
Can you feel this?/Can you feel my hand? |
Tiene sensación aqui?/Siente mi mano? |
|
Please cough for me. |
Tosa por favor |
|
Are you coughing? |
Ha estado tosiendo? |
|
A lot or a little? |
Mucho ó poco? |
|
Are you having regular bowel movements? |
Hace pupú a diario? |
|
Does it burn when you urinate? |
Siente ardor al hacer pipi? |
|
How many times a day do you urinate? |
Cuántas veces al día hace pipi? |
|
Drink more fluids like water. |
Por favor beba muchos liquidos, incluyendo mucha agua. |
|
Take these vitamins, one a day |
tome las vitaminas una vez al dia |
|
They will make you feel better. |
Esto lo hará sentirse mejor |
|
Are you pregnant? |
Está usted en estado/encinta? |
|
Do you know if you are pregnant? |
Sabe usted si está encinta? |
|
Are you having a baby? |
Va a tener un bebe? |
|
Do you think you are pregnant now? |
Esta usted en estado ahora? |
|
Please open your mouth |
Abra la boca, por favor |
|
Please show me your tongue. |
Déjeme ver su lengua por favor |
|
Can you touch your toes? |
Puede tocarse los dedos de los pies? |
|
Please look straight ahead. |
Por favor, mire hacia adelante. |
|
Wash your hair with this liquid. |
Por favor lávese el pelo con este líquido. |
|
Be careful not to get the liquid in your eyes. |
Tenga cuidado de que no le caiga el líquido en los ojos |
|
Put this on your skin every night before you go to sleep. |
Póngase este remedio en la piel todas las noches antes de acostarse. |
|
Please open your eyes wide. |
Por favor abra bien los ojos |
|
Are you taking any medicines? |
Está usted tomando alguna medicina? |
|
Please list these for me. |
Por favor, dígame cuales son las medicinas que usted toma. |
|
Cough medicine |
Medicina para la tos |
|
Cough phlegm |
Flema que le produce la tos |
|
Cough syrup |
Jarabe para la tos |
|
(have a) cold |
Tenie catarro o la gripe? |
|
Coughing up blood |
Tosiendo con sangre |
|
Eye drops |
Gotas para los ojos |
|
Every 4 hours |
Cada 4 horas |
|
Every other day |
Cada dos días |
|
Abdominal cramps |
Dolor abdominal |
|
Do you have abdominal pain? |
Tiene dolor abdominal? |
|
Do you drink alcohol? |
Bebe alcohol? |
|
Allergy |
Alergia |
|
Iron pills |
Pastillas que contienen hierro |
|
Back ache |
Dolor de espalda |
|
Bedridden |
Postrado en la cama |
|
Blood pressure |
La presión de la sangre |
|
Bloody diarrhea |
Sangre en la diarrea |
|
Blow one’s nose |
Sóplese la nariz |
|
Blurred vision |
Visión nublada |
|
Broken bone |
Hueso roto |
|
Chest cold |
Catarro en el pecho |
|
Child birth |
(1) Nacimiento del bebe; (2) dar a luz |
|
Choking |
Ahogándose |
|
Digestion trouble |
Problemas con la digestión |
|
Dissolve |
Disolver |
|
Evil spell |
hechizo |
|
Exhale |
Respire para afuera |
|
Exhausted (tired) |
Exhausto (cansado) |
|
Hand washing |
Lavar las manos |
|
Heart pounding or racing |
(1) Latidos rápidos del corazón (2)Palpitación fuerte del corazón |
|
Insomnia |
(1) Insomnia (2) No puede dormir |
|
Lice |
Piojos |
|
Lower back pain |
Dolores en la parte baja de la espalda |
|
Crush |
Machacar |
|
Mixture |
Mezcla |
|
Nausea |
Nausea |
|
Particles of dust |
Granos de polvo |
|
Vomit |
Vómito |
|
Diarrhea |
Diarréa |
|
Runny nose |
Nariz mocosa |
|
Have sex. How many times a …? |
tener sexo, Quantos veces al … |
|
Sweat |
Sudor |
|
Re-use |
Usar otra vez |
|
Tuberculosis |
Tuberculosis |
|
Undress |
(1) Quítese la ropa, por favor, (2) Desvístase por favor |
|
Please walk |
Camine, por favor |
|
Walking |
Caminando |
|
Hair |
el pelo |
|
Throat |
la garganta |
|
Vagina |
Vagina |
|
Penis |
Pene |
|
Do you understand? |
Me entiende? Me comprende? |
References
Creole translations
1. Daphne Duvalsaint. MPH/MD student. Health Policy Track. Piscataway, NJ
2. http://www.geocities.com/frenchcreoles/kreyol/krldict.txt
3. Haitain Creole Dictionary. http://www.kreyol.com/dictionary.html
4. Vilsaint, Fequiere and Berret, Jean-Evens. English Haitian Creole Dictionary. 2nd ed. 2005, Educa Vision Inc. Coconut Creek, FL.
Spanish translations
1. Hegla Morell. Administrative Assistant. Hoffmann La-Roche. Nutley, NJ (native Spanish speaker)
2. Carmen Diaz-Rodriquez. Administrative Assistant. Hoffmann La-Roche. Nutley, NJ (second generation Spanish speaker)
3. Madrigal, Margarita. See it & Say it in Spanish. 1961, Signet Books. New York, NY.
