# data[].attributes.headline
We are an amalgamation of people who are yet to be linked by our hearts.

# data[].attributes.subject
We are an amalgamation of people who are yet to be linked by our hearts.

# data[].attributes.body
Let's find our language

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Nelson Mandela was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary talent for negotiation. He was also an outstanding public speaker. Among the many words of wisdom he left behind, there is this piece of advice for negotiations:

" If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart."

So strongly did Mandela believe this, that he learned Afrikaans during his time imprisoned in Robben Island. The identification between Afrikaans and Apartheid was so strong that many activists were deeply offended when they heard Mandela speaking it to the white warders. But Mandela was right. So much so that his linguistic approach to negotiation might have given him an edge in his initial secret meetings with de Klerk. Mandela might have had a small advantage over his opponent when they negotiated in de Klerk's native language. He unknowingly benefited from The Foreign Language Effect.

Would you make the same decisions in a foreign language as you would in your native one? Keysar, Hayakawa and Sun Gyu from the University of Chicago asked this question, and found out that the answer is "no": our deeply rooted and irrational aversion to loss disappears when a problem is presented in a foreign language; we respond in a cooler, more rational way .

Our decisions are affected by a wide variety of seemingly irrelevant factors. One is our dislike to lose what we have, a dislike so strong that it wins over the pleasure of gaining something we did not have before. The Asian Disease problem illustrates this bias in our decision making. This is the situation we face:

Recently, a dangerous new disease has been going around. Without medicine, 600,000 people will die from it. In order to save these people, two types of medicine are being made.

Here is the problem framed in terms of losses:

If you choose Medicine A, 400,000 people will die. If you choose Medicine B, there is a 33.3% chance that no one will die and a 66.6% chance that 600,000 will die.

And here is the problem framed in terms of gains:

If you choose Medicine A, 200,000 people will be saved. If you choose Medicine B, there is a 33.3% chance that 600,000 people will be saved and a 66.6% chance that no one will be saved.

Which medicine do you choose?

Although the number of certain deaths is the same in both versions of the problem, people take the safer option (medicine A) more often when survivors are mentioned, and they take the riskier option (medicine B) when deaths are mentioned. So, when the same choice between A or B is presented in terms of losses (if you choose A, X people will die) or in terms of gains (if you choose A, X people will live), we are much more likely to choose B in the first case but A in the second .

Keysar and colleagues presented the Asian Problem to three groups of university students: (a) a group of 121 native speakers of English who had Japanese as a foreign language, which they had studied in school for an average of three years; (b) 144 native speakers of Korean who had English as a foreign language, which they had studied in school for about a decade; (c) 103 native speakers of English who were studying in Paris, had French as a foreign language, which they had studied previously in school for about six years. Participants were randomly assigned to either the native- or the foreign language condition, and to either the gain or the loss frame, and their task was to choose between the two medicines.

The results clearly showed the loss aversion effect at play when participants responded in their native language. But surprisingly, when they engaged in their foreign language, the loss aversion effect disappeared, and participants were now equally likely to choose the safer or the riskier option.

The authors interpret this result as evidence that engaging in a foreign language increases psychological distance and promotes deliberation, mostly because of a reduction in emotional resonance. This does not mean that we become more or less risk seekers depending on the language in which the problem is presented, but rather that, whatever our decision, it is more affected by the way the problem is framed when presented in our native language than in a foreign one. That is to say, our emotions are not as strongly tied up in a foreign language, and we can think in a cooler, more detached and logical way.

This original finding has been pursued further by Costa and collaborators in a recent study of about 700 participants who were tested on different types of decision making problems. In the first study, they replicated Keysar et al.'s (2012) results on loss aversion bias. In the other three studies, they explored whether the Foreign Language Effect was limited to emotion-related decision biases. What they found is that the Foreign Language Effect is pervasive in making our decisions less prone to intuitive biases. They also found that this effect only emerges when emotion is a key causal factor in the decision bias. When problems are not emotionally laden, the language effect disappears, which gives support to the idea that the foreign language effect is at least partially due to the emotionality produced by a given problem combined with a weaker emotional resonance of the foreign language.

So back to Mandela, and his negotiations with de Klerk in Afrikaans: Was the Apartheid an emotion laden problem for these two men? Yes, indeed it was, strongly so. And out of the two who was engaging in the cooler, more analytical and rational thinking mood? Mandela was, because he was not talking in his native language. A myriad of other factors at play, no doubt, but Madiba had the Foreign Language Effect on his side.

Itziar Laka graduated in basque philology (UPV/EHU) and received a PhD in linguistics and philosophy from MIT. After five years as assistant professor at the University of Rochester, she is now full professor at the Department of Linguistics and Basque Studies and director of The Bilingual Mind research group at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Her current research combines theoretical linguistics and experimental methods from psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics to inquire into the neural representation and processing of language, with a strong focus on syntax and bilingualism.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mandela was right: the Foreign Language Effect - Mapping Ignorance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Nelson Mandela was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary talent for negotiation. He was also an outstanding public speaker. Among the many words of wisdom he left behind, there is this piece of advice for negotiations: " If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.

# data[].attributes.body
"Tassa drumming is an art form, which is indigenous to this country tradition, showing the rhythms as it was in the beginning. Like so many of the other genres of music, tassa has evolved through the years. Drummers have experimented with several modern rhythms and are now able to bring change to the stage, while it is good to entertain in the chutney, soca and calypso rhythms. Tassa which, together with, pan, parang and rapso, embraces the diverse heritage and mirrors the cultural diversity of this twin-island state."
Continue reading: http://www.discover-tt.net/arts_and_culture/tassa_drumming.html

# data[].attributes.body
We celebrate other religions; Christians, Muslims etc. as well as non-religious festivals. It is shown in the link provided.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
2018 trinidad and tobago public holidays

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
national holidays in trinidad and tobago

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
2018 Trinidad and Tobago Public Holidays, National Holidays

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Trinidad and Tobago observes various public holidays throughout the year. Explore list of public/national holidays in Trinidad and Tobago for 2018.

# data[].attributes.body
“On Thursday 1st August 2013 the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago celebrates Emancipation Day. This is the commemoration of freedom from a life bound by oppression and shackles of forced labour and torture of an African and Creole slave society.”
Read more : https://destinationtrinidad.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/freedom-for-all-emancipation-day/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"On Thursday 1st August 2013 the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago celebrates Emancipation Day. This is the commemoration of freedom from a life bound by oppression and shackles of forced labour and torture of an African and Creole slave society." They came from Yoruba, Hausa, Congo, Ibo, Rada, Mandingo, Kromanti and Temne in Africa.

# data[].attributes.body
We are an amazing society. Our music, dance, cuisine is unique. This is after 4-5 generations. I am now understanding how young we are as a nation and how much the past has influenced our present society. Although we are rich in culture, I feel disjointed because I am part of all these pieces but there is no cohesiveness that identifies me as a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and by extension a Caribbean person. There is a sense that the White man's way of life is superior to my Caribbean lifestyle.
We boast of our cuisine, our music and our festivals but in reality I noted the following the steelpan was not accepted as our national instrument until it was accepted by the rest of the world. Our food import bill is exorbitant although we can grow our own food. There is the perception that agriculture was linked to slavery and indentureship so we have moved away form the land. Our festivals are limited to religion and carnival is now an alcoholic orgy. Our music is hardly played on our media. Our jazz festivals are filled with foreign artists which does not promote our local music. It is noteworthy that our musicians and artists gain international recognition and many work abroad  to earn their living.
In conclusion, FOUN 1101 Caribbean Civilization allowed me to see that we are still living in a plantation society looking down on what is our own and raising up the White man standards. It does not mean that the Whites are still in power but those in power still carry on the plantation tradition.
We have to see ourselves as Caribbean people because we have to realize that we have forged our own identity. Let's embrace the past and build our future. This begins with re-education and focusing on what is important to us in the Caribbean.
Marcus Garvey said " A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."

# data[].attributes.body
The Caribbean region is the descendants of people that were transported by the European during the 17th and 18th century. We can be divided as the French, Spanish and English speaking Caribbean. So culturally we became a mixture of European and our mother country. We were taught that the enslaved persons, i.e. African descent had no cultural identity which we have now learnt is a lie. The indentured labourers were not whisked away from their homeland so were able to bring their tangible  assets that represented their culture. These people were forced to accept the European way of life as the norm and so adopted the language, religion and education of the White. In this portfolio I highlight what is considered our cultural identity using our history, music, dance, festivals, religion and cuisine.
I am of mixed heritage. My father's side is a mixture of Chinese, Amerindian and East Indian. My mother is East Indian. So parts of me can identify this as my cultural identity.

# data[].attributes.body
Shurwayne Winchester- Don't Stop

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Official Music Video for Shurwayne Winchester's Classic Groovy Soca Monarch winning song "Don't Stop" Production Company: Ezone Entertainment & Militainment Ltd Artiste: Shurwayne Winchester Song: Don't Stop Producer: Lisa Wickham Production Coordinator: Sean Hudgkinson Director: S* Felix/Lisa Wickham Editor: S* Felix/D. Philp SWLimited (C) 2007

# data[].attributes.headline
The different traditional dances in the Caribbean. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The different traditional dances in the Caribbean. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National Council of Indian Culture: Rainbow Dance Festival (Trinidad and Tobago)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A few short clips of some of the dances performed in celebration of Trinidad and Tobago's 51st Anniversary of Independence! Featured dances include African, Indian, Chinese, Arabian, and Lebanese. FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/aestheticglory INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/aestheticglory BLOGS: http://www.aestheticglory.blogspot.com http://www.marshaglory.tumblr.com TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/aestheticglory

# data[].attributes.headline
Another Calypso King and master arranger.

# data[].attributes.subject
Another Calypso King and master arranger.

# data[].attributes.body
Kitchener arranging in the pan

# data[].attributes.body
Afro-Caribbean origin that was a means of enslaved communication. In Trinidad and Tobago it evolved into social commentary. There are various other art forms which include ex-tempo.
Our icons have had to work and stay abroad to be able to earn a living from their art form. Here in the Caribbean we import jazz festivals promoting foreign artists to encourage tourism. Showing that we look down on our own culture or we do not attach any economic value.

# data[].attributes.body
The steelpan was invented in Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago. We all know that is made from old oil drums, hammered, heated and tuned by ear.
Traditionally this instrument was associated only with Carnival. In the days that followed Independence, Carnival and all that was associated with the festival was put away as the country started the Lenten season. As a result anything with the pan was forgotten until next carnival. This instrument was even banned in churches. It is only when it gained prominence abroad that we truly appreciate this gift.

# data[].attributes.body
There is still a visible stratification with the celebration of Carnival. Bands like Heart are predominantly white. Island people are the mixture of professionals.

# data[].attributes.body
They celebrate Divali also known as the festival of lights.
(Divali in Trinidad and Tobago is celebrated by both Hindus and non-Hindus alike). A fact is that you must be born a Hindu
*Fun fact: Large amount of the Indian indenture labourers  went to Guyana  and thus, Guyana has a strong Indian heritage.

# data[].attributes.body
We are diverse based on ethnicity and religion which influences our diverse cultures. This plays out as our national festivals and religious observances and make up our rich cultural diversity and our unique language.

# data[].attributes.body
The Caribbean has its own special menus. In the Caribbean,  we have dishes such as doubles, roti, curry, flying fish, pelau, pastelles, arckee, jerk, fish and coucou and many others.
This limited list shows the rich diversity of our cuisine.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Caribbean cuisine is not only colorful but filled with flavors that engage all of your senses.
With travel and migration between the islands a way of life, it has become a bit more of a challenge to define what are indigenous dishes, and with integration comes the blending of old recipes into new ones. How many of these Caribbean national dishes have you experienced?

Antigua and Barbuda - Fungee & Pepperpot
Cornmeal makes an appearance in many national dishes and in Antigua it is in Fungee. Prepared either as a breakfast meal or main entrée, Fungee is cornmeal with okra, cooked in salted water and boiled to a paste. Pepperpot is a combination of a variety of meats, especially salted beef, and pig tail, and includes crushed vegetables such as spinach, eggplant, okra, onions, spices & seasonings, boiled to a soupy finish.

Barbados - CouCou & Flying Fish
Cou cou or coo coo is made with corn meal, flour and okra and is served with vegetables, ground provisions or rice. Flying Fish which is found in abundance around Barbados is added on the side either steamed or fried.

Flying Fish with Cou Cou and Plantain. Photo: © Flickr/Lisa.

Belize - Rice and Beans with Fish Stew
Beans and rice are cooked together with various spices and coconut milk.

Dominican Republic - Sancocho
Pronounced San-co-cho, this soup contains vegetable or ground provisions such as yams, yucca, and potatoes with a variety of meats.

Grenada - Oil Down
This bit of island goodness is made with ground provisions, including breadfruit and served with pig tail, salt beef or your choice of meat.

Guyana - Pepperpot
This spicy dish, differs from greatly from Antigua's version of the meal with the same name. Made with casreep (cassava extract) and beef or choice of meat, it is served with white rice or black eye or split peas.

Haiti - Griots with Rice & Beans
Griots are made by boiling and then frying cubes of pork. Served as a main entrée, it is complimented with rice and peas.

Jamaica - Ackee & Saltfish
Ackee is a pear-sized fruit, when prepared it resembles scrambled eggs. The salt fish is boiled to extract most of the saltiness, then fried up with green peppers, and onions. This dish is served mainly as a breakfast meal and with some breadfruit on the side, it can go a very long way.

Ackee & Saltfish. Photo: ©Flickr/kaydeesquared.

Martinique - Grilled Snapper with Creole Sauce
Made with chiva, onions, parsley, tomatoes, peppers and other spices alongside grilled snapper this dish is a local favourite. It should also be noted, that some other locals believe that Marinated Codfish and Green Bananas is the favoured national dish.

Montserrat - Goat Water
This thick stew made with fresh goat meat is served most often with rolls or white rice. A stable at family celebrations, national functions and in local shops, the rich stew with spices is a hearty meal.

Puerto Rico - Arroz con Gandulez and Pernil
Flaky rice with pigeon peas and pork shoulder.

St Kitts & Nevis - Stewed Salt Fish with Dumplings, Spicy Plantains & Breadfruit
Hearty flavours come together in this meal with stewed salt fish and coconut dumplings served alongside spicy ripe plantains, seasoned breadfruit, boiled in chicken broth.

St Lucia - Green Fig & Saltfish
Green Figs also known as green bananas are boiled or stewed and served with salt fish. This is prepared most often as a breakfast meal.

St Maarten - Conch & Dumplings
Come Carnival season on this Dutch Caribbean island and you will be able to get this hot and spicy dish all around the festival village. The conch is pounded and then pressure cooked with seasonings. The dumplings are prepared with flour, and with or without cornmeal. The thick sauce from the conch and dumplings is used as gravy.

Trinidad & Tobago - Crab & Calaloo
Calaloo is prepared in a blended style that almost resembles the Antiguan pepperpot. The dark green soupy concoction is well seasoned and is a staple of Trinis everywhere.

Like this post?

The following two tabs change content below.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
15 National Dishes of the Caribbean - Caribbean & Co.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Caribbean cuisine is not only colorful but filled with flavors that engage all of your senses. With travel and migration between the islands a way of life, it has become a bit more of a challenge to define what are indigenous dishes, and with integration comes the blending of old recipes into new ones.

# data[].attributes.body
"Becoming acquainted with the history and heritage of the Caribbean goes a long way towards understanding its culture. Each of the Caribbean islands has a unique and distinct cultural identity that was molded by early European colonialists, the African slave trade, as well as indigenous Indian tribes."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
caribbean culture food dance history festival

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Caribbean Culture: Food, Music, Dance, History and Festivals

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learning about caribbean culture. Explore caribbean food, music, dance, history, festivals and more.

# data[].attributes.body
Ever wondered what Carnival was like before. Here shows images of traditional mas also known as "Ole time mas"
After Emancipation, mas was initially to make fun of the white people.

# data[].attributes.body
Machel Montano - Represent
"Love and unity is here" I think this song perfectly captures what carnival is suppose to be. It doesn't matter your race, everyone is able to enjoy themselves.

# data[].attributes.body
Image taken from http://927c7056a6505e51f411252c.gaut33cm2m.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/carnival-flirt-trini-jungle-juice.jpg?x71639

# data[].attributes.body
The Center for Advance Research on Language Acquisition goes a step further, defining culture as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization. Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group.
An example would be Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. Carnival shows the vibrancy of the region, a cultural festival that is celebrated throughout the Caribbean even in Canada, United Kingdom and USA. This festival brings together people of different backgrounds.
Carnival is based on the French celebration and here it was used as a means of expression of subtle rebellion against the slave masters.

# data[].attributes.body
Mighty Sparrow

# data[].attributes.body
Image taken https://neighbourhoodarts.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/steelpan_demo_w_suzette.jpg

# data[].attributes.body
Our music is an array of African, Indian and Indigenous influences.  Our style of music is well known, e.g. Reggae, reggaeton, Soca and Calypso.
Steelpan originated in our very own island, Trinidad and Tobago. The steelpan is now made famous worldwide by other countries and has now gained social prominence.
Tassa originated in Trinidad and Tobago, the drums are widespread in India. The beat represent the soul of our people, particularly Indian descent.

Dance, we have our traditions from the African and Indian continents. The Best Village competition highlights African traditions. The Indian aspect shows two forms, that is, the religious dances and the chutney dancers. We have also embraced traditional European dance e.g. ballet and ballroom dancing. The South American continent introduced us to the Latin dances e.g salsa.
Our people respond to the beats. The blend of the African and East Indian create an unique beat as well as the merging sounds of the different instruments.
However, our media is still predominantly Western music. We are yet to embrace our national identity in dance and music possibly because we see ourselves as either African or Indian or mixed.

# data[].attributes.body
What is an identity? Identity is the characteristics, style or manners that are fundamental to a person and that are recognized.
So what gives us an identity as a Caribbean? Some may say our natural resources but this does not define us. Our history, our rich culture, our music, our food and our festivities.