Using the historical principles of the Oxford English Dictionary, Lise Winer presents the first scholarly dictionary of this unique language. The dictionary comprises over 12,200 entries, including over 4500 for flora and fauna alone, with numerous cross-references. Entries include definitions, alternative spellings, pronunciations, etymologies, grammatical information, and illustrative citations of usage. Winer draws from a wide range of sources - newspapers, literature, scientific reports, sound recordings of songs and interviews, spoken language - to provide a wealth and depth of language, clearly situated within a historical, cultural, and social context.

The small Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago have been treated as a single political entity for less than one hundred years. A union of two separate colonies started by Great Britain and Spain, each island has a substantially different ethnic makeup reflecting distinct lines of development. Tobago was first claimed by the English in the 16th century. Overwhelmingly African, its few European influences are almost exclusively English and Protestant. Economically, it has been a plantation colony for most of its recorded history, but in recent years has included tourism as part of its economic structure. In contrast, Trinidad is an outstanding example of a racial and cultural kaleidoscope, with a considerably diversified economic base made up of agricultural, extractive, manufacturing, tourist, and financial industries. Annexed by the British 200 years ago, this one time Spanish colony was strongly influenced by French creole culture and has become further diversified by immigrants from British India, China, Italy, Lebanon, and the West Indies. Compiled by Michael Anthony, renowned Trinidadian writer, the Historical Dictionary of Trinidad and Tobago brings together in one volume complete and easy-to-find information on this small but fascinating Caribbean country. Its concise dictionary entries describe the important people, places, events, and institutions of the nation as well as its society, culture, and economy. The comprehensive bibliography provides scholars with an important resource for further information on the islands. Includes maps and a chronology.

This remarkable new dictionary represents the first attempt in some four centuries to record the state of development of English as used across the entire Caribbean region.

This volume describes the English and English Creole of Trinidad and Tobago. Sources from the early 19th through late 20th centuries are gathered from a wide range of materials: novels, editorials, advertisements, cartoons, proverbs, newspaper articles, plays, lyrics of traditional songs and calypsos, and oral interviews. Many of the older texts are now made easily accessible for the first time. The introduction includes descriptions of the historical background, the sound system, grammar and vocabulary, speech styles, social and linguistic interaction of Creole and English, and implications for education and spelling. The older sources demonstrate much closer links to other Caribbean English Creoles than previously recognized. The texts and recordings of oral interviews are invaluable resources for researchers and teachers in linguistics, Creole Studies, Caribbean studies, literature, anthropology and history.

As separate entities and later a unified state, the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago boast very unique histories. Initially claimed by the Spanish in 1498, these territories were affected by the imperialist thrusts of various European nations including the French, British and Dutch. The mercantilist infiltrations of these groups, particularly in the 18th century, led to the islands’ belated development as sugar producers and, particularly Trinidad, as a cradle of migration. World War II and the development of the oil and tourism industries in the 20th century transformed the economies, culture and society of these islands. The country has been one of the most important in the region in relation to economic and political leadership and as a centre of cultural development. Historical Dictionary of Trinidad and Tobago contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Trinidad and Tobago.