This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and

Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

CHAPIT TWA
Bon tan! Move tan!
In this chapter, you will learn language materials and develop skills to talk
about clothing, the weather, natural disasters and to discuss ecological issues.

You will learn how to:

• describe clothing items
• talk about activities related to clothing
• discuss the weather and the seasons
• discuss natural disasters
• discuss ecological issues
• use the indefinite and definite articles
• use the demonstrative
• identify and pronounce certain consonant sounds

You will use:

• terms related to clothing
• terms related to ecology and the environment
• the adjectives of color
• the indefinite article yon
• the definite article forms a, an, la, lan and nan
• the demonstrative forms sa a and sa yo, sila, sila yo
• the consonants /g/, /j/, /k/, /m/ and /n/
• some common verbs.

Leson 1: Ann al achte rad!

Leson 2: Gwo van ti lapli!

Leson 3: Katastwòf natirèl

Leson 4: Ann sispann koupe pyebwa!

Dosye sosyoekolojik: Ecological issues in Haiti

1
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Leson 1 : Ann al achte rad!

- Language aim: Describing clothing
- Vocabulary: Ekpresyon ak mo pou dekri rad, soulye ak koulè yo
- Grammar and structures: The adjectives of color and the indefinite article
- Pronunciation and spelling: The consonant /g/
- Listening: De magazen kote yo vann rad ak soulye

I. Kouman n ap abiye?

Wozlò pral marye byento ak Filip. Moun yo pral fèl bèl maryaj. Lafanmi Petitòm ale
nan magazen Petyonvil pou achte rad ak soulye pou maryaj la epi yo tou pwofite
achte lòt rad.

Yo nan magazen kote yo vann rad fi sèlman

Yo nan magazen kote yo vann rad gason sèlman

2
This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Ki koulè sa yo ye?

nwa ble gri jon abriko mov jon

blan mawon vèt woz wouj vyolèt

Use these expressions to talk about clothing

abiye to get dressed lave rad to wash clothes

boutonnen to button mare to tie
boukle to buckle mete rad to put clothes on
deboukle to unbuckle (re)pase rad to iron clothes
deboutonnen to unbutton prese rad to press clothes
demare to unfasten retire rad to take clothes off
detache to untie seche rad to dry clothes
dezipe to unzip siye soulye to wipe, clean shoe
eseye rad to try on clothes tache to fasten
fè lesiv do laundry tann rad to hang out clothes
fwote rad to rub cloth tòde rad to wring
koud rad to sew wete rad to take clothes off
koud alamachin to sew with a machine zipe to zip up

Use these expressions to talk about laundry and sewing

batwèl paddle panye rad sal laundry basket

digo indigo bleach planchèt ironing board
fab detergent rad pwòp clean clothes
fè a repase iron rad sal dirty clothes
kivèt basin savon lesiv laundry detergent
klorox bleach savon likid liquid detergent
liy cloth line sèso cloth hanger
machin a lave washing machine sizo scissors
machin a seche dryer tach stains
machin a koud sewing machine zegwi ak fil neddle and thread

3
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

CD 1‐ 59 – DJALÒG
• Lafanmi Petitòm is shopping in a clothing store.

Sale rep. : - Bonjou mesye dam. M kab ede nou?

Chal: - Bonjou! N ap chache rad ak soulye pou yon maryaj.
Ou kab fè m wè sa w genyen?
Sale rep. : - Pa gen pwoblèm. N ap jwenn tout sa nou bezwen.
- M bezwen yon bèl wòb krèm ak yon sandal blan.
Mari: - Ou mèt ale nan seksyon fi a, w ap jwenn yo.
Sale rep. : - Mwen menm. M bezwen yon kostim mawon.
Andre: - Èske ou bezwen kravat tou?
Sale rep. : - Men wi! Se yon kostim konplè m bezwen.
Andre: - M konprann. Ou mèt swiv mwen. M pral ba ou
Sale rep. : tout sa w bezwen.

ANNOU TCHEKE SI NOU KONPRANN DJALÒG LA

! Answer the following questions in Kreyòl according to the dialogue.

1. Poukisa lafanmi Petitòm al achte rad ak soulye?

2. Ki kalite rad Mari ap chache?
3. Ki koulè wòb Mari bezwen?
4. Ki rad epi ki koulè rad Andre vle achte?
5. Èske Andre vle abiye ak kravat?
6. Èske vandè a gen tout sa Andre ak Mari bezwen ?

Enfòmasyon kiltirèl: Anjelik O! Anjelik O! Chita kay manman w.

Ti fi ki pa konn lave pase chita kay manman w. This is the
beginning of a famous Kreyòl folk song. The literal translation of
this passage is: Anjelik! Anjelik! stay at your mother’s house.
Women, who do not know how to do laundry and ironing, stay at
your mother’s house. “Stay at your mother’s house” is a way to
tell unskillful women: “do not get married”. In the 21st century,
many Haitians still believe that the role of the women is to take
care of the home. A good wife is one who considers that
housekeeping and care of the children are her duties. Most men usually go out to
work in paid employment or go out farming while the women stay home to do the
laundry, the cooking, the cleaning and to take care of the children. However, with a
growing group of well educated young professional Haitian women, the influence of
television and the changing economic situation of Haiti, more and more women are
taking on paid employment, while husbands share the chores.

4
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 1‐ 60 – Koute byen. Rad fi oswa rad gason? You will hear 10

statements about clothing. Listen to each statement, and then indicate whether it
is vrè or fo.

Vrè Fo Vrè Fo
1. ! - ! 6. ! - !
2. ! - ! 7. ! - !
3. ! - ! 8. ! - !
4. ! - ! 9. ! - !
5. ! - ! 10. ! - !

B. Ki koulè bagay sa yo ye? Match column one to column two as in the example.

Example: ‐ Ki koulè zoranj? → Answer: Li gen koulè jon abriko.

1. Ki koulè zoranj? a) Li gen koulè vèt.

2. Ki koulè sitwon (lime)? b) Li gen koulè wouj.
3. Ki koulè sòs tomat? c) Li gen koulè jon.
4. Ki koulè chokola? d) Li gen koulè blan.
5. Ki koulè fig mi (ripe banana)? e) Li gen koulè ble.
6. Ki koulè lèt (milk)? f) Li gen koulè nwa.
7. Ki koulè syèl la (the sky)? g) Li gen koulè nwa oswa mawon.
8. Ki koulè kafe? h) Li gen koulè jon abriko.

C. Ki rad sa ye? Match column one to column two as in the example provide below.

Example: ‐ Gason mete sa anba chemiz yo. → Answer: Se yon chemizèt.

1. Fi mete sa anba jip oswa pantalon yo. a) Se soulye.

2. Ou mete sa nan pye anvan ou met soulye. b) Se yon vès.
3. Fi ak gason mete sa sou tèt yo. c) Se yon kòsaj.
4. Gason mete sa sou chemiz yo. d) Se yon sentiwon.
5. Fi mete sa ak jip. e) Se chòt de beny.
6. Gason mete sa pou abiye bwòdè. f) Se chapo oswa kepi.
7. Fi ak gason boukle sa nan senti yo. g) Se yon kostim.
8. Gason mete sa nan pòch yo. h) Se chosèt.
9. Fi ak gason mete sa nan pye. i) Se yon kilòt oswa
10. Gason mete sa pou benyen sou plaj. pantalèt.
j) Se yon bous.

5
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

D. Ki etidyan ki mete rad sa yo? Look at your classmates and say who is wearing
the following clothes today. Provide the name of a classmate as in the example.

Example: Se Andre ki mete pantalon twal, chemiz ak soulye.

1. Pantalon twal, chemiz ak soulye

2. Yon djin ble ak yon mayo nwa
3. Chosèt ak tenis blan
4. Bout pantalon, mayo, ak tenis
5. Jip nwa ak kòsaj jon
6. Sandal mawon
7. Pantalon gri ak kòsaj nwa
8. Soulye nwa

E. Ki jan pou nou abiye? What do you normally wear for each of the following
situations? Answer with a complete sentence as in the example.

Example: Pou ale nan sinema.

Answer: Pou ale nan sinema, mwen mete yon djin, yon mayo ak sandal oswa tenis.

1. Pou ale benyen nan lanmè (beach). 6. Pou ale nan inivèsite a.
2. Pou ale fè espò tankou jwe baskètbòl. 7. Pou ale nan travay.
3. Pou ale nan restoran ak zanmi ou 8. Pou ale naje nan pisin.
4. Pou ale gade yon pyès teyat. 9. Pou ale dòmi nan chanm ou.
5. Pou ale fè eski nan nèj (snow). 10. Pou ale nan yon maryaj.

F. Ki rad etidyan yo mete jodi a? Look at your classmates and say what they are
wearing today. Provide the name of a classmate, one piece of cloth she/he is
wearing and the color of that piece. Follow the example.

NON RAD KOULÈ

1. Mary mete yon wòb wouj.
2. ____________ mete ____________ ____________
3. ____________ mete ____________ ____________
4. ____________ mete ____________ ____________
5. ____________ mete ____________ ___________
6. ____________ mete ____________ ____________

6
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

G. E ou menm? Answer the following questions in Krèyòl.

1. Èske ou renmen ale achte epi mete bèl rad? Poukisa?
2. Èske ou renmen lave ak pase rad sa yo? Poukisa?
3. Kijan ou pito fè lesiv: ala men oswa ala machin?
4. Ki koulè prefere w? Poukisa?
5. Ki kalite rad ou pi renmen mete? Poukisa?

II. The adjectives of color and the indefinite article

The adjectives of color ‐ Adjectives of color follow the noun they describe.

1. Granmoun nan gen cheve gri. ‐ The old person has grey hair.
2. Fanm blanch lan rich. ‐ The white woman is rich.
3. Fi nwa sa a bèl anpil. ‐ This black woman is very pretty.

The article ‐ An article is a word that usually accompanies a noun. Like English,
Kreyòl uses definite or indefinite articles (“a” or “the”) whether the noun is
definite or not.

1. Andre chwazi yon kostim mawon. ‐ Andre has chosen a brown suit.
2. Kostim nan pa blan. ‐ The suit is not white.
3. Fi a achete yon pòm. ‐ The woman bought an apple.

The indefinite article ‐ The indefinite article is yon in Kreyòl and it always
precedes the noun it accompanies. Yon corresponds to the English a/an. The
indefinite article yon indicates that the noun is not particular or identifiable by
the listener. Note that the y sound of yon is often dropped in oral speech.

1. Wozlò achte yon bèl wòb blan. ‐ Wozlò bought a beautiful white dress.
2. Andre pran yon kravat nwa. ‐ Andre got a black tie.
3. Se yon chemiz blan pou ou mete. ‐ You must wear a white shirt.
4. S on chemiz blan pou ou mete. ‐ You must wear a white shirt.

The plural form of the articles – The indefinite article is generrally omitted if
the noun is plural. The absence of an article specifically indicates that the plural
noun is indefinite. Only nouns whose singular form is accompanied by the
definite article can be made plural. The plural marker is yo and it is placed after
the noun.

1. Li achte yon kravat./li achte Ø ‐ He bought a tie./ He bought Ø ties.

kravat. ‐ This is a shirt./ these are Ø shirts.
2. Se yon chemiz./ Se Ø chemiz. ‐ I wear the panty./I wear the
3. M mete kilòt la./M mete kilòt yo. panties.
4. Lave mayo a./lave mayo yo. ‐ Wash the T‐shirt./Wash the T‐shirts.

7
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 1‐ 61 – Koute byen. You will hear 10 statements about clothing.

Listen to each statement, and then indicate whether you hear “definite” or
“indefinite” nouns.

definite indefinite definite indefinite

1. ! - ! 6. ! - !
2. ! - ! 7. ! - !
3. ! - ! 8. ! - !
4. ! - ! 9. ! - !
5. ! - ! 10. ! - !

B. Identify the following clothing items using an indefinite article like in the
example.

Example: Se yon chemiz.

8
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

C. Change the underlined nouns in the following sentences to the plural form.

1. Madanm nan eseye yon pantalèt. 6. Li achte yon kostim.

2. Andre mete soulye a. 7. Chal eseye sentiwon an.
3. Ti gason an eseye slip la. 8. Chal mete bous la nan pòch li.
4. Wozlò achte yon wòb. 9. Mimoz ap lave jip la.
5. Se yon kilòt. 10. Se yon kivèt.

D. Konbyen ou genyen? Answer to the following questions about your belongings.

1. Konbyen kay fanmi ou genyen? 5. Konbyen machin papa ou genyen ?

2. Konbyen twalèt ki gen nan kay la? 6. Konbyen sentiwon ou genyen?
3. Konbyen plaka ou genyen nan chanm ou? 7. Konbyen kostim ou genyen?
4. Konbyen machin ou genyen ? 8. Konbyen pè soulye ou genyen?

III. The consonant /g/

The consonant G is one of the consonant sounds that have a distinctive phonetic
behavior. Remember that one of the four fundamental rules of the Kreyòl
language is: a sign always sounds the same way in all contexts. Therefore, the
consonant G is always pronounced like the G in gas, guitar, jungle or bag. Note
that the consonant G is never pronounced like in the English words gentle or
generous.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 1‐ 62 – Listen and repeat the following words with the consonant

sound G.

G, g : gade, gagòt, garanti, ge, gen, gid, gita, glas, glise, global, gout, gòj, gwòg,
granmoun, grave, grenn, griye, dwòg, bag, blag, blage, magazen.

B. CD 1‐ 63 – Yon ti dikte. Listen carefully and write down the missing

words.

Example: You hear → Ban m yon ti ___________ non monchè.

You write → Ban m yon ti gwòg non monchè.

1. Yo vann _________nan _________ sa a. 6. Lari a _________ anpil.

2. _________nan ap _________televizyon. 7. ________ la pa kab desann nan ________ li.
3. _________ sa yo renmen bay _________. 8. Èske yo ba w _________ sou _________ la?
4. _________la fè dlo a _________. 9. ________ kouman l ap _______ vyann nan.
5. Yo te _________ non m sou _________ sa a. 10. Ti ______ an ge paske l ______ ven ______.

9
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

IV. Annou Koute

Preparing for listening

You will use what you have learned to understand the following recording
describing two clothing stores.

CD 1‐ 64 – De magazen kote yo vann rad ak soulye

A. Anvan ou koute. Imagine that someone in your family is getting married and
you are looking for a store to buy clothes for the wedding. Think of what you
want to buy.

B. Pandan w ap koute. Chal is describing two clothing stores that he visited. Listen
carefully to what he is saying about each store.

1. Check what one can find in each store as Chal describes them.

KADIS DÈLMA DE MIL

Yo vann chè anpil.
Bagay yo bon mache.
Se magazen boujwa.
Se magazen pèp.
Gen anpil soulye ak sandal.
Pa gen anpil soulye ak
sandal.
Yo vann bijou dyaman.
Yo vann bijou ki pa chè.
Yo gen bèl kostim.
Yo pa vann bijou dyaman.

2. Listen again to make sure that you checked all details that Chal
mentioned.

C. Lè ou fin koute. Discuss the following questions in Kreyòl with your classmates.

1. Dapre deskripsyon Chal fè sou de magazen yo, èske fòk li ta ale nan
premye a oswa dezyèm nan? Poukisa?
2. E ou menm? Ki magazen ou ta chwazi? Poukisa?

10
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Leson 2 : Gwo van, ti lapli!

- Language aim: Describing the weather and the seasons
- Vocabulary: Ekpresyon ak mo pou dekri tan ak sezon yo
- Grammar and structures: The singular definite article (singular and plural)
- Pronunciation and spelling: The consonant /j/
- Writing: Yon lèt oswa imel pou dekri tan ak sezon

I. Kijan tan an ye?

Kat sezon ki gen ane a

prentan spring
ete/lete autumn/fall
otòn/lotòn summer
ivè/livè winter

11
This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Use these expressions to talk about the weather

bon tan good weather meteyowoloji meteorology

bwouya fog nyaj clouds
chalè heat, warmth move tan bad weather
degre santigrad degree Celsius parapli umbrella
fredi cold sezon season
glas ice, frost sezon lapli rainy season
glas mirror sezon sèk dry season
lanèj snow solèy sun
lanmè sea syèl sky
lapli rain tanperati temperature
lavalas torrential rain tèmomèt thermometer
loray gronde loud thunder zeklè lightning

Use these expressions to discuss weather and clothing

‐ Nou mete rad lejè oswa rad dekòlte tankou ‐ Light clothes; open‐necked
mayo, chòt ak bout kanson lè li fè cho anpil. cloth; short pants
‐ Li fè fre nan mwa desanm ak janvye. Moun ‐ Sweater;
Kenskòf yo mete chanday.
‐ Nan peyi Etazini oswa Kanada, moun yo mete gwo
manto nan sezon ivè.
‐ Nan sezon lapli, nou mete padesi oswa nou louvri
yon parapli sou tèt nou. ‐ Straw hat.
‐ Lè solèy la klere anpil, nou kab mete chapo pay.

12
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

CD 1‐ 65 – DJALÒG

• Wozlò and Filip, her future husband, are talking about where to go for
their honeymoon depending on the weather. Listen to their conversation.

Wozlò: - Cheri. Ak move tan sa a, nou mèt bliye koze lindemyèl sou bato sa wi.
Filip: - Sanble sa wi! Lapli a pa janm rete epi loray ap gwonde byen fò.
Wozlò: - Ou pa t koute meteyo nan radyo pou tande si gen move tan?
Filip: - M pa t fè sa non. Men, jan tan an ye la, nou pa ka monte lanmè non.
Wozlò: - Se sa m ta di tou! Alò, kisa n ap fè pou lindemyèl nou?
Filip: - Olye nou pran bato, annou kondui pou n al Okay tande!
Wozlò: - M pa ta pran chans non ak lapli sa a! Wout la gendwa glise.
Filip: - Se vre wi! Epi gwo dlo ka desann vin bare wout la.
Wozlò: - Ou poko janm di m sa n ap fè non.
Filip: - Ebyen! N ap fè lindemyèl nou nan otèl Montana.
Wozlò: - Nou pa gen lechwa non! Ann reziyen nou.
Filip: - Ou pa bezwen tris tande Cheri! M ap mennen w nan yon kwazyè
Bayamas mwa pwochen.
Wozlò: - Kwazyè Bayamas? Ak ki lajan? A! Gwo van ti lapli!

ANNOU TCHEKE SI NOU KONPRANN DJALÒG LA

! Answer the following questions in Kreyòl according to the dialogue.

1. Èske Wozlò ak Filip ap pase lindemyèl yo sou bato? Poukisa?

2. Èske Filip te koute meteyo nan radyo?
3. Èske Wozlò ak Filip ap kondui ale nan vil Okay? Poukisa?
4. Ki kote Wozlò ak Filip ap pase lindemyèl yo alafen?
5. Èske Wozlò kwè Filip ap mennen l nan kwazyè Bayamas? Poukisa?

" Enfòmasyon kiltirèl: Gwo van, ti lapli! This sentence is a very popular saying
used in Haiti. It means “All talk and no action.” At the end of the dialogue, Filip
told Wozlò he would take her on a cruise to The Bahamas. But Wozlò knows he
cannot afford it. That is why she said “Gwo van, ti lapli!” Haitian men like to
impress women. They tend to make great promises that they cannot keep
because they do not have enough money.

13
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 1‐ 66 – Koute byen. Bilten meteyo. Listen to the weather forecast

and answer the following questions by ticking Vrè or Fo.
Vrè Fo
1. Se sezon ivè ! !
2. Sezon prentan an ap koumanse 21 mas. ! !
3. Li fè 28 degre santigrad jodi vandredi a. ! !
4. Pa gen van jodi vandredi a. ! !
5. P ap gen solèy nan peyi a nan samdi. ! !
6. L ap fè cho anpil nan samdi. ! !
7. Fòk nou itlize parapli ak padesi nou nan samdi. ! !
8. Lapli pral tonbe tout jounen an nan dimanch. ! !
9. Tanperati a ap varye ant 29 e 31 degre nan samdi. ! !
10. Tan ap agreyab anpil nan dimanch. ! !

B. Ki sezon oswa kijan tan an ye? Match column one to column two as in the
example.
Example: ‐ Li fè cho anpil. → Answer: Se sezon ete.

1. Lapli tonbe anpil; gen gwo dlo. a) Se sezon ivè.

2. Lapli pa janm tonbe; sous dlo yo sèch. b) Nou mete rad lèjè ak chapo pay.
3. Solèy la klere; li fè cho anpil. c) Gen move tan.
4. Loray ap gwonde; gen gwo van. d) Se sezon lapli.
5. Syèl la kouvri ak nyaj; lapli pral tonbe. e) Se inondasyon/lavalas.
6. Li fè frèt anpil; lanèj ap tonbe. f) Se sezon prentan.
7. Tout fèy pyebwa yo tonbe. g) Se sezon otòn.
8. Pyebwa yo rekoumanse fè fèy ak flè. h) Se sezon sèk.
9. Sous ak rivyè gen anpil dlo pou wouze jaden. i) Moun yo louvri yon parapli.
10. Lapli ap tonbe deyò a. j) Tan an mare.

C. Ki kalite rad nou mete nan sezon ak tan sa yo? What kind of clothes do you
normally wear in the following seasons and weather conditions?
Example: Se sezon ete; li fè cho. → Answer: M mete rad lejè tankou chòt ak
mayo.

1. Lapli ap tonbe anpil; 4. Li fè fre; tanperati a 20 degre.

2. Solèy la klere; li fè cho anpil. 5. Se sezon ivè, li fè frèt anpil.
3. Gen fredi; lanèj ap tonbe. 6. Gen chalè; solèy la cho.

14
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

D. E ou menm? Ask your partner the following questions.

1. Kijan tan an ye jodi a?

2. Èske li fè cho jodi a?
3. Kijan tan an ye nan peyi ou nan sezon otòn?
4. Kijan tan an ye nan peyi ou nan sezon ivè?
5. Èske ou renmen lè li fè cho oswa lè li fè frèt? Poukisa?
6. Èske ou kab fè eski nan peyi ou? Poukisa?
7. Ki sezon ou pi renmen? Poukisa?
8. Kisa ou renmen fè lè lapli ap tonbe?

II. The definite article

Review of the indefinite article – Remember that the indefinite article yon
corresponds to the English indefinite article a/an and it always precedes the
noun it accompanies. It is used to refer to a noun that has not been previously
identified or mentioned.

The definite article – The Kreyòl definite article has five different forms:
la/lan/ nan/ a/an/. All these forms roughly correspond to the English definite
article “the”. Like in English, the Kreyòl definite article is used to refer to a
previously mentioned noun. Consider these examples.

- Wozlò achte yon bèl wòb blan. Wozlò bought a beautiful white dress.
- Kote wòb la? Where is the dress.

The singular definite article “la” is used in the second sentence to indicate that
the noun “wòb” has been identified earlier and is known by the listener.

The place and the forms of the definite article – While the definite article
comes before the noun in English, it comes after the noun in Kreyòl. Since the
definite article occurs after the noun, it varies according to the last segment of
the noun or any word it follows.

1. “la” occurs after non nasal consonants. Se liv la. This is the book.
2. “lan” occurs after non nasal consonants Se mont lan This is the
preceded by a nasal vowel. watch.
3. “nan” occurs after non nasal Se machin nan.
consonants. Se tablo a. This is the car.
4. “a” occurs after oral vowels. Se sentiwon This is the
5. “an” occurs after nasal vowels. an. board.
This is the belt.

15
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

The plural form of the definite article – Remember that only nouns whose
singular form is accompanied by the definite article can be made plural. All five
singular forms of the Kreyòl definite article change to yo when referring to plural
nouns.

SINGULAR PLURAL ENGLISH

- Se liv la. Se liv yo. - These are the books.
- Se mont lan Se mont yo. - These are the watches.
- Se machin nan. Se machin yo. - These are the cars.
- Se tablo a. Se tablo yo. - These are the boards.
- Se sentiwon an. Se sentiwon yo. - These are the belts.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 1‐ 67– Koute byen. You will hear 10 statements about clothing.

Listen to each statement, and then indicate whether you hear “definite” or
“indefinite” nouns.

definite indefinite definite indefinite

1. ! ! 6. ! !
2. ! ! 7. ! !
3. ! ! 8. ! !
4. ! ! 9. ! !
5. ! ! 10. ! !

B. Sengilye oswa Pliryèl? Indicate whether the underlined nouns in the following
sentences are “singular” or “plural”.

1. L ap siye soulye yo. 8. Mari renmen jip li achte a.

2. Wòzlò achte rad. 9. Li deboutonen chemiz lan.
3. Gen anpil kostim nan magazen 10. Ou bezwen deboukle sentiwon an.
an. 11. Mont lan an pàn; li pa bay lè ankò.
4. Andre pa pran kravat yo. 12. Nan ki ri magazen rad la ye?
5. Ti gason an ap zipe pantalon l. 13. Yo pa vle wè rad sou kabann nan.
6. Anayiz ap tòde mayo a. 14. Se pou ou mete manto a paske l fè
7. Fi a ap koud rad yo. frèt.

16
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

C. Ki fonèm ki nan fen mo sa yo? Indicate the phonetic nature of the last sound
segment (s) of the following nouns. These segments are underlined. Then add the
correct form of the definite article to each of them.

Example 1: machin → Answer: The last segment is a nasal consonant: machin nan
Example 2: kaye → Answer: The last segment is an oral vowel: kaye a
Example 3: dans → Answer: The last segment a non nasal consonant preceded by
a nasal vowel: dans lan
Example 4: dan → Answer: The last segment is a nasal vowel: dan an
Example 5: kay → Answer: The last segment is a non nasal consonant: kay la

1. moun 13. inondasyon

2. plim 14. siklòn
3. ponp 15. van
4. sant 16. fredi
5. kay 17. bijou
6. glas 18. lanmè
7. règ 19. mayo
8. lendepandans 20. brouya
9. loray 21. lanèj
10. tònad 22. pen
11. chat 23. zòn
12. plant 24. fanm

C. Fill in the blank with the correct singular form of the definite article.

Example: Plim_______ nan valiz_______ ki sou biwo_______.

Answer : plim nan nan valiz la ki sou biwo a.

1. Plim ___________ se pou pwofesè ___________.

2. Chen _________ chita anba pyebwa _________.
3. Flè ___________ sou machin ____________.
4. Solèy _________ pi klere pase lalin _________.
5. Fanm gwo vant ___________ akouche jodi a.
6. Kabann ___________ twò gwo pou chanm ___________.
7. Van ___________ t ap vante maten ____________.
8. Chalè __________ oblije nou mete rad lejè.

17
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

D. Annou pote plis presizyon! Make the nouns more specific by answering the
following questions with the correct form of the definite article. Follow the
example.

Example: Se yon pantalon? → Answer: Wi, Se pantalon an.

1. Se yon soutyen? 6. Se chosèt?

2. Se yon kwizin? 7. Se yon bous?
3. Se yon machin a koud? 8. Se tenis?
4. Se rad? 9. Se yon bout kanson?
5. Se yon kilòt ? 10. Se yon sandal?

E. Kesyon / Repons – Ask questions with the two words provided. Ask a classmate
the questions. Your classmate must answer using the correct form of the singular
definite article according to the example.

Example: plim / kaye

Question: Kote plim nan? → Answer: Plim nan nan sou kaye a.

1. dra/ kabann 5. fè/planchèt

2. Liv / etajè 6. chodyè/recho
3. abajou / ti tab 7. bwòsdan/lavabo
4. òdinatè/biwo 8. chat/chèz

III. The consonant /j/

Remember that the consonant sound J is not pronounced like in the English
words june, job or july. It is always pronounced like the G as in genre or beige.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 1‐ 68 – Listen and repeat the following words with the consonant

sound J.

J, j: janm, janti, jipon, jip, jenn, plaj, pasaj, saj, sajès, raj, maj, manje, etranje,
gòj

18
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

B. CD 1‐ 69 – Listen and repeat the following pairs.

jan gan maji magi

jazon gazon lajè lagè
jen gen leje lege
ji Gi nèj nèg
Jid gid jante gante
Jòj gòj jou gou
jon gon jouda gouda

C. CD 1‐ 70 – Yon ti dikte. Listen carefully and write down the missing

words.

Example: You hear → ___________ a fè ___________ a bon.

You write → Magi a fè manje a bon.

1. _______ gouda a gen bon _______. 6. _______ a byen desann nan ________ ________.
2. ____ renmen bwè _____kowosòl. 7. Misye _______ men l pou l _______ kawotchou a.
3. _____ se yon nèg ki byen _______. 8. Ti _______ pa janm renmen _______.
4. ______ nèg sa a pa ka al nan ______. 9. Jou _________ fè jouda, l ap __________ avè m.
5. _______ ap taye ________ an. 10. Sajès pa _______ jipon anba _________ li.

IV. Annou ekri

Writing a letter or an e‐mail in Kreyòl
In this activity, you will use what you have learned in class to write a letter or an
email to a friend who lives in Haiti. In your letter/email, you will describe the
weather where you live and the seasons.

Writing tips
Like in English, there are different types of letters for different situations.
Depending on the purpose of your letter and who you are writing it to, you may
choose to write a formal or an informal letter. Here are some tips when writing
an informal letter.

! Informal letter openings

In informal letters, the word “Machè” for a female person or “Monchè” for a male
person (Wozlò Machè; Andre Monchè) are used in a similar way to the English

19
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

expression “Dear”. Note that the name of the person you’re writing to is generally
placed before “Machè” and “Monchè”.

! Informal letter closures

People generally end informal letters are with expressions such as Zanmi w; Zanmi
w Wozlò; Amikalman; Bizou; Abyento, N a pale, Kenbe fèm.

A. Anvan ou ekri. Think about informal letters you have read or written in
English. Imagine that you live in a cold country like the USA or Canada and you
have a friend who lives in Haiti. What are the differences between the weather
and the seasons in the two countries.

B. Ann ekri. Write an email or a letter to your friend in Haiti (minimum 15

sentences) in which you describe the weather and the seasons where you live.
Provide the following information:

# Name of the country, state, city where you live

# Weather conditions (snow, windy, icy, cold, hot etc…)
# Temperatures depending on the seasons and how it feels
# The kind of clothing you wear depend on the weather
# Activities you do or do not do because of the weather
# Ask your friend questions about the weather in Haiti

C. Lè ou fin ekri. Re‐read your letter/email. Is there something else you want to
add? Look closely at your letter/email to check possible spelling and grammar
mistakes. Make the necessary corrections according to the grading guide below.
You may begin your letter like this:

Jak monchè,
Kouman ou ye? E lafanmi? Depi lè m pati al Nouyòk la, m pa pran nouvèl ou
menm.

Total: /15 pts Excellent Very good Good Acceptable Unacceptable

Content: (quality and quantity) 5 4.5 4 ‐ 3.5 3 ‐ 2.5 2 ‐ 1.5 ‐ 1
Organization: (coherence and unity) 5 4.5 4 ‐ 3.5 3 ‐ 2.5 2 ‐ 1.5 ‐ 1
Mechanics (grammar and 5 4.5 4 ‐ 3.5 3 ‐ 2.5 2 ‐ 1.5 ‐ 1
punctuation)

20
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Leson 3 : Katastwòf natirèl

- Language aim: Discussing natural disasters

- Vocabulary: Ekpresyon ak mo pale de katastwòf natirèl
- Grammar and structures: The Nouns: gender and number
- Pronunciation and spelling: The consonant /k/
- Reading: Katastwòf natirèl ann Ayiti

I. Kèk katastwòf natirèl ak pwoblèm atmosferik

21
This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Use these expressions when talking about natural disasters

1. Nan lane 2004, siklòn Jàn te touye - In 2004, hurricane Jeanne killed 3000
twa mil moun ann Ayiti. people in Haiti.
2. Glismanntèren kab koze eboulman - Landslides can cause rocks and earth to
wòch ak tè nan yon pant. fall down a slope.
3. Pa konn gen tònad nan peyi Dayiti. - Generally, there are no tornadoes in Haiti.
4. Vòlkan yo pa ann aktivite ann Ayiti. - The Haitian volcanoes are not active.
5. Pa janm gen Sounami ann Ayiti. - Haiti never experiences tsunamis.
6. Toujou gen anpil inondasyon nan vil - There have been many floods in the city of
Gonayiv. Gonaives.
7. Dife pa koze dega souvan ann Ayiti. - Fires do not often cause damage in Haiti.
8. Se debwazman ki lakòz sechrès ann - Deforestation is the cause of drought in
Ayiti. Haiti.
9. Lagrèl pa tonbe souvan ann Ayiti. - Hailstones do not fall often in Haiti.
10. Tranblemanntè mayitid 7.2, ki te - The 7.2 magnitude earthquake, that hit
frape Pòtoprens nan mwa janvye Port‐au‐Prince in January 2010, killed
2010 la, te touye 230 mil moun. 230,000 people.
11. Yon tanpèt pi piti pase yon siklòn. - A storm is less powerful than a hurricane.
12. Se nan peyi fredi ki gen tanpètnèj. - Blizzards only happen in cold countries.

CD 1‐ 71 – DJALÒG
• Wòzlò is being interviewed at a radio station after the killer
earthquake that hit the capital of Haiti in January 2010. Listen to the interview.

Radio host: - M gen Wòzlò Petitòm avèk mwen nan radyo a la. Li pral pale nou
de tranblemanntè 12 janvye a. Bonjou Wòzlò! Kijan ou ye jodi a?
Wòzlò: - M ap boule. E ou menm?
Radio host: - M pa pi mal! Èske ou ka di nou kote ou te ye e kisa ou t ap fè lè
tranblemanntè a te pase?
Wòzlò: - Lè tranblemanntè a, mwen t ap swiv yon kou nan fakilte
lengwistik la.
Radio host: - Èske ou kab eksplike nou sa k te pase?
Wòzlò: - Pandan pwofesè a t ap pale, tout bagay te tonbe sekwe epi tousuit
apre mi yo ak plafon klas la te tonbe sou nou.
Radio host: - Èske te gen moun ki blese oswa mouri?
Wòzlò: - Men wi! Pwofesè ak pifò etidyan yo mouri. Gen anpil lòt ki te blese.
Mwen menm, se Bondye ki sove m ki fè m pa mouri.

22
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

ANNOU TCHEKE SI NOU KONPRANN DJALÒG LA

! Answer the following questions in Kreyòl according to the dialogue.

1. Nan ki dat tranblemanntè a te pase?

2. Ki kote Wozlò te ye lè tranblemanntè a te pase?
3. Ki aktivite Wozlò t ap fè lè tranblemanntè a te pase?
4. Kisa k te rive pwofesè ak etidyan yo?
5. Kisa k fè Wozlò pa mouri

" Enfòmasyon kiltirèl: “Sa a se twòkèt la, chay la dèyè.” This proverb literally
means: “This is just the beginning; the worst is yet to come.” This is exactly what
geologists said after the major earthquake that caused destruction and mounting
death tolls in Haiti in January 2010. Since Port‐au‐Prince sits directly on a
seismic fault line, many geologists believe that this city may experience more
significant earthquakes in the future.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 1‐ 72 – Koute byen. Vrè oswa Fo? You will hear 10 statements

about bad weather and natural disasters. Listen and choose Vrè or Fo.

Vrè Fo Vrè Fo
1. ! ! 6. ! !
2. ! ! 7. ! !
3. ! ! 8. ! !
4. ! ! 9. ! !
5. ! ! 10. ! !

B. Ki katastwòf natirèl sa a? Match column one to column two as in the example.

Example: ‐ 1. Siklòn → Answer: k) se gwo van sikilè ki vini ak lapli, loray ak

zeklè.

1. Siklòn a) se anpil moso glas k ap tonbe sot nan syèl la.

2. Dife b) ou jwenn sa nan dezè kote ki pa gen dlo.
3. Glismanntèren c) sa kab fè latè sekwe jouk kay yo tonbe
4. Vòlkan kraze.
5. Sounami d) se yon depresyon ki pi piti pase yon siklòn.
6. Inondasyon e) se yon twou nan tè a ki konn krache dife ak
7. Sechrès lav.

23
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

8. Lagrèl f) sa kab boule kay ou ak tou sa ou genyen.

9. Tranblemanntè g) se yon tanpèt ou jwenn nan peyi fredi.
10. Tanpèt h) sa kab koze eboulman wòch ak tè.
11. Tanpètnèj i) se gwo dlo ki kab kouvri latè.
j) se gwo vag lanmè ki kab koze inondasyon.
k) se gwo van sikilè ki vini ak lapli, loray ak
zeklè.

C. Ann reponn kesyon! Your classmate is asking a lot of questions about natural
disasters. Answer with complete sentences.

Example: Èske ou anvi fè eksperyans tranblemanntè? Poukisa?

Posible answer : Non, m pa anvi paske tranblemanntè kab touye moun.

1. Kisa ki kab koze eboulman wòch ak tè?

2. Èske konn gen tanpètnèj nan peyi ou?
3. Kisa yon sounami ye?
4. Èske ou wè lagrèl deja?
5. Kisa ki pi gwo: yon tanpèt oswa yon siklòn?
6. Kisa ki kab koze sechrès?
7. Èske konn gen tanpètnèj nan peyi chalè? Poukisa?
8. Kisa ki konn krache dife ak lav.

II. The Noun: gender and number

A noun usually refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, quality, or idea.
Nouns are divided into proper and common nouns.

Proper Nouns ‐ In Kreyòl, like English and most other languages that use the
Latin alphabet, proper nouns are usually capitalized. Proper nouns generally
represent unique entities like (Jòj: Georges; Nouyòk: New‐York). Proper nouns
are written, like any other nouns, according to the Kreyòl orthography. Consider
the following examples in which proper nouns are underlined.

1. Tousen Louvèti te goumen kont - Toussaint Louverture fought against

lesklavaj. slavery.
2. Jòj Wachintonn se te premye - Georges Washinton was the first
prezidan ameriken. American president.
3. Wa Anri Kristòf te bati Sitadèl - King Henri Christophe built the

24
This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Laferyè a tou pre Milo ann Ayiti. Citadelle Laferrière near Milot in
Haiti.
Common Nouns ‐ In Kreyòl, like in English, common nouns are often
accompanied by a determiner. Consider the following examples in which
common nouns are identified with two lines.

1. Se yon chemiz. - It’s a shirt.

2. Tan an move anpil. - The weather is pretty bad.
3. Fi sa a pa byen abiye. - This woman is not properly dressed.

Nouns derived from trade marks ‐ English speaking people tend to call all
painkillers “aspirin” or all tissues “kleenex”. Similarly, many trademarks, that are
supposed to be proper nouns, have become common nouns in Kreyòl. Here is a
list of the most frequent trademarks used as common nouns in Kreyòl.

1. chiklèt - Trade mark chewing gum

2. dèlko « Chiclets »
3. djip - Trade mark generator « Delco »
4. frijidè - Trade mark SUV « Jeep»
5. iglou - Trade mark refrigerator
6. jilèt / razwa « Frigidaire »
7. kitèks - Trade mark cooler « Igloo»
8. kodak - Trade mark razor blade « Gillette»
9. kòlgat / pat - Trade mark nail polish « Cutex»
10. panmpèz / kouchèt - Trade mark camera « Kodak »
11. tèmòs - Trade mark toothpaste « Colgate»
- Trade mark diaper « Pampers»
- Trade mark cooler « Thermos»

Singular and plural nouns – In Kreyòl, if a noun is definite, it is pluralized by

adding “yo” after it. If it is indefinite, it has no plural marker; its plurality is clear
from context. Besides “yo”, other words such as anpil, kèk, yon bann, yon pakèt,
plizyè are used before the noun to indicate pluralization. Note that you must
never add the letters “s” or “es” to Kreyòl nouns to make them plural like you do
in English.

1. Dèlko yo nan depo a. - The generators are in the storage facility.

2. Djip fèt pou wout tè. - SUVs are made for dirt roads.
3. Gen anpil byè nan frijidè a. - There are a lot of beers in the refrigerator.
4. Iglou yo chaje bwason. - The coolers are full of drinks.
5. Jilèt yo nan tiwa a. - The razors are in the drawer.
6. Li mete kitèks la sou zong li yo. - She applied the nail polish to her nails.
7. Gen douz kodak nan magazen an. - There are twelve cameras in the store.

25
This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

8. Kòlgat la netwaye dan yo byen. - Toothpaste clean the teeth well.

9. Panmpèz yo nan twalèt la. - The diapers are in the bathroom.
10. M bezwen tèmòs yo kounye a. - I need the coolers right now.

Gender of Nouns: Female/Male –While some words refer to male and female
persons and animals, there is no gramatical gender or gender agreement in
Kreyòl. However, in French, the language that gave Kreyòl 90% of its vocabulary,
nouns are masculine or feminine. As a result, although there is no gender
agreement in Kreyòl, there are many words that have a feminine as well as a
masculine form.

Here is a partial list of words (nouns and adjectives) used to distinguish between
male and female.

1. fanm/nonm - woman/man
2. ti fi/ti gason - girl/boy
3. sè/frè - sister/brother
4. kouzin/kouzen - cousin/cousin
5. manman/papa - mother/father
6. manbo/oungan - female vodou priest/ male vodou priest
7. koutiryè/bòs tayè - female dress maker/ male tailor
8. chantèz/chantè - female singer/male singer
9. basketè/basketèz - male basket‐ball player/female player
10. ayisyèn/ayisyen - female Haitian/male Haitian
11. bayameyèn/bayameyen - female Bahamian/male Bahamian
12. banadyèn/kanadyen - female Canadian/male Canadian
13. amerikèn/ameriken - female American/male American
14. femèl/mal - female/male
15. femèl kabrit/mal kabrit - female goat/male goat
16. manman poul/kòk - hen/roaster

Gender issues with words referring to professions and nationalities – Many

Kreyòl nouns and adjectives referring to nationalities and professions have both
masculine and feminine forms. Many words that end with “è” take a “z” at the
end to indicate feminine such as foutbolè/foutbolèz; chantè/chantèz. Most
words refering to nationality have the grave accent on the “e” that precedes the
“n” like in ayisyen/ayisyèn; bayameyen/bayameyèn.

26
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

1. Wòzlò fèt Ayiti, li se Ayisyèn. - Wòzlò was born in Haiti; she is Haitian.
2. Chal se ayisyen tou. - Chal is Haitian as well.
3. Fanm bayameyèn yo renmen danse. - Bahamian women like to dance.
4. Gason bayameyen yo renmen bwè byè. - Bahamian men like to drink beer.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. Non pwòp oswa non komen? Draw one line under the proper nouns and two
lines under the common nouns to identify them in the following sentences.
Example: Dife pa koze dega souvan ann Ayiti.

1. Dife pa koze dega souvan ann Ayiti. 7. Ti Manno te konn chante mizik
2. Toujou gen inondasyon Gonayiv. ayisyen.
3. Bòb Male te konn jwe mizik rege. 8. Televizyon an se pou Wozlò li ye.
4. Doktè Maten Litè Kinn te gen yon 9. Siklòn nan ravaje vil Okay.
rèv. 10. Tranblemanntè a fè anpil dega nan
5. Obama se premye prezidan nwa vil Pòtoprens.
ameriken. 11. Lagrèl pa tonbe souvan ann Ayiti.
6. Yo prale Pòtoprens mwa pwochen.

B. Sengilye oswa Pliryèl? Draw one line under singular nouns and two lines under
plural nouns in each of the following sentences.

Example: Se lavalas la ki charye wòch yo met nan lari a.

1. Gen anpil byè nan frijidè a.
2. Siklòn nan kraze tout kay yo.
3. Syèl la kouvri ak nyaj.
4. Machin nan gen twòp moun.
5. Gen douz kodak nan magazen an.
6. Kòlgat la netwaye dan yo byen.
7. Gen plizyè tranblemanntè ki pase deja ann Ayiti.
8. Albèto gen twa pitit : yon gason ak de fi.
9. Tanpèt ak siklòn se depresyon atmosferik yo ye.
10. Sechrès se yon katastwòf natirèl debwazman koze.

27
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

C. Jwenn non ak adjektif feminen yo. Provide the feminine form for each of the
following nouns which refer to male persons or animals.

Example: Nonm → Answer: Fanm

1. mari 9. neve
2. bòfrè 10. volè
3. bòpè 11. travayè
4. granpè 12. parenn
5. kouzen 13. gason
6. monnonk 14. bòs tayè
7. oungan 15. mal kabrit
8. kanadyen 16. manman poul

D. Mete non yo opliryèl. Change the underlined segments into plural in the
following sentences. Pay attention to the article used with each noun before
making the changes.

1. Tranblemanntè a te fè anpil dega nan vil Pòtoprens.

2. Gen yon siklòn nan vil Okap.
3. Gen yon plim nan valiz la.
4. Gen yon sèl moun nan machin nan.
5. Kòlgat la netwaye bouch la byen.
6. Matiniken an pale franse ak kreyòl.
7. Siklòn nan kraze tout kay la.
8. Kote kodak la ye?

E. Ann fè yon ti konvèsasyon! ‐ Answer the following questions using full

sentences.

1. Konbyen elèv ki gen nan klas kreyòl la?

2. Konbyen pwofesè ki gen nan klas kreyòl la?
3. Konbyen moun ki gen nan fanmi ou?
4. Konbyen pyès ki gen lakay ou?
5. Konbyen machin ou genyen?

28
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

III. The consonant /k/

You learned that the consonant sound k is never silent like in English words such
as know or knee. You also learned that k is the only letter used in Kreyòl for the
hard C sound found in English words like card, cold, cup or for the k sound in
words like kiss, key or king.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 1‐ 73 – Listen and repeat the words with the consonant sound k.

K, k: katastwòf, kay, kèk, kenz, kilòt, kitèks, kodak, kòk, koken, kote,
kouchèt, kwoke, atmosferik, bourik, lengwistik, chiklèt, siklòn, vòlkan.

B. CD 1‐ 74 – Yon ti dikte. Listen carefully and write down the missing words.

Example: You hear → _____________ kitèks ____________ te achte a?

You write → Kote kitèks Karin te achte a?

1. Eske ou ______________ kouman pou fè ji __________________?

2. ____________________ ki nan kòf dèyè machin nan _________________.
3. Kote _______________ ki konn ______________ nan ________________ a?
4. Karin _______________ kèk _______________ anndan ________________ la.
5. Yon ________________ se yon depresyon_____________________.
6. Katrin ap swiv kou ______________ nan fakilte __________________ aplike a.
7. Konpè ______________ak konpè ______________ toujou nan ________________.
8. Jaklin ka ______________ manje nan _________________ nan .
9. Klòch ____________________ la sonnen chak ____________________ a _____________.
10. ______________ pa ______________ dife depi _________________ jou.

29
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

IV. Annou li

Reading strategies and techniques

! Predict content
You learned that prediction is an important strategy in reading for comprehension.
We can predict the content of a newspaper article by analyzing information from its
title and the first sentence of its first paragraph. Once we check its headline, we may
decide whether or not we will read this article.

Katastwòf natirèl ann Ayiti

You will practice how to use some techniques and strategies to predict the
content of newspaper articles from their headlines.

A. Anvan ou li. Imagine that you have an assignment on recent natural disasters in
Haiti. You are in a library looking for documents on the subject. You ask a
librarian and she/he is helping you. The librarian helps you find Kreyòl
newspapers that contain six articles on the subject. What would be your first
reaction to these articles?

B. Pandan ou ap li. Some of the following passages are titles and some are first
sentences of articles. Read each of them in order to determine which article you
will read depending on your specific topic.

1. Gwo tranblemanntè nan peyi Ayiti

2. Donatè entènasyonal yo ofri plizyè milyon dola pou ede viktim

inondasyon yo epi pou rekonstwi vil Gonayiv.

3. Yon gwo tranblemanntè ratibwaze Pòtoprens

4. Prezidan Obama mande Kongrè Ameriken an yon fon lajan dijans

pou ede Ayiti apre tranblemanntè 12 Janvye 2010 a.

5. Vil Gonayiv anba dlo

6. Konsila Ayisyen nan Miyami kontinye travay pou ede reskape

tranblemanntè yo.

30
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

C. Lè ou fin li. Now you have read all these items, answer the following questions
in English.

1. Three of the six articles are titles and three are first sentences. Identify
them: which ones are titles and which ones are first sentences?
2. If your specific topic is “flooding in Haiti”, which article would you read?
3. If your specific topic is “earhquake in Haiti”, which article would you read?
4. If your specific topic is “response of the international community after the
earthquake in Haiti”, which article would you read?
5. If your specific topic is “response of the international community after the
flooding”, which article would you read?

A. Lè ou fin reponn kesyon yo. Re‐read your answers. Is there something else you
want to add or remove? Make the necessary corrections before sharing your
answers with your classmates.

31
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Leson 4 : Ann sispann koupe pyebwa

- Language aim: Discussing ecological issues
- Vocabulary: Ekpresyon ak mo pale de pwoblèm ekolojik
- Grammar and Structures: The demonstrative (singular and plural)
- Pronunciation and Spelling: The consonants /m/ and /n/
- Speaking: Pwoblèm debwazman ann Ayiti

I. Pwoblèm debwazman

Debwazman ka koze anpil pwoblèm nan lemonn. Poukisa moun koupe pyebwa e ki
pwoblèm sa kab koze?

Kèk rezon ki lakòz moun koupe pyebwa:

pou bati kay for house construction

pou fè chabon to make charcoal
pou fè papye to make paper
pou fè mèb to make furniture
pou fè wout for road construction
pou kiltive latè to grow crops
pou pwodwi enèji for fuel, for energy production
pou rezon ekonomik for economic reasons

32
This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Konsekans debwazman sou anviwonman an:

chanjman klimatik climate change

deranjman sik dlo a disruption of the water cycle
ewozyon latè soil erosion
inondasyon flooding
sechrès drought
pèt biyodivèsite loss of biodiversity

CD 2‐ 1 – DJALÒG
• Two Haitian peasants, Jozafa and Anatòl, who live close to the Pic Macaya
National Park in Southern Haiti, are talking about deforestation in their area.
Listen!

Jozafa: - O! Anatòl, Kote w ye konsa? Sa k pase?

Anatòl: - Enben ! Ou konnen konpè m. Nou la. N ap debat ak lavi a.
Jozafa: - Bon koute non! Apa m tande nou pa gen dwa koupe pyebwa nan zòn
nan ankò. Kouman nou pral fè bay fanmi nou manje?
Anatòl: - Konpè Jozafa, m konprann pwoblèm ou. Men se pou ou eseye konprann
poukisa leta pa vle moun koupe pyebwa nan mòn nan ankò.
Jozafa: - Enben Anatòl! Kòm se ou k se nèg save, w a eksplike mwen.
Anatòl: - Otorite yo mete entèdiksyon koupe pyebwa pou anpil bon jan rezon.
Jozafa: - Enben di m non Anatòl! M ap tande w wi!
Anatòl: - Pyebwa se youn nan bagay ki pi itil sou latè. Pyebwa gen yon enpòtans
total kapital nan lavi moun ak bèt yo.
Jozafa: - M dakò Anatòl! Pyebwa itil vre paske lè w koupe yon pyebwa, ou
jwenn li pou ou boule, pou fè chabon, mèb ak anpil lòt bagay.
Anatòl: - Non konpè Jozafa ! Ou pa konprann. Se pa sa m vle di. Se pa lè ou koupe
pyebwa a li itil. Pyebwa yo gen plis enpòtans lè yo tou vivan nan tè a.
Jozafa: - Kouman sa Anatòl? M poko janm konprann sa ou ap di a.
Anatòl: - Koute byen. Pyebwa yo itil lè yo nan tè a paske se yo ki fè lapli tonbe; se
yo ki pwoteje bon tè nou itilize pou fè jaden; se pyebwa yo ki bay anpil
zwazo ak lòt bèt manje ak kote pou fè nich yo.
Jozafa: - A bon! Kidonk lè nou koupe pyebwa, bèt yo ka mouri epi sa ka fè lapli
pa janm tonbe. Jan nou bezwen dlo pou jaden diri yo!
Anatòl: - A! Ou konprann mwen! Lè w koupe pyebwa yo, tè a vinn sèk epi anyen p
ap ka pouse ladan l. Epi tout sous dlo yo ap vin sèch tou.
Jozafa: - Bon! ou gen rezon Anatòl. Fòk nou al bay lòt moun yo bon nouvèl sa a

33
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

" ANNOU TCHEKE SI NOU KONPRANN DJALÒG LA

! Answer the following questions according to the dialogue.

1. Ki moun ki pi parèt entèlijan: Jozafa, oswa Anatòl? Poukisa?

2. Ki pwoblèm Jozafa genyen ak koze sispann koupe pyebwa a?
3. Èske nan kòmansman djalòg la, Jozafa te konprann poukisa leta pa vle
moun koupe pyebwa nan zòn nan?
4. Dapre sa Anatòl eksplike, poukisa leta pa vle moun koupe pyebwa nan
zòn nan?
5. Kilè pyebwa gen plis enpòtans: lè yo vivan oswa lè yo koupe?
6. Ki enpòtans pyebwa genyen pou zwazo ak lòt bèt yo?
7. Lè yo koupe pyebwa, ki katastwòf natirèl sa ka koze?
8. Èske Jozafa te vin dakò ak Anatòl? Poukisa?

" Enfòmasyon kiltirèl: Deforestation in Haiti is a serious environmental problem.

There are only three remaining natural forests in Haiti: La Visite National Park,
located 22 km south‐southeast of Port‐au‐Prince; Pic Macaya National Park
located in the Massif de la Hotte Mountain Range in the southern peninsula of
Haiti; and Foret des Pins located in the Southeast region. Because of political and
economic disorder, it’s very difficult for the Haitian government to prevent
people from cutting trees for building materials or to make charcoal, which is
used for cooking.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 2‐ 2 – Koute byen. Rezon oswa Konsekans? You will hear 10

statements about causes and consequences of deforestation. Listen to each
statement, and then indicate whether it is a Rezon or a Konsekans of deforestation.

Rezon Konsekans Rezon Konsekans

1. ! ! 6. ! !
2. ! ! 7. ! !
3. ! ! 8. ! !
4. ! ! 9. ! !
5. ! ! 10. ! !

34
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

B. Rezon ak konsekans deforestasyon ‐ Match column one to column two as in

the example provided.

Example: ‐ 1. chanjman klimatik → Answer: e) latè vin pi cho oswa pi frèt

1. chanjman klimatik a) pou moun rete

2. bati kay b) lapli pa tonbe menm jan
3. deranjman sik dlo a c) disparisyon plant ak bèt yo
4. fè chabon d) lapli pote bon tè yo al nan lanmè
5. ewozyon latè e) latè vin pi cho oswa pi frèt
6. fè papye f) plante ak rekòlte
7. inondasyon g) pou vwayaje vit
8. fè mèb h) gwo dlo ki kouvri tout bagay
9. pèt biyodivèsite i) pou kwit manje
10. fè wout j) pou kaye ak liv
11. kiltive latè k) pou mete nan kay

C. Ann fè yon ti konvèsasyon! ‐ Your classmate is asking a lot of questions about

natural disasters. Answer with complete sentences.

Example: Èske moun koupe anpil pyebwa nan peyi ou? Poukisa?
Possible answer : Wi, nan peyi m, yo koupe anpil pyebwa pou fè chabon.

1. Kisa “pèt biyodivèsite” vle di?

2. Ki konsekans chanjman klimatik kab genyen sou anviwonman an?
3. Ak kisa yo fè chabon?
4. Kouman yo rele fenomèn lè lapli pote bon tè yo al nan lanmè a?
5. Kisa yo fè ak chabon?
6. Kijan yo rele fenomèn rechofman oswa refwadisman latè?
7. Kisa k koze deranjman sik dlo a?
8. Kijan yo rele fenomèn ki fè lapli pa tonbe epi sous yo sèch la?

35
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

II. The demonstrative (singular and plural)

You learned that one of the five singular forms of the definite article is “a” and
the only form used for the plural is “yo”. The Kreyòl demonstrative determiner is
“sa”. It’s always combined with the definite article forms “a” (sa a) for the
singular or “yo” (sa yo) for the plural. Note that the demonstrative determiners
follow the noun in Kreyòl.

1. Chemiz sa a twò piti. - This/that shirt is too small.

2. Soulye sa yo sal. - These/those shoes are dirty.
3. Ou mèt abiye ak rad sa yo. - You may put on these/those clothes.
4. Sa a se yon siklòn. - This is a hurricane.
5. Sa yo se lagrèl. - These are hailstones.

As indicated in the examples above, “sa a” corresponds to both this/that and

“sa yo” corresponds to both these/those. However, in Kreyòl, there exists the
forms “sila a” and “sila yo” which can be translated in English by these/those as
well as by that/this one; these/those ones.

1. Jip sila a sanble sal. - That skirt seems to be dirty.

2. Rad sila yo pwòp. - Those clothes are clean.
3. Chemiz sa a twò piti men sila a - This shirt is too small but that one
bon. is fine.
4. Soulye sa yo nwa men sila yo - These shoes are black but those
blan. ones are white
5. Ou mèt abiye ak rad sa yo, men - You may put on these clothes, but
ou pa dwe mete sila yo. don’t wear these/those ones.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. Kisa sa yo ye? Identify the following clothing items using the correct
demonstrative determiner like in the examples.
EXAMPLES
Sa a se yon mayo. Sa yo se rad. Sa a se yon chanday.

! Name these clothing items according to the examples above:

36
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

B. Change the underlined singular elements in the following sentences to the plural.

1. Tranblemanntè sa a te vin pou touye Ayisyen.

2. Andre mete soulye sa a.
3. Ti gason an mete slip sila a.
4. Sa a se yon wòb.
5. Sa a se kilòt la.
6. Li mete tenis sa a nan pye l.
7. Chal mete sentiwon an.
8. Chal chwazi bous sa a.
9. Sa a se gwo van an.
10. Sa se yon siklòn.

C. Ann pote plis presizyon! Replace the definite or indefinite article of the
underlined nouns by the correct form of the demonstrative determiner.

Example: ‐ Pa achte soulye yo. → Answer: Pa achte soulye sa yo.

1. Fè atansyon ak gwo van an. 5. Etenn dife a.

2. Siklòn yo pral fè anpil dega. 6. Tònad la vini ak gwo van, loray epi
3. Inondasyon an touye plis pase lapli.
de mil moun. 7. Se peyizan yo ki koupe pyebwa a pou fè
4. A kilè tranblemanntè a te chabon.
pase? 8. Debwazman lakòz lanmò zwazo yo.

37
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

III. The consonant /m/ and /n/

M and N are both considered to be nasal consonants. You learned that in Kreyòl,
the nasal consonant M never substitutes for N before P and B as it does in
English words like ample, embassy, or womb.

You also learned that N preceding a vowel is usually pronounced the same way
as in English. However, when N follows the oral vowels a, e, o, it combines with
them to form the nasal vowels an, en, on which are pronounced as one single
sound each like in van, ven, and pon.

ANNOU PRATIKE

A. CD 2‐3 – Listen and repeat the following words with the nasal
consonant sounds M and N.

ane, bann, bannann, janm, konn, lane, lanmou, machin, madanm, malad,
manm, mayo, mennaj, pàn, siklòn, timoun vann, zanmann, manyen

B. CD 2‐4 – Yon ti dikte. Listen carefully and write down the missing
words.

Example: You hear → Madanm nan pa ___________banm __________ timoun

yo.
You write → Madanm nan pa janm banm mayo timoun yo.

1. Madan Masèl se __________ ki konn _________ manm gason.

2. Siklòn Alèn te bay __________ Okay anpil ___________ nan _________ 1980.
3. Jaklin di _____________ klimatik la se ______________ ki lakòz li.
4. Malèn ap __________ Marigo ____________ pwochenn pou l al wè __________ li.
5. Matla ki sou ___________ michou an pa bon _____________.
6. ____________ bannann nan konn ____________ mayi _____________ tou.
7. ____________ sa a ap kouri tout ____________ nan ___________ nan.
8. _____________ ki rele Mimin nan se yon jenn ____________.
9. Grenn _____________ pa janm ____________ san soupe.
10. Mayi ak ____________ se manje ____________ achte pou ti ____________.

38
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

IV. Annou koute

Listening strategies and techniques

! Recognizing the genre of spoken discourse

While learning Kreyòl, you will come across various types of spoken discourse
such as political speeches, radio interviews, commercials, messages on
answering machine, news broadcast etc. Try to identify the context of what you
hear so that you can activate your background knowledge about that type of
discourse and identify the speaker’s intentions.

CD 2‐5 – Fenomèn debwazman ann Ayiti

You will practice identifying the types of spoken discourse.

A. Anvan ou koute. Imagine that you are listening to a radio station in Haiti. Be
ready to listen to two short selections. Think about listening strategies and
techniques you use when listening to the radio in English or any other language.
B. Pandan w ap koute. You will listen to the recordings twice. The first time, try to
grasp the meaning of the entire materials. Identify the type of discourse for each
recording as well their purpose. The second time, listen for details so you can be
ready to answer some questions.

Some new words from the materials you are about to listen

Kafoufèy name of a neighborhood toutlasentjounen all day long

pwovoke to cause Mòn Lopital name of a montain
malè misfortune egzije to demand
rejiyon area pwogram program
metwopolitèn metropolitan rebwazman reforestation
kretyen vivan human being mete sou pye to put in place
blese injured sispann to stop
pèdi lavi to loss one’s life kwit manje to cook
mobilize to mobilize, to rally chabon bwa charcoal
manifestan demonstrators recho stove
entèdi to forbid recho gaz gas stove
kamyon truck gaz pwopàn propane gas
anplis moreover solisyon solution

39
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

C. Lè ou fin koute. Work in groups of three or four to answer the following

questions in Kreyòl about the two recordings.

1. What is the genre of each the two selections? Justify your answer.
2. Suggest a title for each selection. Provide the titles in Kreyòl.
3. Ki dat epi ki kote gwo lapli a te tonbe?
4. Ki katastwòf natirèl gwo lapli a te koze nan anviwonman an?
5. Konbyen moun katastwòf natirèl sa yo te touye epi blese?
6. Ki reyaksyon moun yo apre sa k te pase a?
7. Kisa moun yo te reklame nan mouvman revandikasyon yo a.
8. Ki kalite eksepsyonèl recho Bip Ti Cheri a genyen?

D. Lè ou fin reponn kesyon yo. Re‐read your answers. Make the necessary
corrections before sharing your answers with your classmates.

40
This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

Dosye sosyoekolojik
Ecological issues in Haiti

Before the mid‐January 2010 earthquakes, Haiti was already the economically
poorest and one of the most environmentally degraded countries in the
Caribbean. The quakes aggravated both the economic and the ecological
situations. Around 60 percent of the Haiti’s GDP was wiped out and half of the
houses in Haiti’s capital were destroyed. Many wealthy and middle‐class Haitians
left the country taking with them their remaining wealth along with their skills
which were needed to rebuild the country.

In a country where waste management was already a serious problem, the

destruction of thousands of buildings that unexpectedly became debris
exacerbated Haiti’s environmental problems. While the Haitian government
officials were seeking foreign aid to help rebuild the country, they forgot that
environmental degradation such as deforestation, water pollution and scarcity,
soil erosion, biodiversity loss, decline of marine resources are still pressing issues

Houses close to sand quarry in Laboule 12

41
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

" ANNOU APRANN LI

Reading strategies and techniques

You already learned that you can learn a lot about a text by looking at its format and
by looking for cognates, titles, and subtitles. You may skim to get the gist of the
reading and scan it for more specific information.

! Reading for the main ideas

Reading for the main ideas is another helpful strategy that you can use. It involves
locating the topic sentences of each paragraph to determine the author’s purpose.
Topic sentences can provide clues about the content of each paragraph, as well as
the general organization of the text.

42
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

You will read a text on ecological concerns in Haiti. Apply the techniques and use
the strategies you learned to help you understand the text.

A. Anvan ou li. Think about the following questions before you read the lyrics.
What environmental issues that have an effect on everyone on the planet? What
do you know about the environmental situation in Haiti?

Here are some new words from the text you need to know

polisyon pollution poutan however,

ekspè expert jeyoloji geology
relasyon kozaefè cause‐effect relation prevwa to foresee
sitiyasyon situation avèti to notify in advance
ravaje to ravage, devastate mwayen possibility, budget
espesialis specialist lojistik logistic
detwi to destroy petèt perhaps
pousan percent frape to hit
tè danre crops rejyon region
abitan farmer kidonk so, therefore
afekte to affect nonpli either, neither
dirèkteman directly kòm as
konparezon comparison konbistib combustible
kokennchenn enormous elatriye etc.
domaj damage domenn field
devaste to devastate malgre despite
kontinan continent danje disparèt endangered

B. The following text has five paragraphs. Before reading the entire text, skim it in
order to identify the main idea of each paragraph.

Katastwòf natirèl ak ekolojik nan peyi Dayiti

Ayiti se yon peyi ki gen anpil pwoblèm ekolojik ak ekonomik. Byen anvan
tranblemanntè 12 janvye a te frape, Ayiti te deja chaje ak tout kalite pwoblèm
ekolojik tankou debwazman, sechrès, polisyon dlo ak lè, epi ak pèt biyodivèsite.
Dapre ekspè nan zafè anviwonman, sanble pwoblèm ekolojik sa yo ta gen bon
jan relasyon kozaefè avèk sitiyasyon ekonomik peyi a. 5

Pandan peryòd 2000 a 2010 la, peyi Dayiti viktim plizyè katastwòf natirèl
tankou inondasyon, lavalas ak siklòn. Nan lane 2004, siklòn Jàn te touye plis pase

43
This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

3000 kretyen vivan nan peyi Dayiti. Pami 3000 viktim sa yo, 2800 ladan yo se
moun Gonayiv. Men ta sanble ke se nan lane 2008 la ke Ayiti soufri plis anba
siklòn. Te genyen kat siklòn (Fay, Gustave, Hanna and Ike) ki ravaje Ayiti nan sèl 10
lane 2008 la. Dapre kèk espesialis nan meteyoloji, inondasyon ak lavalas ke
siklòn sa yo te pote a, te detwi 70 pousan tè danre abitan nan peyi a. Te genyen
plis pase 8 pousan popilasyon Ayiti a ki te afekte dirèkteman lè siklòn sa yo te
frape a. Men, an konparezon ak dega tranblemanntè 2010 la te koze, siklòn lane
2004 ansanm ak 2008 yo pa t anyen. Se kòm si siklòn yo se te twòkèt la epi
tranblemanntè a se te chay la. 15

Nan apremidi 12 janvye 2010, yon kokennchenn tranblemanntè mayitid 7.2

te devaste Pòtoprens ak pifò vil ki antoure l yo. Tranblemanntè a te fè anpil dega
nan Leyogan, Tigwav ak Lagonav. Tranblemanntè sa a, se katastwòf ki fè plis
domaj materyèl e ki touye plis moun nan istwa kontinan ameriken an. Dapre
otorite ayisyen yo, plis pase 200 000 moun mouri, 300 000 blese, e 1 500 000 lòt
ap dòmi nan lari. Pèp la ansanm ak leta ayisyen pa t janm panse yon bagay konsa
te ka rive nan vil Pòtoprens. Poutan, savan ayisyen ki gen anpil konesans nan 20
jeyoloji, te prevwa katastwòf la. Yo te menm avèti gouvènman ayisyen an ke gen
yon gwo tranblemanntè ki pral ravaje Pòtoprens. Poukisa otorite yo pa t fè
anyen pou prepare pèp la? Èske se paske yo pa t kwè nan sa jeyològ yo te anonse
a oswa paske yo pa t gen mwayen lojistik ak ekonomik pou fè sa ki te nesesè a?

Si leta ayisyen an te gen plis mwayen lojistik ak ekonomik, petèt ke ta gen 25

mwens viktim lè katastwòf natirèl yo frape peyi a. Ayiti se peyi ki pi pòv nan
rejiyon an. Moun yo pa gen elektrisite kidonk, recho elektrik pa kab mache. Yo pa
gen lajan pou achte recho gaz nonplis. Se poutèt sa yo koupe pyebwa pou itlize
kòm enèji konbistib. Moun yo menm rive ap koupe bwa nan zòn pwoteje yo
tankou Pik Makaya, Pak Lavizit, Forè dè Pen elatriye. Dapre espesialis nan
30
domenn anviwonman ak ekoloji, sanble ke Ayiti deja pèdi 98 pousan nan tout
pyebwa li te genyen. Malgre sitiyasyon an grav pase aksan grav, moun kontinye
ap koupe bwa pi rèd.

Fenomèn debwazman an sanble ta responsab malè pèp ayisyen. Anpil savan

kwè ke se debwazman an ki responsab inondasyon, lavalas, ewozyon, ak lanmò
35
anpil espès bèt ak plant ki deja an danje pou disparèt. Nan kondisyon sa a, se pou
leta Ayisyen ansanm ak sosyete sivil la reflechi byen pou yo kab jwenn yon
solisyon a pwoblèm enviwoman nan peyi Dayiti.

Frenand Léger, March 2010

44
 This is a sample chapter with lessons from the textbook Pawòl Lakay : Haitian-Creole Language and
Culture for Beginner and Intermediate Learner published by Educa Vision © Copyright 2011.

C. Pandan w ap li. How would you translate the following sentences from the text
into English? Use the glossary of your textbook, your dictionnary and the
strategies and techiniques you learned to translate these sentences as accurately
as possible.

1. Ayiti se yon peyi ki gen anpil pwoblèm ekolojik ak ekonomik.

2. Pandan peryòd 2000 a 2010 la, peyi Dayiti viktim plizyè katastwòf natirèl
tankou inondasyon, lavalas ak siklòn.
3. Nan apremidi 12 janvye 2010, yon kokennchenn tranblemanntè mayitid 7.2 te
devaste Pòtoprens ak pifò vil ki antoure l yo.
4. Si leta ayisyen an te gen plis mwayen lojistik ak ekonomik, petèt ke ta gen
mwens viktim lè katastwòf natirèl yo frape peyi a.
5. Fenomèn debwazman an sanble ta responsab malè pèp ayisyen.

D. Lè ou fin li. Work in groups of three or four to answer the following questions
about the text. Answer using the language in which each question is asked.
Depending on the question, you might need to skim or scan the text again to
answer.

1. What is the main idea of each paragraph? Justify your answer.

2. Suggest a title for each paragraph. Provide the titles in Kreyòl.
3. Ki kalite katastwòf natirèl kit e genyen anvan tranblemanntè a?
4. Nan ki ane te gen plis siklòn ki koze pwoblèm ann Ayiti?
5. Konbyen siklòn ki devaste Ayiti nan lane 2008?
6. Anplis Pòtoprens, ki lòt vil tranblemanntè 12 janvye a te ravaje?
7. Konbyen moun ki sinistre akòz tranblemanntè 12 janvye a?
8. Èske Ayisyen sispann koupe pyebwa kounye a? Poukisa?

E. Lè ou fin reponn kesyon yo. Re‐read your answers. Is there something else you
want to add or remove? Make the necessary corrections before sharing your
answers with your classmates.

45