A few years ago at a Scout craft session, when I asked a boy to pass me the 'cotta-reel', another leader corrected me by saying, you mean 'cotton reel' and it was only then it dawned on me, that she was correct.
GHUR-MUS-AHA... I was like that when I first arrived in Canada and people would say I am very quiet. I would reply that I learn more by listening, but even though I spoke with many Europeans due to my job in Guyana, I was a bit embarrassed about my accent and the way I pronounced words, to be corrected often.
What is the Guyanese word for a lazy person ?
I used to know it, but forgot, mainly due to decades of isolation from other Guyanese.
I often suggest to couples start living in isolation from others of their own kind, whether Guyanese, Iraqi, Spanish, etc. Possible move and form a network with those of similar culture, especially useful for socializing at an older age.
I get more from GNI about my Guyanese culture, than I get from people living around here. I like writing and speaking Guyanese, but its sometimes challenging while visiting Guyana, where others might imitate my new accent, in a humorous manner.