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Bon bini means "welcome" in Papiamentu, the native language of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao (the three NA Islands off the coast of Venezuela, South America). The license plates on Aruba have BON BINI on them. English is spoken on the other three islands of the NA: Saba, Statia (St. Eustatius), and Sint Maarten (the Dutch share this island with the French: St. Martin, where French is spoken). Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba (which is technically a independent island, but originally one the NA islands). Papiamentu is a mix of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English, French and some African. The word "papiamentu" comes from the Spanish "papear" which means "to talk".
The first documented letter, written by a Shepardic Jew in the 1700s, was in Spanish and Portuguese. But with people from all over the world living here, speaking many different languages, the need for communication made a mixture of languages like papiamentu, a necessity. As of 1989, it was officially being taught in the schools along with Dutch, English, and Spanish. (We brought home a Papiamentu Language book from
Curacao).
Some other popular phrases:
How do you do?...............Kon ta bai?
I am fine, thank you!........Mi ta bon, danki!
Have a nice day!.............Pasa un bon dia!
You look beautiful...........Bo ta bunita.
I love you...................Mi ta atimabo.
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© 1998-2001 JKH
