ST. AUGUSTINE NEWS AUGUSTINE ST.
STAN 2012
THE TIPPING POINT Malcolm Gladwell speaks at UWI graduate school
TAKING DIRECTION Award-winning Film Director Renee Pollonais
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER Research Development Fund brings new opportunities
BREAKING THE SILENCE child sexual abuse www.sta.uwi.edu/stan Campus Correspondents THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES 16 ST. AUGUSTINE CAMPUS Alma Jordan Library Exts. 82336/82337 (STARRS)/3600 (UEC) Ms. Allison Dolland April – June 2012 Alumni Association (T&T Chapter) 751-0741 Mr. Maurice Burke
Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business 662-9894 / 645-6700 Ext. 341 Ms. Adi Montas
Bursary Ext. 83382 Mrs. Renee Sewalia
Campus Bookshop Exts. 83520/83521 Ms. Michelle Dennis
Campus Information Technology Centre (CITS) Ext. 83227 Mr. Nazir Alladin
CARDI 645-1205 Ext. 8251 Anna Walcott-Hardy Mr. Selwyn King Editor CARIRI 662-7161/2 Ms. Irma Burkett
Serah Acham Caribbean Centre for Monetary Studies (CCMS) Ext. 82544 Cristo Adonis Mrs. Kathleen Charles Dr Jo-Anne S. Ferreira Campus Projects Office (CPO) Ext. 82411 Mr. Alfred Reid Stacy Richards-Kennedy Centre for Criminology & Criminal Justice Sylvia Moodie-Kublalsingh Exts. 82019/82020 Mr. Omardath Maharaj 32 Ira Mathur Centre for Gender & Dev. Studies Exts. 83573/83548 Christie Sabga Ms. Donna Drayton
Margaret Walcott Distance Education Centre (UWIDEC) Ext. 82430 Anna Walcott-Hardy Ms. Colleen Johnson Karen Wickham Division of Facilities Management Ext. 82054 Mr. Suresh Maharaj Contributing Writers Engineering Exts. 83073/82170 Dr. Hamid Farabi/Dr. Clement Imbert
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Guild of Students (GOS) 743-2378 Myriam Chancy Mr. Mervin Alwyn Agiste Humanities & Education Exts. 82378/83338 Robyn Cross Mr. Satanand Sharma Abigail Hadeed Mrs. Janet Fullerton-Rawlins Mark Hardy Institute of International Relations (IIR) Ext. 82291 Ms. Tamara Brathwaite Aneel Karim Law School 662-5860 Arthur Sukhbir Mrs. Margaret Adams-Stowe Photographers Medical Sciences Exts. 84614/85219 Dr. Monica Davis
STAN is a publication of Office of the Principal Ext. 83937 The Marketing and Communications Office, Mrs. Elizabeth Nivet-McComie The University of the West Indies, 46 St. Augustine. School of Continuing Studies 645-3127 Mrs. Heather-Dawn Charles For more information Science and Agriculture please contact the Editor, Exts. 83325/83319/83273/83098/83124 Anna Walcott-Hardy Dr. Laura Roberts-Nkrumah / Mr. Cicero Lallo Tel: 662-9387 • 662-2002 Ext. 82013 Dr. Margaret Bernard Fax: 662-3858 Email: [email protected] Seismic Research Unit 662-4659 Ms. Stacey Edwards © 2012. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) Ext. 82306 OF THE PUBLISHER OR AGENT. Dr. Sandra Sookram Visit us online at Social Sciences & Law Exts. 82039/83045 www.sta.uwi.edu/stan Mr. Douglas Mendes /Dr. Nasser Mustapha Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC) Ext. 82307 Mrs. Lystra Francis
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2 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 in this issue...
2 Campus Correspondents On CAMPUS 3 Contents 56 Senior Appointments 4 Editorial: On Being 58 Smart Talk with Relevant and Responsive Gwendolene Roberts 6 Mailbox & Online Poll 60 New Faculties, 8 J’Ouvert: Calendar of Events Expansion & Mergers
COnneCT COnFeRenCe 10 Myriam Chancy 61 Pension Reform – Searching for Safe Spaces – For Richer & For Poorer
UWI PeOPle OUTReACh 16 Taking Direction 62 Breaking the Silence – Renee Pollonais 22 Malcolm Gladwell at UWI hIGh SChOOl DIARy 67 Grande Riviere ReSeARCh Watershed Report (ISPS) 28 Knowledge Transfer: 68 Parvati College RDI Fund Bridges Scholarship Tops RBC Young Leaders. & Development SPORT CAMPUS JOURnAl 70 A Volley in St. Lucia 32 Governor General of Canada Visits UWI QUOTAble QUOTeS 71 Prof. Andrew Lawrence, lAnGUAGe MATTeRS Sir Shridath Ramphal, 36 The Heritage Languages Mr Rahul Bhattacharya of Trinidad and Tobago 22 40 Amerindian Languages in Trinidad and Tobago 46 Spanish in Trinidad and Tobago
FACUlTIeS & APPOInTMenTS 52 New Faculties of Food & Agriculture, Science & Technology
On The COVeR AWARDS Award-winning film-maker and UWI graduate, Renee Pollonais chats with 54 Research Day Winners, UWI STAn about her latest production, Atlantic Sustainability Award, UWI mentors, the challenges of film production and the inspiration she A Visionary Innovator gains from her homeland.
Read more in this issue of UWI STAn. www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 3 [EDITORIAL]
On being… RELEVAnT & RESPOnSIVE Professor Clement Sankat Pro-Vice Chancellor & Campus Principal
for a research, teaching and food security and building national Security, Economic Diversification and learning institution to thrive and remain innovation systems are imperatives for Sector Competitiveness, Finance and relevant to the society it must adapt taking our country and region forward Entrepreneurship, Public Health, and and embrace change. As a result, and we must provide leadership and Technology and Society. We also look at our staff members have met over the direction. I would like to welcome our being responsible in the development past year to map the way ahead and respective Deans and look forward with of our infrastructure, which is an have agreed that we must remain great confidence to the positive impact uphill challenge during these “Mauby focused on being: Responsive, Relevant, these changes will make in advancing Days”, but one we continue to Responsible and look at Repositioning our research in the field. embrace with the support of The UWI, our institution, The University of the regional Governments, the corporate West Indies (UWI). The Faculty of Humanities and community and our alumni. Education at the St Augustine Many of you would have noted that the Campus will also have two new At the recent sod-turning ceremony policies we have designed on paper Departments as a result of the division for the refurbishment of quarters have begun to take shape. In April, the of the Department of Liberal Arts for medical students at the San Annual Business Meeting of the Council into the Department of Modern Fernando General hospital, I felt that of UWI, held at the Mona Campus, languages and linguistics and The the geographical expansion of the St. endorsed strategic decisions taken in Department of literary, Cultural and Augustine Campus is part of a vision February by the University Strategy and Communication Studies. The division to bring tertiary education as close to Planning Committee. One significant had become necessary because of home as possible for students in both change is the decision to re-instate the rapid growth in enrolment in the Trinidad and Tobago. At a cost of $TT the Faculty of Agriculture, which for 14 disciplines of Modern Languages and 2.6 million we will be able to transform years had been merged with the former Communication Studies. the former Bachelors’ Quarters into a Faculty of Natural Sciences to create modern training and accommodation the Faculty of Science and Agriculture Reinvigorating our research agenda facility for our medical students. We at the St Augustine Campus. This and highlighting the impact of our are about ensuring quality teaching Faculty has been amended to create research on society are important and learning as well as creating the two faculties: The Faculty of Food and priority areas that underpin our efforts supporting infrastructure. Wherever Agriculture and the Faculty of Science to enhance the relevance of our work. our students may be, whether at Mt and Technology. The recently launched UWI-Trinidad and Hope, the San Fernando General Tobago Research and Development Hospital, in Tobago, or very soon, at This strategic decision is intended Impact Fund (RDI Fund) will be an the South Campus in Debe, we must to provide sharpened focus and impetus for increased multidisciplinary provide the tools that ensure they have dedicated expertise with the aim of research-directed projects that a world class education. building capacity and strengthening address pressing issues in six thematic research and innovation in areas related areas that are central to national Similarly, the development of our South to science, technology, food and and regional development, namely: Campus is a fundamental part of UWI’s agriculture, sustainable development Climate Change and Environmental regional strategic plan to expand the and the environment. Enhancing our Issues, Crime, Violence and Citizen university so as to better serve its
4 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 UWI Debe/Penal South Campus architectural drawing communities. Approved by the Council and project management expertise, without a doubt, help chart the course of The University of the West Indies, as well as labour, material and other for a more competitive country and the new Campus will be implemented services. Beyond the contribution, region. with the support of the Government of which is significant in itself, we are Trinidad and Tobago. There is no doubt excited about the catalytic role Over the past 60 years, UWI has grown that we need to expand to respond that the South Campus will play in from a college with just 33 students to an increasing demand for higher spurring economic development and to the leading tertiary institution education. The South Campus, with the entrepreneurship in communities in in the English speaking Caribbean flagship Faculty of Law which has been San Fernando, Penal/Debe and its with more than 50,000 students. approved by The UWI as the Campus’ environs. It has been said that over the Our success is due in no small part seventh Faculty, will be a modern, years the St Augustine Campus, in its to the commitment of our staff and environmentally-friendly facility with day-to-day operations, helped to boost innovation of our students. We know a moot court, library, multi-purpose the growth and development of areas that we have a long journey ahead of teaching building, student union in North Trinidad, in particular Mt Hope, us and welcome your feedback, for building, halls of residence as well as Curepe, St. Joseph, St Augustine and as the Governor General of Canada recreational and sporting facilities. The Tunapuna. While this is indeed true, the recently stated in his presentation to second phase of the South Campus will potential of the South Campus goes the Campus Community, “education provide opportunities for commercial far beyond; for by expanding access is the primary means by which we activity and agricultural development, to quality tertiary education to areas can increase our choices and thrive as and these will be announced over the that were previously underserved, the human beings”. next few months. South Campus will have a profound transformative effect on the lives I hope you enjoy this issue of UWI STAN During the construction of the of our citizens, on the pathways for and look forward to your letters, calls immediate first phase of this TT $499 progress of our communities and on and emails. million project, there will be numerous the opportunities available to future benefits to local professionals and generations. By proactively engaging in companies that provide engineering, human capital development, research architectural, mechanical, electrical, and innovation, the South Campus will, www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 5 [MAILBOX]
our sincere Thanks To olympic national athlete and UWI student, Jehue Gordon, for taking time-out from his demanding training schedule and academic studies to speak with us. We appreciate all of your comments, including one reader who added, “Congrats Jehue-good article, enjoyed reading it… I wish him the best of luck in London”. UWI Honorary Graduate, Professor Rambachan’s thoughts on religion and the search for God; Dr. neil Singh’s research on alcohol use on Campus and the progress of the development of an alcohol policy for students; as well as the moving tribute to the legendary UWI lecturer, artist and musician Pat bishop, also gained kudos. We hope you enjoy this issue and
keep sharing your thoughts with us.
UWI FACEBOOK sTan commenTs
DePUTy PRInCIPAl hOnOReD In SOUTh AFRICA “Awesome lecturer.” lisa Morris
“Dr Reddock - an excellent teacher!!!” Annmarie henry
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uwi sTan online poll go online anD voTe now “Do you think The “Do you think equal employment UWI’s five-year strategic 44% opportunities/rights should be NO 56% plan will make a difference YES granted to TT citizens regardless in regional development?” of sexual preference?”
6 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012
[ J’OUVERT ]
Calendar of Events JUne – DeCeMbeR 2012
SAlAlM lVII Conference 7th Caribbean Creative Writers’ 16–19 June, 2012 Residential Workshop hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre 8–19 July, 2012 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago
The Alma Jordan Library hosts the Seminar on the Acquisition The 7th Caribbean Creative Writers’ Residential Workshop of Latin American Library Materials (SALALM) LVII Conference. is sponsored by the Cropper Foundation, and organised This conference follows the theme “Popular Culture: Arts and in partnership with The UWI’s Department of Creative and Social Change in Latin America.” Festival Arts and Department of Liberal Arts. Ten writers who have not as yet published any of their works will be chosen For further information from across the Caribbean to join this year’s residential Please contact Ms Elmelinda Lara, SALALM Conference Coordinator, at 662-2002 Ext. 83414, or workshop which will focus on writing fiction, plays and poetry. via e-mail at [email protected] The workshop will be facilitated by Professor Funso Aiyejina and Dr. Merle Hodge.
5th european Conference For further information of Poeciliid biologists Please contact Ms. Marissa Brooks 662-2002 Ext. 83040, 25–28 June, 2012 or via e-mail at [email protected] Daaga Auditorium UWI, St. Augustine Campus
The Department of Life Sciences hosts the 5th European Conference of Poeciliid Biologists. This conference is held every two years and this year, for the first time since its inception, it will be held outside of Europe. Approximately 100 delegates from USA, Canada, Mexico, South America, Britain, Europe, India and Australia will visit The UWI St. Augustine Campus to attend the conference, scheduled to take place from 8 am-5.30 pm each day.
For further information Please contact Dr Amy Deacon or Professor Indar Ramnarine via e-mail at [email protected]
Professor Funso Aiyejina
8 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 Shifting the Geography of Reason IX 19–21 July, 2012 UWI, St. Augustine Campus
The UWI collaborates with the Caribbean Philosophical Association (CPA) to host the CPA’s 2012 Annual Meeting, themed “Shifting the Geography of Reason IX: Racial Capitalism and the Creole Discourses of Native-, Indo-, Afro-, and Euro- Caribbeans.” Under this broad heading, the CPA will examine UWI Open Campus the impact of the global capitalist crisis on old and new Graduation Ceremony thinking in the Creole discourses of the region. 13 October, 2012
For further information Please contact the Caribbean Philosophical Association UWI Cave hill Campus via e-mail at [email protected] Graduation Ceremony 20 October, 2012 Teaching begins 3 September, 2012 UWI St. Augustine Campus Graduation Ceremony 25–27 October, 2012 In The Fires of hope: 50 years of Independence In Trinidad And Tobago UWI SPeC International half-Marathon 13–15 September 2012 28 October, 2012 UWI, St. Augustine Campus
In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Independence UWI Mona Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, the Department of History at The Graduation Ceremony University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus will be 2–3 november, 2012 organizing a yearlong series of activities culminating in a 3-day international conference. This conference is designed Teaching ends to investigate all facets of the theme of Independence with 30 november, 2012 emphasis on Trinidad and Tobago. It aims to generate new discussion on the changing realities of independent societies by gathering thinkers and academics involved in examining examinations begin the economic, political, historical, literary and social aspects of 5 December, 2012 independence. examinations end 21 December, 2012
QUeSTIOnS or COMMenTS? Contact us at Tel: (868) 662-9387 • Fax: (868) 662-3858 Email: [email protected] or visit us online at www.sta.uwi.edu/stan
www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 9 [ CONNECT ]
Myriam Chancy SEARCHING for SAFE SPACES
haiTian Born auThor Myriam Shortlisted for Best First Book, Canada/ Chancy, a professor at the University Caribbean region category, of the of Cincinnati in Ohio, is the author of Commonwealth Prize in 2004 for her first several books of seminal Caribbean novel, Spirit of Haiti (London: Mango academic works including Framing Publications, 2003), she published a Silence: Revolutionary Novels by second novel, The Scorpion’s Claw (Peepal Haitian Women (Rutgers UP, 1997) Tree Press, 2005) to critical praise; her third and Searching for Safe Spaces: novel, The Loneliness of Angels (Peepal Afro-Caribbean Women Writers in Tree Press, 2010), was long-listed for Exile (Temple UP, 1997) giving Haitian the 2011 OCM Bocas Prize in Caribbean women writers in particular a powerful Literature, shortlisted in its fiction collective voice and prominent place in category, and awarded the inaugural literature. Guyana Prize in Literature Caribbean Award for Best Fiction 2010. The author is Her third academic book, From a descendant of Toussaint l’Ouverture by Sugar to Revolution: Women’s Visions way of his older sister, Genevieve Affiba. of Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, recently published by Wilfrid Professor Chancy was the Writer-in- Laurier University Press, closes a trilogy Residence at the Faculty of Humanities on Caribbean women’s literature. and Education at The UWI St. Augustine Campus for April 2012; she also took Also a fiction writer with a keen sense of part in the NGC Bocas Literary Festival Caribbean aesthetics, Chancy’s novels that same month. Ira Mathur caught explore the themes of history, class, up with the author one evening on the gender, mysticism and sexuality in the balcony of the Trinidad Hilton Hotel and context of Haitian culture both in Haiti was rewarded with Chancy’s insight on and its Diasporas. women’s writing in the Caribbean.
10 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 Toussaint L’Ouverture [ CONNECT ]
Tell me about yourself, My parents moved us to Canada at play at her house, and her mother, who your early influences. some point but we went back to Haiti was sunbathing at the time, would so often that I felt that Canada was not let me enter their house. The irony I’m Haitian, born in Haiti, raised between where I went to school but Haiti was was that she told me that she was Francophone and Anglophone Canada. where I lived; it was home. I didn’t have sunbathing to look brown like me My parents met in Paris, returned to a concept of being part of a Diaspora; but I wasn’t allowed to come into the Haiti where I was born, shuttled back that concept didn’t exist when I was house because I was already brown. and forth between Quebec and Port- born. We were considered “exiles”, Needless to say that I didn’t continue to au-Prince and eventually migrated to Haitians living outside of our home for be friends with that child. I wrote and Winnipeg. I have an older brother. economic or political reasons. published a poem on that experience in my early twenties entitled ‘Je suis un I was born when Jean-Claude Duvalier, negre/I am a negro.’ or “Bébé Doc/Baby Doc” succeeded his What was living in Canada like? Did you have experiences with father, François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, as racism? Because my family in Haiti was very the ruler of Haiti. Neither of my parents’ multi-cultural, I was more aware of families were involved in politics. They It was difficult in Winnipeg where we likeness than difference. My father survived by being hermetic, which lived. Its rugged landscape felt alien. is a dark skinned Haitian and my meant I had a protected, idyllic early There were very few Francophones mother so light that she is taken childhood. I have vivid memories of my of African descent so I quickly lost my for white in Canada. I had access to childhood in Haiti, as the child of older accent to fit in. Prior to that, in Quebec, grandparents and a great-grandmother parents, and a large extended family. I experienced racism for the first time. who deepened my understanding of My father was a Haitian folk singer I remember being four or five years Haitian culture. I took this depth of and musician, trained in the seminary old; I was friends with the next door understanding, awareness and history and the house was filled with music. I neighbour’s child and we wanted to of possibility to North American society associated walking through the door which gave me the confidence to of my paternal grandmother’s home confront this new culture, question and in Haiti with the aroma of cooking, challenge it. which had less to do with food itself and more with a sense of the richness and warmth of a large extended family, When did you start writing? a richness in generosity of spirit, and I started writing at seven. When my traditions. work was put so high on a wall that I realized it was meant for adults, In the background was the constant I realized that literature could be presence of the landscape, of ocean on powerful. one side and mountains on the other, features to which I gravitate. Beaches were open spaces to mix with the people, the fishermen, the sand a dark black which scalded our feet.
12 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 Myriam Chancy [ CONNECT ]
your books of literary criticism What was the focus of your work? Framing Silence: Revolutionary Novels by Haitian Women and When I started studying Anglophone Searching for Safe Spaces: Afro- Caribbean Women Writers in Caribbean women writers I began Exile, have given haitian women looking for connections with Haitian writers a powerful literary women writers which led to my collective voice. What inspired you to write these books? writing Framing Silence. I discovered that most people are not familiar I did my BA in English and Philosophy with Haitian women writers who in at University of Manitoba, MA in began publishing at the end of the US Literature from Dalhousie University occupation in Haiti which coincided and Ph. D. in English at the University of with the political movement in the Iowa where I switched from American 20th Century. Haitian women, for literature to Caribbean literature after patriarchal reasons worked within my comprehensive exams, which was a cloak of silence. I traced the arc of fortuitous as it marked the beginning their work as a tradition starting under of my work on Caribbean women the U.S. Occupation of 1915-1934, writers in exile. I saw there was a gap through to the years of the Duvalier of Caribbean women’s realities and regime (1957-1986), when there was a focussed my first book on less known repression of feminists, when women’s Caribbean writers such as Dionne groups went underground, through Brand, a poet filmmaker and novelist to the emergence of Haitian women’s from Trinidad, as well as M. Nourbese literature in English produced in the Philip (also from T&T), Michelle Cliffe, early 1990s in the US. I deliberately Marie Chauvet, and others, and wrote chose empowering representations about them in Searching for Safe Spaces. www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 13 [ CONNECT ]
of Haitian women, produced by edwidge Danticat Haitian women writers, including Ghislaine Charlier, Marie Chauvet, Jan J. Dominique, nadine Magloire, edwidge Danticat and Anne-Chrisine D’Adesky.
What themes emerged from your research on women writers in the Caribbean?
In earlier periods if Caribbean women writers were writing a story peculiar to Jamaica, Haiti or Trinidad it could have been interchanged in terms of universal social themes across the Caribbean. These hinged mostly on human rights including equity, freedoms, children’s rights, exploitation, sexuality, and class considerations between upper middle recruited women from the Caribbean “As Caribbean people to live in Canadian homes as domestics and lower classes and the disparity of become prominent and privileges and varying levels of poverty in the mid-twentieth century. They that involves. didn’t have many rights. They had to successful we need to be unmarried, childless and initially remember where we came These themes were explored in varying not allowed to become naturalised degrees by Caribbean women writers in citizens. They broke the rules, of course. from and be careful that we And often they were not paid a proper their places of origin in the Caribbean don’t subdivide according as well as the societies to which they wage, were subject to sexual and other emigrated. abuse, and were exploited. The special to privilege, education, case of seven Jamaican women who and class, and speak to the What was the prominent refused to be deported in the ‘70s experience of Caribbean women exposed the scheme and Caribbean realities of one another’s in the Diaspora? women writers such as Makeda Silvera recorded the oral histories of these lives.” The most powerful of these was women. how these women are treated in the European and North American They raised the consciousness about metropoles. For instance, in Searching the exploitation of Caribbean women. for Safe Spaces I look at the experience In the Caribbean context if somebody of Caribbean women in Canada. went abroad it was assumed they were Many writers, poets, filmmakers wrote doing well in North America but those extensively on the effects of the who emigrated hid their struggles “Domestic Workers Scheme” which
14 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 [ CONNECT ]
partially due to pride and because they but the Caribbean people are how has this generational shift needed to send money home and coming into their own now? affected writing by women writers of Caribbean origin? needed to stay there. Yes. The Caribbean Diaspora is now Now many more women are writing in massive, part of large Diaspora the Diaspora, there is a greater avenue Migration was tough in Canada but communities from all over the world. for publishing their work, the focus worse in America. Between the fifties New emigrants are settling into solid has shifted from a Caribbean reality to and seventies, immigrants in America communities, similar as first, second their Caribbean American identities. especially lower class women didn’t and now third generation Caribbean So the audience has shifted. The earlier have much access to health care, and Diasporic people have risen in terms wave of aesthetic and creative work education and were easily exploited as of class, and position. The office of was marked by political urgency. The a result. the last Governor General in Canada style today is more consistent with was held by Michaelle Jean, a Haitian the mainstream American writer. The how were Caribbean women born woman who rose to hold one perplexing question that now remains treated in America as opposed to of the highest offices in Canada. As is ‘to what extent are we still adhering the more multicultural Canadian experience? Caribbean people become prominent to our particular cultural forms in our and successful we need to remember writing?’ Caribbean writers are now Canada was different, a mosaic of where we came from and be careful grappling with this, knowing how vital cultures. Everyone had another that we don’t subdivide according to it is to maintain authentically Caribbean first language that was not English. privilege, education, and class, and voices. American history was still unreconciled speak to the realities of one another’s to slavery. There was more overt racism lives. We have to remain conscious that Ira Mathur is in the US and that hadn’t changed many Caribbean people remain part an Indian born when I got there to study in 1990. In the of poor classes; they are struggling, multimedia Caribbean freelance journalist/ US, people tend to be judged on the experiencing racism, classism, and broadcaster/ documentary visual. Because I am from somewhere sexism in various communities. producer/anchor who else, twice displaced, it affected me on has worked in radio, television and print in a daily basis as an adult. In the market Trinidad, West Indies. place, in academia professionally one continuously has to demonstrate one’s legitimacy in academic and creative work. It may have to do with particular institutions but it’s actually the resistance to ethnic plurality.
www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 15 [UWI PEOPLE]
TAKING DIRECTION UWI film director/writer Renee Pollonais talks about her latest venture, past productions including “The Power of the Vagina” and the future of film in the Caribbean with Serah Acham.
On MARCh 31ST 2012, UWI students and staff took to the SAC greens, equipped with blankets, beach towels and chairs, for an evening of movies. For the first time UWI hosted one of bpTT’s Community CINErgy film screenings, a collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) which endeavours to highlight the talents of Caribbean filmmakers and bring their work to the public. One of the films featured that evening was Renee Pollonais’ Directions which, according to Dr. Christopher Meir, lecturer and Coordinator for the Film Studies section, was chosen “to show-off one of the most promising talents from the Film Programme, using one of the funniest and most interesting films that our students have thus far produced.”
16 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 Renee Pollonais [UWI PEOPLE]
have you ever Been losT? Renee was a student of The UWI’s Film Imagine this scenario. You’re on your way programme in 2007. In one of her classes, somewhere and know you’re in the right she was given an assignment which offered area, but not much beyond that. So you the freedom to “just do anything.” Also a do what most would, flag down the next communications student at the time, she person you see and ask for directions. found herself intrigued by “Trinidadians… There’s someone nearby, so you decide to we have a particular way we speak … like approach him and ask if he knows where the when we say ‘go straight up the road and place you’re going is and how you can get as you turn’ and don’t say left or right.” So there. He contemplates a bit and luckily, yes, for her assignment, she chose to create a he does. Great. At the end of his recitation, documentary on this phenomenon. “We featuring “go straight up,” “turn by the” and just do things so differently,” Renee says. “I “right down the road”, you discover that figured, why not try a little test and see how there’s a problem. He really doesn’t. His well we do.” interpretation of the phrase “right there” is more than a little skewed. You’ve been Along with three of her classmates, she set driving for twenty minutes and are still lost. off on an excursion through Port-of-Spain seeking people willing to give her directions “Trinidadians are notorious for these specific to Green Corner. While it’s doubtful they directions that get you slightly lost,” says ever made it to their destination, Renee Renee Pollonais about her award winning says that they did have a lot of fun trying film, Directions. to get there. They interviewed more than
Scene from Quiet Desperation
18 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 one hundred people with quite a few characters mixed in: from the camera- shy, to the camera-smitten, to “those who decided that it’s now a platform to air all their political issues,” the filmmakers encountered it all.
“One of the most interesting things is always fighting-off people,” she says. “Once they see a camera they think TV station, so you really have to fight people from grabbing (microphones) whilst you’re interviewing, or suddenly jumping into your frame because they feel they have something to say.”
The verdict? She doesn’t hesitate. “Trinidadians are not particularly they don’t say with regard to giving thing.” So when she was offered both specific and it is true that most of the directions.” jobs, it wasn’t difficult to choose. time if they really don’t know, they try anyway.” They’d definitely get an A for Directions was entered into the Trinidad “I started-off at AVM when they first effort, she concludes, “but certainly an F and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) in opened up,” she says. “They had invited for just bad directions.” 2008 and won the People’s Choice people to come in as trainees so I Award. Being a UWI student, her film learned how to do camera work, editing, However, one interviewee, very was submitted automatically. She had everything.” She worked at AVM, under adamantly begs to differ. According no expectations, however, and admits the station’s owner/manager Dale to him, ask a Trinidadian for directions that “I didn’t even know there was a Kolasingh, for a little less than a year and you’ll never get lost. “We is prize giving ceremony.” That is, until before moving to TV6 and spending 11 Trinidadians!” he justifies. “All ah we she received a telephone call from years at the network. know directions.” Annabelle Alcazar, Director of the TTFF, one day, inviting her to the ceremony. “I was in TV for a long time,” Renee “Yeah, that guy,” Renee says. Before reflects. She “did just about everything” heading into Port-of-Spain, the film Directions was her first film. Although throughout her career. In fact, “that’s crew went to various locations around she had 17 years of camera work under where all my training came from,” she Trinidad and asked the question, her belt before beginning a BA at says. “I started off as a camera person and ‘how well do you think Trinidadians UWI, this “was the first thing that was then I moved into graphics, then editing give directions?’ They found him in specifically mine … it was actually and then I hosted stuff.” She’s also worked Tunapuna. He was so interesting and something that I directed myself.” with “all types of people,” she continues. his responses so unique, that he just couldn’t be left out of the documentary. Renee’s career behind the camera Yet, she found that television in Trinidad began around 1990 when she applied didn’t offer much opportunity for “It was very funny,” she says of the for a job at AVM, one of Trinidad and diversity. It’s “not really the place to do the whole experience. “Some people Tobago’s TV stations at the time. “It things that you’d want to do, whether it’s were very helpful … I think it was a was either being an airhostess (she had documentary or drama.” So when she saw challenge for them and they were also applied for a job at BWIA) or doing that UWI was offering a BA degree in film, actually interested in the fact that they TV and I couldn’t see myself walking she decided that it was time to branch didn’t know themselves and how much around in heels all day. Just not my out. She had always wanted to study film
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that one on the street was a trip.” While they wanted to focus on the opinions of the average person, they also spoke with academics, including Dr. Gabrielle Hosein, a lecturer at UWI’s Institute for Gender and Development Studies, and radio 103’s sex therapist, Dr. Maraj. It was a subject that generated much debate, and “by the end of it people are talking quite a bit or quarreling.” The Power of the Vagina “was pretty well received,” she says. “We got an honorable mention in the (Trinidad and Tobago) Film Festival and it got nominated for best documentary in London, at the Portobello Film Festival.”
Scene from Sweet Fries next came Sweet Fries, a short comedy about customer service in Trinidad, “which I have a lot of problems with,” – she was especially intrigued by the She goes on to explain that “yes, it’s Renee declares. Numerous encounters storytelling aspect of it – and “I thought entertainment,” and people go to with rude servers, led her to the it would be a good addition to my the movies to see a story unfold in conclusion that “we’re not the best portfolio,” she says. front of them, “but there are so many in service.” So, she took some of her other things that are involved with bad experiences, threw them into one She applied and was accepted into making that story become what it script, recruited a few of UWI’s drama UWI’s BA in Film Programme in 2007. is.” She cites the aspect of sound, for students and developed a parody. Since she had a “good foundation” in example. not the technical side of it, the technical side of film, “because I had “but understanding what sound does,” “People really related to that one,” she been doing a good level of television so that it can be incorporated into the explained, because they’ve all been work for a long time,” she found that film. “Rather than just go out and shoot through it. “From the situation where the programme’s strength lay in its anything,” she continues, “you do things you pull out a hundred, you done order theory and, for this she credits Dr. Meir. with a specific end in mind.” your stuff, and they have no change for that or you order everything and you “I have to say that Dr. Chris Meir helped While at UWI, Renee produced more pull out your card and all of a sudden a lot ... his addition was very, very than one award winning film. After the LINX machine is not working and helpful and necessary,” she affirms. Directions, she worked with another they could have told you that from way He filled in “a lot of the blank spots,” student on The Power of the Vagina, a back when, (to) the people dancing in not only in the history of film, but in documentary about women and their the background, or who’s not paying other elements that “create a greater sexuality, from “the whole concept that attention or who’s not doing the work.” awareness,” within the viewer of what’s a woman could withhold sex and she That’s basically what Sweet Fries is really happening on screen. could get her rent paid and that kind of about, she says, “one man just trying to thing,” to how, “because of that, men get lunch and it gets crazy.” have marginalized women in society.” It was fun to film she says, “because the topic alone – doing interviews with
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She entered Sweet Fries into the TTFF “You have to stage everything and then Renee adds that, despite all the trials last year and it won the dual awards for of course you have to kind of corral a of her experience on and off the set, “I Best Local Short and Best Actress. series of people together to get the think I’ll do it again…because you have thing done, so that was tough.” to really love it. If you don’t love it, you Renee’s films tend to focus primarily will not do it. You will run very far away on people and the way they interact. There were “a lot of very frustrating from it.” The pay off, she concludes, “I enjoy the psychology of the human days … quarreling with people, cuss is seeing people enjoy her films and being,” and creating “stories that show outs, crying, near death experiences,” watching her ideas come to life. the inner workings of somebody’s brain she says, recalling times when she was or the things that take you to certain almost hit by the car seen throughout “I think that process is hard to describe places, (make you) decide to do what most of the film. “We had some issues but it’s a wondrous kind of thing.” you do,” she says, citing another of her with the actor getting accustomed films, Quiet Desperation. to the car,” which was an automatic, and he was accustomed to driving a Serah Acham is a writer and She did this one for her capstone manual. Fortunately, the car issues were member of project, she said. It’s a half hour long fixed and the actor emerged, not just staff at the UWI Marketing & drama about an old couple who have with his life, but also with an award Communications been married for so long that “they’re for Best Actor. Quiet Desperation was Department. at a point where there’s so much submitted into the 2009 TTFF and also familiarity that it’s a kind of hatred.” won a Best Actress award. Based on a quote by David Thoreau, “the massive men lead lives of quiet desperation,” the film focuses on “I enjoy the psychology of the human being,” societal expectations as well as cultural and creating “stories that show the inner traditions and “discusses people who get caught-up in everyday life and … in workings of somebody’s brain or the things the things that you’re supposed to do,” that take you to certain places, (make you) like getting married and having children before a certain age. decide to do what you do”
“The specific things that you trap yourself into and really and truly you Scene from Directions may just want to live your life freely. A lot of people get trapped into that way of thinking and then later on there’s regret.”
Brimming with tension, Quiet Desperation is the longest and most challenging piece she’s done thus far. Filming a narrative feature is very different from a documentary, she explains.
www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 21 The Tipping Point Malcolm Gladwell at UWI
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You can love him. You can hate him. But you can’t ignore him.
here in porT of spain in April 2012, Malcolm Gladwell, at the invitation of the Arthur lok Jack Graduate School of business, UWI, the 49-year-old Canadian journalist, one of Time Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’, Newsweek’s ‘top ten new thought leaders of the decade’ and author of four bestselling books (Blink, The Tipping Point, Outliers and What the Dog Saw) unwittingly (or perhaps in a cunningly obtuse manner) forced us to look at our mirror critically.
UWI STAn is pleased to feature this interview by Ira Mathur with Malcolm Gladwell. Special thanks to The Trinidad Guardian.
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What was the essence of your were diagnosed with dyslexia. This is lecture “What Makes the Great not a coincidence. There is a direct Ones Great”? connection between disability and success because you are forced to I touched on four lessons. The first overcompensate. You’re six years old. one is how much work is necessary to You show up in school. You’re dyslexic. achieve something. Effort plays a much What does it mean? Many fail. Prisons larger role than raw talent in achieving worldwide are filled with people who success. I spoke of the 10,000 hour rule have an astonishingly high rate of - the notion that you have to practice learning disabilities – people forced “The theme that for ten years before you can get good at into an unsavoury alternative out of the runs through anything. For example no one becomes mainstream. But the small group that successful a grand master at chess until they finds something powerful and useful people is a need had been playing for at least 10,000 in adversity does exceptionally well. hours or ten years. Mozart was a late So you’re in a learning institution and to experiment, bloomer not a prodigy. His childhood can’t read or write. You’re in one jam to try one thing compositions were terrible, but ten after next. What do you do? You learn to after another, to years on they were seen as genius. communicate, talk your way out of tight spots. You find out how to be a leader. iterate, to fail and bill Gates began programming when You put together a team of people start over again.” he was 13 when he had access to a main frame computer. He did nothing but programme until he founded Microsoft. Name another teenager who is willing to crawl out of bed, walk in the rain and programme from two in the morning to six in the evening. He got to programme around the clock so he mastered it over ten years. It’s simple. Nothing happens without that amount of dedication and hard work.
Secondly, I made a point about compensation. The idea that the very successful are not those who have capitalised on their strengths, but have compensated for their weaknesses.
A recent study showed that one third of successful American entrepreneurs Executive Director, ALJGSB, Miguel Carillo with Malcolm Gladwell.
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to do your work for you. In 15 years you’ve learned all the skills you need to succeed. Richard branson couldn’t read. People who succeed adapt to adversity. It’s not about what went smoothly. It’s about the adversity you overcame.
The third is the idea of experimentation. The theme that runs through successful people is a need to experiment, to try one thing after another, to iterate, to fail and start over again. Take the hugely successful band of the sixties and seventies, Fleetwood Mac, who produced four US Top Ten singles. Their 1977 Rumours album stayed at No 1 on the American albums charts for 31 weeks, selling 40 million copies, making it the eighth highest selling album of all time. They never stopped trying to figure out what music they wanted ways to link them is they are all born In Outliers you say IQ only plays to play. They tried everything from in the same year - 1955. If you were a tiny role in success. A person progressive music to calypso. Much of born in 55 it means you were 21 years with an IQ of 130 has the the early stuff was bad. After ten years old in 1976, the year the personal same chance of winning the of experimenting they discovered the computer was born. They came of age nobel Prize as the person with California sound for which they became at precisely at the same moment as this 180. Apart from your 10,000 famous. new technology burst on the scene. hour rule what role does a Had they been born a little bit earlier community and family play in The last thing is luck: how constant the they would have already been hired by success? presence of luck is in the lives of the IBM or a member of the old guard and successful and how good they tend never had chance to explore this new IQ is a small part of success. We’ve to be at identifying and exploiting technology. If they had been born later, seen how much success runs in opportunities. Bill Gates was lucky. He they would have been too young. They communities. Trinidad is a beautiful found the only computer at the health would have missed the first wave. They example of that with the extraordinary care centre in Washington when he were brilliant, creative, extraordinary success of relatively small ethnic groups. was 16. Take the three crucial figures people but incredibly lucky in that The Syrian Lebanese, the Indians, the in history of the Silicon Valley and they came along at precisely the Chinese, throughout the Caribbean the computer revolution, Bill Gates of right moment. We stress individual are example of that. You’ve seen Microsoft, bill Joy, the most important contributions and we forget that when these immigrant groups come in, in computer programmer, and Steve you were born and what your family relatively small numbers and perform Jobs of Apple. One of the simplest was like make a big difference. www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 25 [UWI PEOPLE]
at a level that seems out of proportion to their size. Our family situates us to take advantage of opportunities in a crucial way. I talk in Outliers of certain parenting styles that engage the child from an early age, encourage them to ask something of the world, to contribute to the world, to vocalise their needs and communicate with people who are older and senior. Success in the modern workplace emerges out of notions of family which ennobles
and strengthens people. If family Yesu Persad, Arlene Lyons, Dominic Hadeed, Suzan Lakhan-Baptiste and guest outlier Machel Montano were the Caribbean Outliers at the DLIC 2012 support is lacking you are at a serious disadvantage. eradicate from a country’s make-up. What do you say to your Combine that with the second factor. critics who accuse you of T&T has joined Jamaica with The West Indies has suffered the loss ‘pop economics’, of over the dubious distinction of of a significant proportion of its middle simplifying problems, of having among the highest class population to migration. The ‘wrapping up problems in tidy murder rates in a non-warring people who have left are precisely pseudo-sounding scientific country. you are part Jamaican. those who give a country’s culture explanations’? you study societies. Why its foundation. My mother grew up do you think our Caribbean in an educated middle class family in I don’t think of any of those things islands are so dogged by Jamaica. She went as a scholarship as criticisms at all. They are profound serious crime? student to a boarding school in the compliments. I am very grateful for north coast of Jamaica. When she them. My job, my role always has I could talk about this for hours but will had her 40-year reunion, she had it in been to serve as a bridge between the restrict it to two points. Toronto, because all her classmates academic world and the rest of us. I am now live there and not in Jamaica. The a translator and simplifier of complex You have a confluence of two factors. kind of people who went to her school ideas. If you would like an idea to reach One historical and the other more were the bedrock of a society, those beyond a narrow group of experts it has recent one, of middle class migration. who make a country prosperous and to be simplified. There is no way around Any culture that has a legacy of slavery stable, set an example to others and that. In the process of simplification has problems with social dysfunction help create institutions. They all packed some nuance and subtlety is lost. There – you see that in the African-American up and left. That happened throughout is no way around that. To the charge community in the US, you see that in the Caribbean. It takes time to replace that I have simplified ideas I plead the Arab world. It is not a trivial thing to those people. Hopefully some will guilty, happily and joyfully because they to recover from that curse of slavery. return. I’ve listed two in what could be have reached many more people than It’s something that lingers for centuries, a checklist of ten items. they would have otherwise and to my and takes an awfully long time to mind that’s an accomplishment.
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Knowledge Transfer RDI Fund bridges scholarship & development
28 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 [RESEARCH] in novemBer 2011, The UWI St. reinvigorate the Campus’ research “As the University Augustine Campus made an important agenda being advanced under the step forward in its efforts to enhance leadership of the Campus Principal embarks upon its the relevance and impact of its research. and Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor new UWI Strategic A new framework was established for Clement Sankat, with the support of national research funding allocated the Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Plan 2012-2017, to the Campus by the Government of Professor Wayne hunte, the Campus the St. Augustine Trinidad and Tobago, creating the UWI- Coordinator for Graduate Studies Trinidad and Tobago Research and and Research, Professor Patricia Campus is forging Development Impact Fund (RDI Fund). Mohammed, Dr. David Rampersad, ahead with these Director of the Office for Research Cognizant that when it comes to Development and Knowledge Transfer and other initiatives effective research development, and Mrs. Stacy Richards-Kennedy, to showcase focus is just as important as funding, Senior Programme Manager, Office of the Campus Principal, Professor the Campus Principal. outstanding Clement Sankat convened a meeting researchers and of active researchers from across the In this new approach, research-directed Campus’ Faculties, research institutes, action to address critical development increase the Campus’ centres and units and included issues is being placed at the forefront. research intensity external stakeholders from the public and private sectors, with the “Our stakeholders want to know how and impact.” aim of building consensus on a few our research is benefitting them,” multi-disciplinary priority thematic Campus Principal Clement Sankat areas for the RDI Fund. Emerging explained recently. “For many years, from this were six thematic areas: The UWI has been carrying out climate change and environmental very important research in a range issues, crime, violence and citizen of disciplines. But given today’s security, economic diversification environment with rapid technological and sector competitiveness, finance advancements, open access to and entrepreneurship, public health, information and knowledge transfer, and technology and society. Project and competition by other higher proposals addressing pressing societal education right at our doorsteps, we issues linked to these thematic areas must take the lead and demonstrate are now eligible for up to TT$2million in more clearly the value and impact of research funding from the RDI Fund. the research conducted in our libraries, our labs, our centres and institutes This targeted approach seeks to build and ensure that these are well known a critical mass of research in multi- beyond our Campus Community.” disciplinary niches with the aim of producing substantive impact in the It is expected, that from the short and medium term. It is part conceptualization and methodological of a broader strategic initiative to design stage, projects would be www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 29 [RESEARCH]
emphasis on these issues and ensure linkages between research, impact, RDI Fund Quick facts sensitization and knowledge transfer. • Maximum funding per proposal: TT$2 million The underlying rationale is to enhance • Maximum project execution the development effectiveness of our time: 36 months research and to strengthen the nexus • Project should be led by a full-time academic between scholarship and development staff member at UWI impact,” Richards-Kennedy added. St. Augustine, be multi- disciplinary and include collaboration with other UWI “The technical evaluation and selection Campuses, UWI PhD students process is highly competitive based and/or post doctoral fellows. Professor Patricia Mohammed, Campus Co-ordinator of The School for on a clear set of criteria and as projects The RDI Fund’s 6 priority Graduate Studies and Research are executed, there will be significant thematic areas 1. Climate Change and developed using a multi-pronged emphasis on monitoring, reporting, Environmental issues approach that focuses on conducting information dissemination and 2. Crime, Violence and Citizen research, producing outputs that evaluation, to complete the full grant Security 3. Economic diversification and are measurable and impacting and management cycle. In so doing, The Sector competitiveness ensuring that research application, UWI and our external stakeholders will 4. Finance and knowledge transfer, and stakeholder be able to derive maximum benefits Entrepreneurship 5. Public Health sensitization are incorporated. from our investment in research.” 6. Technology and Society: Enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and Social “The templates for the Concept Notes The RDI Fund issued its first Call for well being and Project Proposals have been Proposals in March 2012 and received designed in such a way that researchers an overwhelming response, with over are encouraged to place sufficient 35 Concept notes submitted and a
Mrs. Stacy Richards-Kennedy, Senior Programme Manager, “The RDI Fund issued its Office of the Campus Principal first Call for Proposals in March 2012 and received an overwhelming response, with over 35 Concept Notes submitted and a total funding request of more than TT$50 million.”
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The RDI Fund Technical Evaluation Committee: Back row (left to right): Stacy Richards-Kennedy, PVC Wayne Hunte, Professor Clement Sankat (Chair), Professor Ken Ramchand, Karisse Jackman (RDI Fund Secretariat), Khellon Roach (RDI Fund Secretariat). Front row (left to right): Carla Dubé, Dr. Rohit Doon, Maureen Manchook, Professor Dyer Narinesingh. Absent: Professor Patricia Mohammed and Dr. David Rampersad
since endorsed 11 projects in principle the convergence of our UWI research covering five thematic areas and will capacity, facilities, financial and be interviewing the leaders of the management resources. respective research teams as part of the approval process for the development “The investment is significant and of a final portfolio of projects. expectations are high, so we are working towards having an impressive As the University embarks upon its slate of research projects and being new UWI Strategic Plan 2012-2017, able to share with our wider Campus the St. Augustine Campus is forging community the valuable contributions ahead with these and other initiatives being made by our UWI researchers to
Dr. David Rampersad, to showcase outstanding researchers our society, and to Trinidad and Tobago Director of the Office for Research Development and Knowledge Transfer and increase the Campus’ research and the region.” intensity and impact. In today’s total funding request of more than competitive higher education context, TT$50 million. The Technical Evaluation it is critical that The UWI reaffirm its Committee, chaired by the Campus position at the centre of national Principal and comprising senior UWI and regional development. The staff members as well as representatives RDI Fund is a mechanism that will of the public and private sectors, has support this mandate by facilitating
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Governor General of Canada VISITS UWI
“welcome home,” Campus Principal Additionally, UWI has over 30 Clement Sankat opened his address agreements with Canadian Higher with a cordiality that underscored Education Institutions (HEIs). In fact, the the historic bilateral commitment Campus is in the process of refurbishing to education between Canada and the dormitory, Canada Hall, which was Trinidad and Tobago. The welcome was built in 1960 - a gift from the Canadian for the Governor General of Canada, Government. The Principal, a graduate his excellency, the Right honorable of UWI who also received a Canadian David Johnston and his delegation, International Development Agency at a ceremony held at the Daaga scholarship (CIDA) for PhD studies at the Auditorium, St. Augustine, Trinidad on University of Guelph, Canada, recalled the 2nd of May. his days living at Canada Hall as a UWI student and the opportunities this For decades UWI has had strong ties brought to meet and live with students with Canada and its higher education from across the Caribbean. institutions. In the past five years the regional University welcomed over 130 Before introducing the feature speaker, Canadian exchange students, while whose State Visit was welcomed
Governor General of Canada, 160 students and staff of The UWI nation-wide, Professor Sankat went on His Excellency, The Right benefitted from exchange scholarships. to name several current partnerships Honorable David Johnson addresses the audience
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including a joint research initiative with McGill University and UWI, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) focused on “Improving the Nutrition and Health of CARICOM populations”.
Having served at the highest level at several leading institutions including Queen’s University, the University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, McGill University and the University of Waterloo, the Governor General of Canada shared interesting facts in a conversational, informative, yet highly entertaining style. (L-R) Governor General of Canada, His Excellency, The Right Honorable David The speech entitled “Educating and Johnson presents a specially minted coin to Innovating in a Connected World”, Prof. Clement Sankat, PVC & Campus Principal, highlighted key issues, seamlessly The UWI, St. Augustine to commemorate the working real world examples into the visit of the Governor presentation: from the impact of social General of Canada to Trinidad and Tobago on media (Canadian Helen Campbell’s use of the occasion of it’s 50th Anniversary and the Twitter to encourage others to become collaboration between the two countries organ donors) to the importance of shared opportunities (speaking of the more than 700 students from this country who chose to study in Canada in 2010 and the 100 scholarships that have been distributed since 2009).
(L-R) Prof. Clement Sankat, PVC & Campus Principal, The UWI, St. Augustine and Governor General of Canada, His Excellency, The Right Honorable David Johnson greet Professor Wayne Hunte, Pro Vice Chancellor Office (Research)
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“Education is the primary means by which Mrs. Karen McBride, we can increase our choices and thrive as President and Chief human beings…Education and human Executive Officer at the Canadian Bureau development are inexorably linked. In for International Education the 21st Century, the well-being of whole societies will be determined by their ability to learn and innovate, as well as to share the knowledge they have gathered.”
Overall, his outlook was positive for the country, stating that Trinidad and Tobago is in an “enviable position to become a central player in the global economy because of its size, location and commitment to fostering learning and innovation.”
Ultimately, the address reflected his background as an educator, administrator and principal, as well as his respect for “the diplomacy of knowledge”.
Following the feature presentation, a panel discussion chaired by UWI Pro Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Wayne hunte, featured Mrs nobina (L-R) Panelists Mrs. Nobina Robinson, CEO at Polytechnics, Canada; Dr. Anna-May Edwards-Henry, Director of the IDU, The UWI, St. Augustine; Prof. Wayne Hunte, PVC, The UWI; Mrs. Karen McBride, Robinson, Chief Executive Officer at President and CEO at the Canadian Bureau for International Education; Dr. Gary Hepburn, Director, Academic Programming & Delivery Division, The UWI, Open Campus; Mr. James Knight, President, Polytechnics, Canada; Mrs Karen Mcbride, The Association of Canadian Community Colleges President and Chief Executive Officer at the Canadian Bureau for International Education; Mr James Knight, President of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges; Dr. Gary hepburn, Director, Academic Programming & Delivery Division, The UWI, Open Campus; and Dr Anna-May edwards-henry, Director of the Instructional Development Unit at
UWI. – ANNA WALCOTT-HARDY
www.sta.uwi.edu/stan Governor General of Canada, His Excellency, The Right Honorable DavidAPRIL Johnson – JUNE 2012 sTan 35 signs The UWI, St. Augustine Visitors’ Book The Heritage Languages of Trinidad & Tobago By Dr Jo-Anne S. Ferreira
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UWI STAn is pleased to introduce the “Language Matters” series for the 50th anniversary of Trinidad & Tobago. The series is provided by the Linguistics Section, currently of the Department of Liberal Arts, Faculty of Humanities & Education, UWI, St Augustine.
The insular cariBBean archipelago But in 1866, Rev W. H. Gamble, writing English Creole in both islands (referred has been described by Trinbagonian of the veritable Babel that was Trinidad to as Dialect); African languages such linguist Mervyn C. Alleyne as a linguistic then, thought that “the day is far distant as Yoruba, Ibo, Koongo (Congo), as well “graveyard”. As a result of longstanding ere the many tongues found in Trinidad as “many different dialects (sic)”, that is, intolerance towards multilingualism in will become as one.” In 1886, two languages, from Africa plus Arabic used small nation states, developed during decades later, Fr Bertrand Cothonay’s by African Muslims, languages from colonial times, all of the Amerindian conclusion was quite different. That “all parts of India” including Bengali, languages have disappeared, as author advocated and predicted (in Hindustani/Bhojpuri, and Tamil; and well as the African languages, some French) that “English was the language Chinese (which would have been creole, and most immigrant and sign of the future for Trinidad.” Cantonese and Hakka). Some of the languages which are all facing decline unnamed African languages included and ultimate disappearance. Even the Although only two colonial powers Akan (Twi or Asante), Mandingo or continental (greater) Caribbean and the controlled Trinidad (unlike Tobago, Maninka (Mande), Fon, and Hausa. rest of the Americas face similar issues partially controlled by four different With regard to Indian languages, the and challenges, especially with respect nations, Britain, France, Holland and historian Tinker specifically mentions to increasingly small and threatened Spain, and claimed by Latvia), well Gujarati, Nepali, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Amerindian communities. over 30 languages were in Trinidad Hindi-Urdu, Telugu and many others. around that time, and others still came Despite all of the issues faced by the later. The only Amerindian language Just as the many Amerindian languages users of the many languages once mentioned by Gamble was Warao (ten or more) lost ground in Spanish spoken or signed in the Caribbean, (called “Warahoon”, a language isolate, Trinidad, largely due to decimation, some 70 languages have survived thought not to be related to either emigration or assimilation, the many in the region (the Caribbean islands Carib/Kalina or Arawak/Lokono). languages mentioned by Gamble and most in continental CARICOM Although unlikely, there may have been also found no place in multilingual and French Guiana – the rest of the other surviving Amerindian languages British Trinidad, but because they coastal Caribbean would bring the in the mid to late 19th century. Gamble were disallowed. Gamble wrote at count to over 245). These languages mentioned European languages such as the time of the Anglicisation policy, a have survived to varying degrees, Danish, English, French, German, Italian, policy that was enforced by Attorney and in Trinidad and Tobago, at least Latin, Portuguese and Spanish; Patois General Charles William Warner, under twelve are still spoken, signed, sung or (French Creole) was the lingua franca or Governors Henry McLeod and Robert remembered today, along with some language of wider communication with Keate. This policy was specifically aimed newer arrivals. a significant number of native speakers; at the Catholic French Creole élite and www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 37 [LANGUAGE MATTERS]
their French and French Creole/Patois Including English, our only official used in smaller groups (such as Hakka languages, but threatened speakers of national language, made official only and Sindhi), embassies (such as those all other languages, particularly through in 1823, according to Gamble, national of Italy, Suriname, and many others), the education system and judiciary. heritage languages include those of the places of worship (such as Telegu Some languages have clearly managed pre-emancipation era such as Spanish, and Tamil), as well as American Sign to continue to exist, even into the mid- French and French Creole (Patois or Language (ASL), but this series focuses 20th century. Many seemingly have Twinidadyen), Yoruba, Tobagonian on these twelve as community, heritage undergoing waves of renewal because (English Creole), Trinidadian (English and national languages. of ongoing input from new immigrants, Creole), and post-emancipation but this has been unobtrusive and languages such as Cantonese, Bhojpuri, Many of the languages have more than largely underground, and mostly only Portuguese, north Levantine (Syrian one name, including the name used by if speakers were privately bilingual or in and Lebanese) Arabic and Trinidad & speakers, the name used by outsiders “difficult access” areas. Tobago Sign Language (TTSL). These and the name used by linguists or chronological divisions give a rough language scientists. Some of the names In 21st century Trinidad and Tobago, idea of the main eras of arrival or are unfortunately apologetic, non- only twelve of these languages have development of these languages, as specific or even pejorative, denigrating survived (including English). Most are the post-emancipation era heralded the speakers and their ancestors more potentially endangered (socially and the arrival of most of the languages than the languages themselves. Some economically disadvantaged, beginning mentioned by Gamble. The divisions are simply inaccurate. Bhojpuri, for to lose child users), to seriously are in fact fairly porous, as Yoruba example, is often referred to as “broken endangered (the youngest speakers are continued to arrive after emancipation, Hindi”; Patois is the name used by the 50 or older), to moribund (handful of the Portuguese and Chinese languages speakers of that language, but it has good speakers left, very old) and extinct arrived long before emancipation, been referred to as “broken French” even (no native speakers, linguistic remnants and Spanish has had varying waves of by some of its speakers, and French- in fossil and ritual forms, such as songs speakers over its five centuries here. lexicon Creole by linguists; Spanish has and phrases). There are, of course, other languages wrongly been called a Spanish “Patois” or “broken Spanish”; and speakers of the English Creoles call their languages “Despite all of the issues faced by the users of the Dialect (whether Tobagonian or many languages once spoken or signed in the Trinidadian), and Cantonese and Hakka Caribbean, some 70 languages have survived in the are both generally called Chinese. Even the history of English in Trinidad and region...these languages have survived to varying Tobago is misunderstood, with foreign- degrees, and in Trinidad and Tobago, at least twelve accented varieties being held up on radio and television as exonormative or are still spoken, signed, sung or remembered today, foreign models, standards or reference along with some newer arrivals.” points. The standard variety is often seen as the only “correct” or necessary variety, whereas non-standard English continues to co-exist with standard English and with the English Creoles of both our islands.
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These are the languages spoken, signed religious value (e.g., Classical Arabic for This is also a tribute to those linguists and used in our national territory, Muslims vs. Colloquial Arabic – their who have worked on our national with a history of over 100 to 500 years ancestors may not have been Arabic languages, including national linguists here. That these languages are all speakers), or one that seems to have such as Rawwida Baksh-Soodeen, numerically and/or socio-economically greater marketability and economic Lawrence D. Carrington, Kemlin minority languages is true—but each gain (e.g., French vs. French Creole), or Laurence, Peggy Ramesar Mohan, Sylvia has a place in our history, contributing one that is more accessible through Moodie Kublalsingh, Denis Solomon, to more than just our vocabulary online and printed materials, or for all John Jacob Thomas, Donald Winford, (which has contributed 12,200 words of these reasons (e.g., Hindi vs. Bhojpuri, as well as Gertrud Aub-Buscher, and phrases to the English language etc.), but not the modern varieties of Barbara Lalla, Ian Robertson, Lise and to Caribbean English Creole, as those ancestral tongues. Winer and Valerie Youssef and many documented by Lise Winer). The fact others who have been labouring in of their “survival” to the present attests In this our 50th year of nationhood, the the T&T vineyard in particular, and the to some speakers’ covert or overt aim of this series of articles, produced Caribbean in general. We welcome all determination to at least remember by current and retired members of the feedback and are honoured to publicise their ancestral, heritage languages, even Faculty of Humanities and Education the ongoing work by our scholars, if not to actively use them for various and our students, is to shed light aimed at thoroughly documenting and personal and social reasons. on the origin, development, status, understanding our linguistic heritage,
relevance and contributions of our our nation, and ourselves. This is a world where bi-/multi- eleven surviving national languages, in lingualism is normal, and valued addition to English. Dr Jo-Anne S. and encouraged by many countries, Ferreira is a Lecturer except perhaps in the Americas. Our writers include Cristo Adonis on in Linguistics in the present Department Trinidad, especially, was a multilingual the Amerindian languages of our First of Liberal Arts, a member of SIL space, but is no longer so. It is worth Peoples, Sylvia Moodie-Kublalsingh on International, and noting that bilingualism (English and Trinidadian Spanish, Jo-Anne S. Ferreira Secretary-Treasurer of the Society for English Creole) and bidialectalism are on French and Trinidadian Patois Caribbean Linguistics. She is also the holder of a postgraduate recognised in the 2010 Language and (French Creole) and on Portuguese, diploma in Brazilian Indigenous Languages Language Education Policy prepared Maureen Warner-lewis (of Trinidad and Linguistics (MN/UFRJ). by Ian Robertson, and by Lawrence & Tobago, UWI professor emerita, Carrington and Dennis Craig and other Mona) on Yoruba, Winford James scholars in the region. on Tobagonian, Kathy-Ann Drayton on Trinidadian, Jennifer De Silva on There are those now hoping to rescue Trinidadian Bhojpuri, Stefan Poon some of their ancestral past through ying on Cantonese in Trinidad, Ramon language learning and practice of the Mansoor on Syrian and Lebanese modern varieties of these languages. (north Levantine) Arabic, and ben Usually the new target variety is one braithwaite on Trinidad and Tobago that has a higher status in the country Sign Language. English, our official of origin (e.g., Lisbon Portuguese vs. language, will be the subject of another Madeiran Portuguese), or that has series.
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AMERINDIAN LANGUAGES in Trinidad and Tobago Cristo Adonis with Dr Jo-Anne S. Ferreira
In TRInIDAD AnD TObAGO, at least ten known and named pre-Columbian languages were spoken by peoples of a variety of Amerindian origins. These languages include those from language families such as Carib, Arawakan and others. Except for Kalina/Kari’ña (Carib), lokono (Arawak), and Warao, most of the other languages once spoken here are now extinct, both here and elsewhere on the American continent.
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The 11 languages below were just a are 15,000 Guyanese Arawaks. This is The work of these authors took a few of the languages spoken in Tobago often because not all members of all chronological focus. Some surviving and Trinidad at one time, but today groups are native speakers, and so the Amerindian place names, according to none is spoken natively in these islands. figures are generally tentative. It should language, include the following. The Languages of the Carib family include also be noted many of the groups live etymologies are those given in that the following (those in bold are still on borders and move freely between paper, and some are tentative. living languages): and among these different modern • Kalina (Carib) (7,500 speakers political entities. Further, not all modern Names of Greater Antillean Taino across Venezuela, Guyana, researchers and scholars agree and (Arawakan) origin reportedly came Suriname, French Guiana and continue to debate various aspects and via the Spanish who had been based Brazil) classifications of this vast and ancient in Cuba, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. • Carinepagoto subject of Amerindian peoples, cultures These names include: La Canoa • Chaima (Chayma) and languages. (canoe), Guayabal (guava + the Spanish • nepoio (nepuyo) (related to suffix -al, also in Venezuela), Icacos Mapoyo of Venezuela) The most outstanding linguistic (zeekak, fat pork), Savana Grande • Yao legacy of the First Peoples of Trinidad (sabana + Spanish grande ‘large’, also and Tobago remains the over 200 in Venezuela), Tabaquite and Tobago Languages of the Ta-Arawakan or Ta- toponyms or place names. These (tabaco), and Yaigual (yagua palm, also Maipuran family included the following: toponyms are found all over both in Venezuela as Yagua). • lokono/Arawak (2,500 speakers Trinidad and Tobago (itself thought to across Venezuela, Guyana, be a Taino name, but possibly brought Arawak/lokono language place Suriname and French Guiana) by the Spanish – see Arie Boomert’s names with known or partially known • Shebaio (Shebayo) discussion: http://jsa.revues.org/ meanings include: • Igneri index1856.html). (Taino is a northern • Arouca (arau ‘jaguar’ + cayri Arawakan/Maipuran language, now ‘island’; also in Venezuela as Aruca, Other language families include: extinct, from the northern Caribbean, the spellings
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Other Lokono names include Cipero, (originally closer to Guataro). One (possibly Arawakan, and possibly Guaracara, Moruga and Pitch (Lake). place name from yao (another Carib related to bara ‘the sea’), Petit and Shebaio, another Arawakan language, language) is Guapo (root + -apo, a suffix Grand Tacarib (from Terre Caribe, Land has given at least these two place meaning ‘place of, name of’). of the Caribs) and Tragarete. Peons also names: Aripero and Erin. brought Venezuelan names of various Baksh-Soodeen and Boomert indicate Amerindian origins to Trinidad, and Place names from the Cariban language that other Carib names came from the two countries share an important family are divided among the Kalina/ Dominican Caribs/Kalinagos. The latter number of place names through the Carib, Nepoio and Yao languages. spoke a language which contained movement of speakers of a range of Kalina/Carib place names with known a large number of words of Arawak languages. or partially known meanings include origin. Some of their contributions the following: include names such as Salybia, Warao is a language isolate, and one • Arena(les) (‘arm of a river’?) based on Chaleibe, the Carib name Warao place name is Chaguanas (name • Ari-ma (from Hy-Ari-Ma: ‘a for Trinidad, Balandra (‘the sea’), and of the Warao group). Winer notes that poisonous root’ + -ma/-mo, a suffix possibly Califo(r)nia (Kallipuna, a the Warao (or Guarahoons) are the meaning ‘giant-sized) name for the Island Caribs). These most frequently mentioned group in • Aripo (‘gridle for baking cassava authors also note that other names historical times, but they apparently bread’) from other Carib languages came visited Trinidad rather than residing • Cachipa (‘balisier’ or ‘heliconia’) from Venezuela, such as Carapichaima permanently. • Carapo (including + -apo, a suffix (carapa ‘crapo’ + chayma, the name meaning ‘place of, name of’) of a Cariban-speaking group) and With regard to flora and fauna, as well • Chaguaramas (‘palmiste palm’, also Cumana (Cumanagoto, a Cariban- as other items, some names extracted in Venezuela) speaking group + goto, ‘a suffix of from Winer’s 2009 Dictionary of the • Guanapo (‘grass’ + -apo, a suffix many Cariban tribal names’). Others English/Creole of Trinidad and Tobago meaning ‘place of, name of’) still came via the French Antilles, include several of Arawak and Carib • Mucurapo (‘silk cotton tree’ + -apo, such as Madamas, Mapepire, Paramin origin: a suffix meaning ‘place of, name of’) • Tamana (name of a Carib(an)- speaking group from the mid- Orinoco area) • Toco (‘wild sapodilla’) • Tumpuna (-puna/-pona, a suffix meaning ‘on, upon’) • Tunapuna (tona- ‘water, river’ + -puna/-pona, a suffix meaning ‘on, upon’)
Other well-known names of Kalina origin include Ariapita, Caura (from Guara), Chacachacare, Cumuto, Cunupia, Macqueripe, Maracas, Maraval, Matelot(e), Matura, Paria, Piarco, El Tucuche (with Spanish article el), Turure and Yarra. Place names of nepoio (another Carib language) origin include Mayaro (may have been the name of a South American Arawak tribe nepoio headman), nariva and Ortoire www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 43 [LANGUAGE MATTERS]
Arawak Creole. Patois and Spanish continue Garifuna/Black Caribs, historically a mixture • Trees: black maho and maho (also to be important heritage languages of St Vincent Arawaks, Caribs/Kalinagos Carib), bois cotelette (possibly for some members of the Community, and West Africans, and whose language French and Arawak), carapa tree particularly in areas such as Brasso is mainly Arawakan in origin). During (and carap oil, possibly Arawak), Seco, Paria, and Arima, and Adonis has gatherings in Trinidad and Tobago, with ceiba (‘silk cotton or kapok tree’), been willing to teach and share his visitors from these nations, the ‘smoke’ and cocorite palm, genip, guatecare, knowledge of Patois. other ceremonies become multilingual. manac, marouba, moriche (‘a From these nations come a variety of palm’) (both carapa and moriche In Trinidad, the Santa Rosa First languages used and heard in ceremonies may have other Amerindian origin) Peoples Community today is led by and festivals here. The languages include • Fruits: balata, cashima (‘sugar Chief Ricardo Bharath Hernandez and Kalina, Lokono and Warao from the apple’), zeekak (‘coco plum, fat Queen Jennifer Cassar. Chief Bharath mainland countries, Patois (Kalinagos from pork’) Hernandez is supportive of all of his Dominica and some Trinidadians), and • Fauna: crappo (also Carib), tay-tay Community’s language learning efforts, Spanish (as in the case of a Community worm (possibly Arawak), yarrow (‘a and his own origins may be more member from Lopinot). First nation fish’) Lokono than Kalina. Queen Cassar Canadians have also come, and members • Other: benab (‘a shelter’), canoe, speaks Patois/French Creole (also called of each ethnic group and nation are free to manare (‘a basket sifter’, or Warao) Kwéyòl), as does Cristo Adonis, the sing or pray in their own language at the Community’s payai (medicine man). gatherings. Carib • Trees: cocoyea, mauby The Community conducts a number of Some members of the Santa Rosa First • Fruits: plantain ceremonies during which ceremonial Peoples Community are interested in • Fauna: agouti, balahoo (a fish), chants are sung for the purpose of learning either Kalina or Lokono. Some batali (a small marine turtle), communing with the Creator, Guardians members are keen on learning both Kalina cachicama or kirtchecom (a type and Nature. The chants may be taught and Lokono, whether through formalised of armadillo or tatou), carite, cici and learned, but many are individual classes here, or visits to the mainland or zeb, coryal/corial (a canoe, also and spontaneous, and for Trinidadian through contact with native speakers thought to be of Arawak origin), First Peoples, some are aware of what visiting or living in Trinidad and Tobago. huille (a snake), mapepire, piapoco they are singing and have knowledge Recently, while learning dances, some (a bird) of some words from their ancestral children have learned some songs in • Other: canari (‘jar’), catara languages (Lokono and Kariña), but Guyanese Lokono, taught by Neville Govia, (‘casareep’, an Arawak name), some words may be unknown. These a Guyanese Lokono who practises and pirogue, savannah chants are sung on occasions such teaches carving and weaving at the Santa as the birth of a child, the death of a Rosa Centre. Other words of Taino origin via Spanish person, the clearing of land, planting, include caiman, cassava, guava, harvesting, and lately, national inter- While it is unlikely that there will ever be a hurricane, iguana, hammock, manatee, religious meetings and festivals such new generation of native speakers of Kalina, pawpaw/papaya; of Tupi-Guarani as Red Earth. The ceremonies have Lokono or Warao born in Trinidad and origin, roucou and tannia (also Carib), come to be called ‘smoke ceremonies’ Tobago, there is increasing awareness and and many more, including manicou, as tobacco is blown out of a pipe, sensitivity that the languages are all distinct mabouia (a lizard), toluma (‘red but the focus is connecting with the and different from one another (as Russian arrowroot’), and barbecue (Arawak). Creator (thanksgiving and prayers for is from English, for example), and that these guidance, permission, etc.). There has languages are not to be over-generalised It is interesting to note that the been increasing contact with First as Amerindian or referred to dismissively ancestral Amerindian languages were Peoples from other countries such as mere “dialects”. The languages of the first replaced by Spanish, then Patois/ as St Vincent and the Grenadines, First Peoples continue to live on through French Creole, which in turn has been Dominica, Venezuela, Guyana, French important words, especially to do with the mostly replaced by English and English Guiana, Suriname and Belize (including natural, spiritual world.
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The late great Tito Lara, singer, musician and composer, dedicated his life to Parang music
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SPANISH in Trinidad and Tobago By Dr Sylvia Moodie-Kublalsingh
Three cenTuries ago Trinidad was According to the governor there already under Spanish domination for were also about 1,500 native people two hundred years. In other words, on the missions and encomiendas in 1712, Spain had been sending (estates with indigenous labour governors and other administrators – see F. Morales Padrón’s Trinidad to the island for two hundred years to Española, Sevilla 2011). In 1712, only a maintain its overseas possession, one small proportion of the Amerindian of doubtful economic value, but of population was under Spanish control significant strategic importance. and in close contact with the Spanish language in four encomiendas However, there was no real impact on located at Arouca, Tacarigua, San the development of this potentially Juan, and Caura, in the north of the rich territory. The non-indigenous island. Having been exposed to some Spanish-speaking population in degree of indoctrination and Spanish Trinidad remained very small during acculturation, these Amerindians of that period. The Governor in 1702 various ethnicities and languages might reported that the total number of have learned Spanish and imbibed inhabitants, that is, Spaniards, did not certain aspects of Hispanic culture. exceed 60 (probably households).
“Yet, today in 2012, there are Trinidadians who are still described as ‘Spanish’ mainly because of their appearance and their surnames; because of some family member’s knowledge of Spanish, or because they reside in traditional ‘Spanish’ villages where parang has been popular.”
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A hundred years later in 1812, Trinidad de Asunción, Isla de Concepción and people of the Port-of-Spain of the had already experienced many Isla de Magdalena. The Spanish visited 19 th century. Arundell claims that one profound changes. In 1783 the or claimed Tobago at various other could hear “Spanish, with its true Cedula of Population had come into times, including 1591 and 1614, but they Castilian pronunciation, as well as with effect transforming the demography left no real impact on that island. Only the slight corruption with which the of the colony, and the nature of a few Spanish place names remain: Cap South Americans speak it”. Evidently its society. Hispanics (whether Gracias-a-Dios and Pedro Point on the the speech of the Trinidad-born European, Indigenous or African), northern side and La Guira near Crown Hispanics would have been the slightly were outnumbered by Francophone Point. “corrupted” (sic) variety. In addition, we immigrants of European and African know that droves of labourers or peons origin. After 1783, the Spanish language During the first two or three decades arrived from Venezuela throughout the and culture already seemed threatened. of the nineteenth century, at a time nineteenth century settling mostly in Then on the 18th February 1797, Trinidad of political and social turmoil on agricultural areas. In this way, though ceased to be Spanish; the last Governor, the Mainland, there was significant we witness the demise of its more José María Chacón, handed over movement eastwards to Trinidad. socially influential members, we the defenceless island to the British Venezuelans of different political observe how the Hispanic community through the capitulation signed at persuasions took up residence on continued to survive and grow. the Valsayn Estate. By the beginning the island. Among them was Antonio Therefore, Spanish remained extant of the 1800s, the exodus of Spanish Gómez, the Spanish-born secretary as the language of local Hispanic folk officials, troops and other colonists was of a Venezuelan Royalist General sent particularly in rural areas. effected. Some of the latter migrated as plenipotentiary to the Governor of to the Mainland. Other Spanish Creoles Trinidad in 1813, and who subsequently In the 1880s, Louis de Verteuil reported “impoverished and isolated’, became performed the role of Assessor to a predominance of Spanish speakers unimportant relics in their native land, Governor Woodford. Gómez eventually of mixed race in the county of Caroni. and “disappeared from the historical purchased the large La Pastora Cocoa The ward of Montserrat, in particular, record” (see page 20 of B. Brereton’s A Estate in the Santa Cruz valley, and “was mostly if not entirely occupied by History of Modern Trinidad, 1783–1962). settled down in Trinidad (see pages individuals of Spanish descent” wrote Others, gradually “suffused with French 82–83 of Fr. Anthony de Verteuil’s Great de Verteuil. In the Caura Valley, most manners”, were absorbed into French Estates of Trinidad). of the inhabitants were of Spanish Creole society. descent, and Spanish was universally Edward Lanzer (E.L.) Joseph, author spoken. However, I have not found Tobago was first sighted by the Spanish of Warner Arundell, the Adventures records of the actual number of in 1498, and recorded Spanish names of a Creole, comments, through the Spanish-speaking persons residing for the island include Bella Forma, Isla protagonist, on the “dialects” of the in Trinidad in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Stollmeyer Cocoa Estate House, Santa Cruz Valley The term ‘Spanish’ was used to designate persons whose language was Spanish, and not necessarily to refer to descendants of families from the Spanish colonial period. Venezuelan Spanish speakers were considered valuable pioneers in the development of Trinidad’s cacao industry. There were tree fellers and hunters, but businessmen and professionals also came, all fleeing from the civil unrest on the mainland. The peons gravitated to areas where Spanish- speaking communities already existed.
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Consequently, from the mid-nineteenth the conditions were not present for century onwards, the local ‘Spanish’ the creation of a new Spanish-based Did you know? population consisted largely of both pidgin, bozal or distinct language like the rural agricultural labourer/peasant the French-lexicon Creole (Patois) and • The Cabildo was built after 1797 type and the more urban Venezuelan. English-lexicon Creole languages. in “Spanish” style. No building Enslaved Africans were introduced from the Spanish period After the closure of the Spanish into Spanish Trinidad at a very late survives. Colony, the Venezuelans and their stage, they were small in number locally born descendants took on the and, to my knowledge, there were no • The name Laventille has its responsibility, so to speak, of ensuring maroon settlements during that period. origins in the Spanish word that Trinidad did not lose its Hispanic Therefore, they were not separated for an ‘inn’, La Ventilla (from la flavour altogether. Since most of these from mainstream Spanish. Local venta), as there was actually an Spanish speakers worked on cocoa expressions used by Trinidadian Spanish inn on the outskirts of Port-of- Spain. estates they were often referred to as Creoles or hispanicised Amerindians “cocoa panyols”. Language, customs, and their offspring in the pre-British • The streets in downtown Port- occupation and even place of residence era have not been identified. Neither is of-Spain from Duncan Street distinguished them from the rest of there information on their songs, music, in the east to Frederick Street the society. They often looked different food, festivities, prayers and knowledge in the west first bore Spanish too: mainly of mixed Amerindian, of medicinal plants. names: Calle del Infante, Calle European and African ancestry. They de San José, Calle de Santa were referred to politely as Spanish, and Between 1967 and 1987, I interacted Ana, Calle Herrera, Calle de San often derogatorily as cocoa panyol. with ‘Spanish’ speakers in traditional Carlos, Calle de San Luis, Calle Spanish villages which were becoming de Santa Rosa, Calle de Princesa Throughout the early to mid 20th very mixed with a diminishing core of de Asturias. century, Port-of-Spain and other Spanish speakers. These communities • Observatory Street was so Caribbean capitals had become the include Lopinot, Santa Cruz, Maracas, called because it is the site of an point of reference for many Parianos Blanchisseuse, Arima, Valencia, Las astronomer’s observatory built (inhabitants of the coast of the Gulf Cuevas in the north, places to which in the Spanish colonial period. of Paria on the Venezuelan side, in many of the Spanish speakers had towns such as Macuro and Güiria), migrated from Caura, the former • Port-of-Spain was first named with wealthy Venezuelans sending quintessential Spanish valley (until Puerto de los Españoles. their children to Catholic colleges the 1945 evacuation). Further south, I in Trinidad, conducting business in met Spanish speakers in Gran Couva, • The surname Farfan is one Trinidad, shopping, and even coming Cedros, Erin, the central Montserrat of the oldest Spanish and to take drinking water back to the Hills, Moruga, Rio Claro, Siparia, Tamana, European names in Trinidad. It mainland. Carúpano, further west, Tabaquite, Tortuga, and the south- dates back to at least 1644. was also important in Venezuelan- western peninsula (see S. Moodie- • Devotion to La Divina Pastora Antillean commerce. Spanish, Patois Kublalsingh’s 1994 work, The Cocoa was introduced by Spanish and English moved freely between Panyols of Trinidad: An Oral Record). Capuchin missionaries who first the two countries. There have been Most informants reported that their arrived in Trinidad from Aragon several other waves of Venezuelans ancestors were of both Trinidadian and and Catalonia in 1684. coming to Trinidad, mostly depending Venezuelan provenance. These persons on the political era, as well as economic were generally in their seventies. The • Trinidad and Venezuela were opportunities such as fishing, younger generation was unable to carry part of the Viceroyalty of commerce and other business activities. on a conversation in Spanish. New Granada from 1717. This viceroyalty included Colombia, The variety of Spanish spoken in Yet, today in 2012, there are Trinidadians Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad during the Spanish colonial who are still described as ‘Spanish’ and Panama. By 1777, Trinidad period could hardly have differed from mainly because of their appearance was one of the provinces of the Captaincy-General of Venezuela. the language of the region generally, and their surnames; because of some Venezuela in particular. Moreover, family member’s knowledge of Spanish, [LANGUAGE MATTERS]
or because they reside in traditional origin in español, pastel and parranda, and revealed to the privileged few. ‘Spanish’ villages where parang has respectively. Our expression it making Most of the oraciones were in verse and been popular. Formerly, some of hot might be a calque of the Spanish took the form of the romance or ballad. these individuals were reputed to hace calor. (It can also be due to French These prayers and numerous coplas on cure illnesses and assist with personal and Patois influence.) Other words religious and secular themes connect problems through the recitation of currently in use are: arape (>arepa, ‘fried Trinidad to Spain via Venezuela. From Spanish prayers. Their help was solicited cornmeal pie with fish or meat filling’), this point of view, one can appreciate at critical times to santiguar (santiwa), empanada (‘a cornmeal pie usually how Trinidad and Venezuela, especially attend to children afflicted with without filling’);pastelle (>pastel, ‘a corn Paria and Oriente de Venezuela, form mysterious ailments, advise on local pie filled with a well-seasoned mixture Un Solo Pueblo (One People) sharing bush medicine, and so on. Moreover, of meat, raisins, capers and olives’; Una sola cultura (One Culture), as in post-colonial independent Trinidad lanyap/lagniappe (>la ñapa, ‘an extra anthropologist Juan Sorrillo is fond of and Tobago, a new, positive attitude bonus’); to mamaguy (>mamar el gallo, reminding us. This Hispanic Venezuelan evolved vis à vis their musical talent and also used in Venezuela, ‘to fool, trick, ribbon is just one of the many that are linguistic abilities. They were consulted deceive’); picong (>picón, ‘spontaneous woven into Trinidad’s culture. as repositories of Hispanic song and verbal battler); douen/dwenn (>duende, music, namely the popular parang ‘a legendary creature, spirit of an infant Unfortunately, we have been witnessing (from Spanish parranda). The status lost who died before being baptised’); the phenomenon of language death by the old Spanish Creoles was partially maljo (>mal de ojo, ‘the evil eye’); sapat as the national native variety has recovered by their obscure, unknown (>zapato, ‘slipper with wooden sole become extinct. The few semi-speakers descendants and by humble, rural, for outdoor use’); planass (>planazo, of the local variety produce ill-formed Trinidadian-Venezuelan peons. ‘a blow with the flat side of a machete and idiosyncratic syntax which the or cutlass’); pokapok (>poco a poco, older fluent generations would not Trinidadian Spanish spoken two ‘little by little, gradually’; ayo as in ‘the have generated, and their vocabulary generations ago in rural areas was kite ayo’ (>adios, ‘goodbye’); pyong is limited. Languages die when they similar to the variety heard in rural (>peón, ‘an enthusiast’); cuatro, bandol are no longer used by the younger Eastern (Oriente de) Venezuela. In 1922 and mandolin, musical instruments; generation. Today, we have reached and 1931, the celebrated Hispanic and several other culture-bound this stage where there are very few, philologist, Pedro Henríquez Ureña, words associated with the parang, for if any, surviving speakers of Trinidad after visiting Trinidad, reported that example, aguinaldo, estribillo, joropo, Spanish. Spanish has evolved into a our variety (dialect) of Spanish was manzanare, parranderos, serenal, etc. Foreign Language taught at secondary ‘normal’, which contained some loans Some words are now obsolete: boy schools and a few language learning from English and Patois. This mixture (>bollo, ‘bun or bread roll’; marcha institutions. distinguished it from other varieties. palantay (>marcha para adelante, Dr Sylvia Moodie-Kublalsingh is a retired Senior (See R.W. Thompson’s 1956 article ‘to go ahead’); santiwa(i) (>santiguar, Lecturer in Spanish, and former Director of the “Préstamos lingüísticos en tres idiomas ‘to bless’); and others. (See Winer and Centre for Language Learning (CLL). trinitarios” in Estudios americanos 61: Aguilar, and John Jacob Thomas’ 1869 249-54.) book, The Theory and Practice of Creole Grammar.) Trinidadian English also benefitted from its contact with Spanish. Apart from the The old” panyols” prayed, recited Spanish place names and surnames proverbs and sang verses of aguinaldos that abound in our country, we use and estribillos in Spanish. The language words that are of local Spanish origin. was usually transmitted orally. Those Amerindian place names of various who were literate read La Santa Biblia origins and languages have been and a book called “El Mártir de Gólgota” influenced by Spanish with suffixes which they consulted to compose such as –al, -ito/-ita, articles such as el/ verses on the life of Jesus. The younger los, la(s), and words such as grande, generations also lost their forefathers’ chico, río, cerro and more. Panyol/ oraciones (‘prayers’), regarded as Payol, pastelle and parang have their powerful spiritual tools veiled in secrecy
50 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 [LANGUAGE MATTERS]
www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 51 Noble Roots: A Banana Plantation at the forerunner to The UWI St. Augustine Campus, the renowned Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture (ICTA). This plantation had practically every known species of banana, interspersed with Gliricidia Sepium for shade. [FACULTIES & APPOINTMENTS]
New Faculties of Food & Agriculture, Science & Technology
The annual Business Meeting Similarly, the Faculty of Science of the Council of The University of and Technology, will focus on the West Indies (UWI), held on Friday, technology, particularly Information 27 April 2012, at the Mona Campus, and Communication Technology endorsed some strategic decisions (ICT), Biotechnology, Renewable taken in February by the University Energy Technology and Biomedical Strategy and Planning Committee. The Technology. The decision to rename the most significant change is the decision Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences on to reinstate a dedicated Faculty of the Cave Hill and Mona Campuses to Agriculture which for 14 years had the Faculty of Science and Technology been merged with the former Faculty was not aimed only at standardizing of Natural Sciences to create the faculty names across The University, but Faculty of Science and Agriculture at more importantly signalled a welcomed the St. Augustine Campus. This Faculty widening of focus and the repositioning has now been demerged to make of Science with Technology throughout accommodation for the new Faculties the institution. of Food and Agriculture and Science and Technology. Stakeholders in the Agriculture sector have been calling for this reinstatement and it is hoped that the new Faculty with its focus on food and agriculture, will address the pressing issue of food security in the region.
www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 53 [AWARDS]
Research Day Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the best Poster and best Research Paper Awards for Teaching and learning Research Day held on Wednesday 7th December 2011. Carlene Williams, a student in the IDU’s Master in Higher Education (MHEd) Tertiary Level Teaching and Learning programme, was adjudged winner of the Best Poster Award for her entry entitled The Teaching of Social Media Ethics to Tertiary Level Students, while Dr Rawatee Maharaj-Sharma, Lecturer (L-R) Carlene Williams with Dr Anna-May Edwards-Henry and Dr Maharaj-Sharma. in the School of Education, received the award for Best Research Paper. in their practice. The event provides In addition to providing a forum for Teaching and Learning Research Day is opportunities for teaching staff to publicising events within the teaching intended for all university lecturers who present their research (papers, posters) and learning dynamic at The UWI, this are interested in teaching and learning and/or engage in workshops and panel event also highlights, encourages and effectiveness. The event is designed discussions with a diverse audience acknowledges scholarly teaching. The to disseminate research information on on teaching conceptualisation and next Teaching and Learning Research teaching and learning generally and to teaching practice in the areas of Day will be held in 2013. provide our teaching practitioners with Classroom Research and Technology a forum for demonstrating scholarship Innovation/Blended Learning.
Atlantic’s Sustainability Award for IGDS
In April 2012, the Institute for Gender and Development Studies, St. Augustine Unit - Women Gender Water network, was awarded the Atlantic CEO Sustainability Award for its Children’s Vacation Water Camp Programme in Biche, Icacos and Matelot. The annual event seeks to bring recognition to outstanding and innovative projects developed (L-R) Deborah McFee, Keizel Kydd and Dr Fredericka Deare of the IGDS-WGWN — Women Gender Water by Atlantic’s employees as well as Network with the Atlantic CEO Sustainability Award for Children’s Vacation Water Camp Programme. service providers, NGOs and contractor companies associated with Atlantic. win for a project that was approved of the project and it has opened the The Vacation Camp Programme, which through the Atlantic LNG donations door to a number of funding and other educates children on the water cycle, process and it was the only NGO to opportunities towards the possible sustainable water use, conservation and receive the prestigious award this expansion of the outreach and research management, achieved the first ever year. This award has raised the profile capacity of the project.
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A Visionary Innovator
Congratulations to Professor Pathmanathan Umaharan for being honored by the Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of Legal Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago. The Professor in Genetics has done groundbreaking work on plant genetic resources “the work could management, genetic analysis and not have been crop improvement. His areas of interest done without the include biotechnology and biosafety teamwork involving and his current research interests are understanding host-pathogen a number of my interactions and the genetics of graduate students” resistance in cocoa and Anthurium; Professor Pathmanathan Umaharan genetic resource management in cacao and hot pepper; as well as biotechnological approaches to improving the colour range in Anthuriums. Professor Umaharan was among five other selected persons, who were honored as “Visionary Innovators” for having contributed to the development of intellectual properties, as part of the World Intellectual Property Day function held at the Crowne Plaza, Port of Spain. The unassuming lecturer is quick to thank his colleagues often stating that, “the work could not have been done without the teamwork involving a number of my graduate students”.
One of the Varieties of Anthuriurm Lillies developed by UWI Professor Umaharan. www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 55 [ON CAMPUS]
Senior Appointments
At the annual business meeting of the Several Deans were also appointed Council of The University of the West or reappointed. Dr David berry will Indies, held on Friday, 27 April 2012, at assume the position of Dean of the the Mona Campus, Jamaica, The UWI’s Faculty of Law at the Cave Hill Campus, supreme governing body approved the on August 1, 2012 on the retirement appointment and re-appointment of of the current Dean, Professor The several senior managers. Principal of the honourable Velma newton, for a Cave Hill Campus, Professor Sir hilary term of four years; Professor Joseph beckles and Principal of the Mona A. branday was re-appointed Dean of Professor Sir Hilary Beckles Campus, Professor The honourable the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Cave Gordon Shirley were both reappointed, Hill for a further two years up to July with acclamation, for another five-year 31, 2014. Dr Justin Robinson, currently term; Principal of the Open Campus, Head of the Management Studies Professor hazel Simmons-McDonald Department at Cave Hill, will succeed was also reappointed with acclamation, Dr George belle as Dean of the Faculty but for a period of two years as she is of Social Sciences at the Cave Hill due to retire in 2014. Campus, for four years effective August 1, 2012.
Also reappointed were the University Professor The Honourable Gordon Shirley Registrar, Mr C. William Iton for a At the Mona Campus, Dean of the further period of five years and the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Ms (renamed Science & Technology), Patricia harrison, for another three- Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa, was year term. Professor yvette Jackson, reappointed to serve a further four Coordinator for Graduate Studies at years in the position, until July 31, 2016. the Mona Campus, was elevated to The Faculty of Social Sciences will the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor have a new Dean, as the incumbent for Graduate Studies, succeeding the Professor Mark Figueroa would incumbent, Professor Ronald young have served two consecutive terms. Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald who retires at the end of the current Professor evan Duggan, currently academic year. Executive Director of the Mona School of Business, will succeed Professor Figueroa as Dean of the Faculty for two years until his retirement in 2014.
Mr C. William Iton
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Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the St Augustine Campus, Professor Funso Aiyejina, has been reappointed to the position for a further four years, effective August 1, 2012, while at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the campus Mr errol Simms, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management Studies, Professor Funso Aiyejina Professor Indar Ramnarine will serve a three year term as Dean. Mr Simms will succeed Dr hamid Ghany, who served in the position for two consecutive terms, when he steps down on July 31, 2012. The new Faculty of Science and Technology at the St Augustine Campus will be headed by Professor Indar Ramnarine as of the start of the new academic year, August
1, 2012. Professor of Ichthyology in the Dr Carlisle Pemberton Mr Errol Simms Department of Fisheries Management and Aquaculture, Professor Ramnarine has been Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture since 2008. On August 1, Dr Carlisle Pemberton will become the Acting Dean of the new Faculty of Food and Agriculture at St Augustine. Dr Pemberton, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension, will fill the post for one year.
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Smart Talk
Gwendolene Roberts, who was Why did you choose to pursue how do you feel about this field of research? receiving this award? recently awarded a prestigious Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples I am not at all certain that I chose In choosing my research focus, I of Latin America and The Caribbean this field; rather I believe that we met realised very quickly that what I would (ALBA) research grant, shares halfway. I fell in love with journalism as (be) interrogating as my MPhil - I her passion for journalism, the a small child and as I grew, I began to hope to secure a PhD upgrade by the importance of research at UWI and wonder about what goes on behind end of this academic year - and was the impact of intellectuals/mentors the scenes. How are stories selected? considered frontier research. Coming- like Norman Girvan, with Anna Are journalists sure that the story they off of having achieved a high A grade Walcott Hardy. are reporting on is indeed factual? Why for my Master’s Thesis, I wanted to do some stories ‘make it’, and others expand on what I did at that level to Also known as the Cultural Fund of do not? encompass the Latin American region. the Bolivarian Alternative for the I felt that this corner of the globe Peoples of Latin America and the Over time this evolved into questions needs to build closer relations and Caribbean – ALBA, the 2011-2012 such as: Do governments have any so I began to research accordingly. grant also provides funding for two input into how their countries are When Professor Girvan brought this trips - one to Venezuela and the portrayed in international media? Can award to my attention and I looked other to Cuba, for Gwendolene to small societies with no major economic at the requirements, at first I was not complete field work on her thesis punch, still determine their own realities too enthusiastic, but my present MPhil which will examine the integral or are they ‘given’ a particular image Supervisor Dr. Mark Kirton along with impact of media on societies. based on the determination of people Dr. Marlon Anatol, encouraged me to outside of their borders? apply. They reminded me that what I hoped to achieve from my research
This led me to become very interested would ultimately impact Latin America in International Relations and owing to also and I am so pleased that I did the excellent support of my then Thesis apply. I am the only grant winner from Supervisor, Professor norman Girvan, an English Speaking country and this I cemented my academic direction fact has made me feel a strong sense and am now pursuing this passion of accomplishment - I have been able wholeheartedly. to gain the attention of stakeholders in the academic and governmental arms of the Spanish speaking, Latin American community - a virtual foot in the door of the region I hope to impact on when my thesis is complete.
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how do you think your work will impact on our society?
My research is geared towards building integration from the bottom up; it looks at the ways the various governmental and civil society stakeholders can empower their citizenry and membership to seek a closer relationship across the hemisphere in an age where - to go it alone is practically impossible and where new regionalism [has emerged] - building strong relationships along ideological if not geographical bounds. We are a technologically high usage society, but the levels to which we are able to translate the volume of internet, and telecommunications traffic into actual social impact is too low at present. My research focus is aimed at filling that gap; providing our region and hemisphere with the theoretical tools necessary to have practical impact on the way we see our world.
Gwendolene Roberts how can UWI enable greater collaboration with stakeholders and enhance the transfer of American hemisphere by regional way what is done at the university is knowledge from academia scholars. This information should not not in isolation to the rest of society but to having an impact on the development of our society? stay simply in books in the library. A feeds into the direct advancement of look at the various focus areas of the the peoples of this part of the globe. I think that The University of the West students should be done and lined- Indies’ role as the regional tertiary level up against the needs of the various educator, is essential for the continued countries policy requirements and fed growth of the region’s intellectual into the public consciousness through base. For me however, it should not workshops and via television, radio stop there. The UWI is a repository for and print. Also focusing scholarships some of the most advanced research towards priority areas of the region will theses on the Caribbean and Latin encourage targeted research. In this
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new Faculties, expansion & Mergers
Division of liberal Arts MSb and DOMS merged Department Another major strategic move is the The Faculty of Humanities and decision to merge the Department Education at the St Augustine Campus of Management Studies in the will have two new Departments, arising Faculty of Social Sciences at Mona from the separation of the Department with the Mona School of business. of Liberal Arts into the Department of The merged entity, to be known as Modern languages and linguistics the Mona School of business and and The Department of literary, Management, will operate within Dr Derrick McKoy, Deputy Dean, Cultural and Communication Studies. the Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Law, Mona Campus The division had become necessary as a will facilitate the goal of institutional result of the rapid growth in enrolment accreditation of all business expansion of the law Faculty in the disciplines of Modern Languages programmes at the undergraduate, In keeping with the decision taken and Communication Studies. graduate and post-graduate levels. three years ago to expand access to the The merger was commended as a teaching of Law, the Council endorsed model for the business schools at the the decision of its Strategy Committee Cave Hill and St Augustine Campuses to establish a full-fledged Faculty of to emulate. law at the Mona and St Augustine Campuses in addition to the original The Optometry Programme Faculty at Cave hill. At Mona the The BSc Programme in Optometry LLB programme, headed by Deputy at the St Augustine Campus will Dean Dr Derrick McKoy, has been now be located in the Faculty of in operation for the past three years Medical Sciences (FMS), bringing it in a state-of-the-art Faculty building. under the leadership of the Dean, Currently, students can register for the FMS, and moving it from its former full LLB programme at St Augustine, position in the Faculty of Science and where a building to temporarily house Agriculture. the new Faculty has been constructed. It is expected that the new Faculty of law at St Augustine will become fully operational in the academic year 2013-2014 with the completion of the new flagship building at The UWI South Campus, Penal/Debe.
For the latest UWI news, click http://sta.uwi.edu/news
Professor Samuel Ramsewak, 60Dean, sTanFaculty APRIL of Medical – JUNE Sciences 2012 [CONFERENCE]
uncertainty and lower interest rates in Caribbean and foreign financial For Richer markets; changes in international accounting standards; fiscal stress & For Poorer among governments; increased longevity of pensioners ; and the Pension Reform Conference Hits Home prospect of unfunded liabilities to a growing mismatch between financial commitments to pensioners and anticipated future earnings of the pension schemes. Participants had been brought together to assess these issues, comment on legislative reforms and make proposals for sustained pension arrangements in the Caribbean. The bar seemed to be raised quite high for a one day seminar and yet strides were made - ones that are (L-R) Professor Emeritus Compton Bourne, Executive Director at the Caribbean Centre for Money and Finance, Professor Clement Sankat, UWI Campus Principal, former Minister of needed in a region facing an economic Finance, Trinidad and Tobago, the Hon. Winston Dookeran crisis coupled with increased longevity heavy-weighTs from across the supporting the business executive among its population. world made it to the international seminar and encouraging “policy seminar on “The Future of the Pension oriented discourse”. During his Professor Clement Sankat, UWI Industry in the Caribbean” on 4th presentation he detailed the many Campus Principal, called for action of May at the Hyatt Regency Hotel government funded pension initiatives stating that “we all have a social and in Trinidad. With Caribbean news that support senior citizens and went moral responsibility to act”. Many of headlines featuring the CLICO and on to add that there are plans to widen the speakers agreed that there is a the Hindu Credit Union enquiry, the the net of beneficiaries to include the dire need to strengthen the pension Seminar was undeniably timely and self-employed. He also spoke of the industry in the region as a pension fundamental. need for a reform agenda to address often becomes the sole source of these issues in a timely, urgent fashion income for many. Speakers included then Minister of with great resolve. Finance, Trinidad and Tobago, the It’s not surprising that in a room full of hon. Winston Dookeran, International Indeed the seminar’s aims and fund analysts, researchers, educators, Monetary Fund Economist Dr baoping objectives included exposing decision accountants and bankers, more than Shang, Central Bank Governor, Mr makers in the industry including just a few nodded in agreement with ewart Williams and Vice President representatives of the interests of Executive Director at the Caribbean Sagicor, Mr James Camacho. Then pension beneficiaries, to key issues Centre for Money and Finance, Minister of Finance, Winston Dookeran affecting the operations of Caribbean Professor emeritus Compton bourne’s applauded the Caribbean Centre for pension funds. It was noted that statement that “pensions matter greatly Money and Finance, UWI, Unit Trust public and private pension funds have for the well-being of societies”. – AWH Corporation and Republic Bank for to contend with: greater investment www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 61 Breaking the Silence The fight against child sexual abuse by Margaret Walcott [OUTREACH]
more ofTen Than noT societies and Development Studies (IGDS) at resist change. The elimination of social The University of the West Indies, St. taboos is particularly slow. The Trinidad Augustine offers an emphatic response and Tobago society is no different. In to this debilitating social ill. our country Child Sexual Abuse, the violation of children’s rights and the In 2008, The Institute embarked on a personal integrity of girls and boys, is three year action research project to deeply entrenched, it is a taboo subject gain new knowledge, and to enable and one of the most hidden crimes in women, men, girls and boys to better our society. understand child sexual abuse and to deal with its implications for the spread Breaking the Silence: A Multi–Sectoral of HIV. Approach to Preventing and Addressing Child Sexual Abuse in Trinidad and For the Break the Silence project Tobago of The Institute of Gender The Institute of Gender and Social
“Child sexual abuse in Trinidad and Tobago has lurked in the background for years, slow in coming to the forefront. Although in the last decade or so there has been public outrage at the murders of young children”.
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Development partnered with the Chambers, an 11 year old boy who was Trinidad and Tobago Coalition against found in a pool at a birthday party in May Domestic Violence (CADVTT), UnICEF, 1998; Amy Annamunthodo a four-year- Trinidad and Tobago, and the UN old found raped and buggered in 2006; Trust Fund to End Violence against six-year-old Sean luke lum Fai was Women. The partnership with the another victim and more recently the Coalition against Domestic Violence case of Daniel Guerra aged eight. The (CADVTT), a nGO established in 1988 media frenzy has been short lived, some by two women, Diana Mahabir and in the traumatized communities remain the late Radhica Saith, activists in the fearful, reluctant to report incidents field of domestic violence, provided a of child sexual abuse and address the The logo is not a commercial or legitimate entree into communities in perpetrators. trademark tool, but rather a call to Trinidad and Tobago. awareness, a consciousness raising The visual symbol of the programme symbol. Child sexual abuse in Trinidad and is a blue teddy bear, beloved of all Tobago has lurked in the background children with a plaster over its heart. It A Call To Action went out to for years, slow in coming to the simultaneously conjures up the horror of communities to paint walls, organize forefront; Although in the last decade child sexual abuse while offering security, walks, install community signs, share or so there has been public outrage at love, care and comfort and subliminally on the Face book page, and network. the murders of young children - Akiel suggesting hope and healing. Many communities answered the “Call”
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and the groundswell, so critical to the campaign, is growing.
Skills-building workshops were developed always at the request of the community. They embraced the service providers, the teachers, parents, and offered child centered activities and artistic and theatre based activities. Many of the community activities have drawn on art forms and traditional celebrations. In Charlotteville, Tobago, Kite Flying that they displayed at the Family Health From the Toco community came a was the activity. December is kite flying Fair in their community. seven-episode radio programme From season in in the island, that is when Mathura to Matelot that was developed kites really soar. Rhonda Mckenzie, The Committee on the Status of as part of a community skills-building the Community Liaison Officer for Women (CSW),Trinidad & Tobago workshop. Adults and children Charlotteville, for the Break the Silence Unified Teachers’ Association, (TTUTA) participated in writing the script, acting project, worked with the children who collaborated with the Sports, Cultural in the soap opera as well as recording, participated in the arts workshops, and Social Activities Committee to use editing and producing the video. building the kites and painting a banner the Break the Silence campaign as the
“there is need to extend and expand the project, and it is most important for government policy to reflect the findings of the study and implement the recommendations.”
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theme for the TTUTA and M&M 10K and 1 Lap on January 21st, 2011.
In Barrackpore, Zorah Resalsingh, a retired nurse, who had long been working with ‘children at risk’ collaborating with Police, Teachers and Social Workers, joined the campaign and the Barrackpore Community organized an impressive, large march in July 2011. “Auntie Zorah” says her goal is to have a Children’s Home that is so badly needed in the southland.
Deputy Campus Principal of UWI St Augustine Dr. Rhoda Reddock who Briefly, they relate to the following areas: The silence has been broken but the is also Project Director, Professor journey to change behaviours is long of Gender Social Change and Reporting – a single data collection and arduous. Old habits die hard. Development holds firm that the instrument for reporting and responsibilities of The University “is to interviewing. generate public debate and raise the level of public understanding”. And expansion – Long term counselling this project has produced numerous support for victims and perpetrators. products valuable at both academic and community levels. Similarly, there Protocols – Confidentiality Agreements has been considerable interest at both from service providers, who offer the regional and international level. uniform, high quality, children friendly, seamless service for
Chairman of the Coalition Against victims. Domestic Violence, Diana Mahabir feels that “there is need to extend and Treatment – child- expand the project , and it is most friendly physical important for government policy to facilities and safe reflect the findings of the study and accommodation for implement the recommendations.” children at risk of Child Sexual Abuse and incest.
The recommendations submitted at the end of the three-year project are crucial to effectively address the issue of child sexual abuse.
66 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 Professor Rhoda Reddock [HIGH SCHOOL DIARY]
This year, the watershed students went to their annual Grande Riviere for 3 days. One major focus was the leather-back turtle but we also studied the quality of life of the people in Grande Riviere Grande Riviere, the Grande Riviere watershed by testing various reaches: Watershed Student Report acidity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, nitrogen, velocity, etc. by Christie Sabga (ISPS)
On the first day, we studied the main river connecting to the ocean. We took observations of the banks of the river also. When you look at the river, you would think it at most shin deep. As a matter a fact, it was actually mid-waist high. We searched the river in search of little beasties called benthic macro invertebrates.
In the night, we went out to see the majestic turtles lay their eggs. I am personally not an animal person and to be honest, I actually fell in love with an animal. They were so precise with Nesting Leatherback Turtle, Trinidad PHOTO BY: REBECCAPHOTO BY: WALCOTT the way they shoveled out the sand to make the egg chamber. I wanted to drinking by the corner of a street. The Salybia beach got cancelled, but we still take one home as a pet! older people think it is “bringing down” got to go to the Galera Point lighthouse. the next generation of the people in We got a lecture there and we learned a The next day, we headed out for a long the community. Otherwise, the people few facts at the end of the day. hard hike. Each person had a choice were very happy with the life they had of a hard, medium or easy hike. With a there! Did you know that Galera Point has the guide, we headed into the forests and purest and cleanest air in the world? It’s took both qualitative and quantitative That night, we got to create poems a proven and tested fact! observations along the path. We got to about our observations in Grande taste cocoa from the estates, and swim Riviere. Students wrote about the Now following up, we are comparing in the river. It was so beautiful to see leather-back turtles and the way people Grande Riviere and our close by water- the water rapids move slowly over the lived there. At the end of the night, shed of Cuesa River and St. Ann’s (which rocks. Liam Byrden won the poetry slam. The we’ve been studying for a very long chorus of his poem/song was very time!) On that same day, we went out in catchy: groups to interview some of the It was an enjoyable trip that I would community members about their “Grande Riviere, O yeh, O yeh, definitely do it again someday! I fully way of living. Many of the residents Grande Riviere, O yeh O yeh!” recommend it for a family trip because were very pleased with the very low it is a true wonder that might not be crime rate. Although, there were some The next morning we were up early. We here much longer! complaints about some of the youths in packed-up really fast and headed out in Article Courtesy: The International School of Port the community, “liming”, smoking and the rain. Our testing and swimming at of Spain Newsletter 2012 www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 67 [HIGH SCHOOL DIARY]
All smiles: Market Head, Personal Banking, RBC (Trinidad and Tobago) Mrs Arvinder Bharath presents the notable award to RBC Young Leader, Kavita Ramadhar. Parvati College Tops RBC Young Leaders
parvaTi college successfully built The competition, which ran across the upon last year’s second place finish country, was once again intense and as they edged out the competition, all participating schools were guided impressed the judges and eventually by the theme Climate Change: Global nabbed the Award of Distinction Phenomenon; Community Solutions. at the annual RBC Young Leaders In the end, the talented young women Awards ceremony, which took place of Parvati College topped Naparima on Wednesday June 6, at the Lord Girls’ High School, who came in second, Kitchener Auditorium at the National and Fyzabad Anglican Secondary and Academy for the Performing Arts Malick Secondary, who tied for third (nAPA), Keate Street, Port of Spain. place.
68 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 [HIGH SCHOOL DIARY]
Other notable awardees were Kavita Ramadhar of Naparina Girls’ College who won the Stephon lashley Award for Most Outstanding Young Leader; and Diego Martin Central Secondary School who won the Judges’ Award.
Receiving Awards of Honour for participation were:
• Arima north Secondary School • brazil Secondary School • Cowen hamilton Secondary School Winners: Students and teachers of Parvati Girls’ Hindu College celebrate their achievement and receive the RBC Young Leaders Challenge Cup and Award of Distinction. They are joined by (left to right) Arvinder • Scarborough Secondary School Bharath, Market Head, Personal Banking, RBC Royal Bank; Michael Detje, Chief Financial Officer, • St. Anthony’s College Caribbean Banking , RBC; The Honourable Clifton De Couteau, Minister in the Ministry of Education; • St. Joseph Convent, St. Joseph Patrick Kelly, Market Head, Business Banking, RBC Royal Bank; and Harriett Thornhill, Regional President, Personal Banking, Caribbean Banking, RBC. • St. Joseph Convent, Port of Spain • Success laventille Secondary School “Today, almost 30 years and more than 150,000
Also in attendance were Minister in the students later, the RBC Young Leaders programme Ministry of Education, the Honourable continues to develop leadership capabilities in Clifton DeCouteau and former First Lady Mrs. Zalayhar hassanali. young people and positively influence secondary school students between the ages of 14 and 17 Feature remarks were delivered by Dr. across Trinidad and Tobago.” Shirin haque, Senior lecturer and Astronomer at The University of the West Indies. By successfully tapping youthful energy, provoking opinion, and inspiring young In delivering remarks on RBC’s behalf, minds to become Young Leaders, the newly appointed Market Head, Business annual programme continues to be Banking, Patrick Kelly urged all of this well-received and much anticipated as year’s Young Leaders to use their time it instils an appreciation for teamwork, in the programme as a foundation communication, creativity and problem upon which to build their futures. solving in the pursuit of common goals; fosters care for community and the Today, almost 30 years and more environment; and strengthens the social, than 150,000 students later, the RBC moral and economic well-being of the Young Leaders programme continues community. to develop leadership capabilities in young people and positively influence The new theme for the 2012/2013 Young secondary school students between Leaders programme was also launched the ages of 14 and 17 across Trinidad and challenges the 2013 Young Leaders and Tobago. to:- Be the Change. www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 69 [SPORT]
The uwi sT. augusTine Volleyball Team travelled to St. Lucia from the 24-30 May, 2012 with three objectives; A Volley to initiate a volleyball exchange programme; to develop their volleyball in St Lucia knowledge and skills; and to conduct By Karen Wickham an outreach programme.
The tour was well received by officials from the Ministry of Sport, the St. Lucia Volleyball Association and the Ministry of Education.
The team visited Morne Fortune, one of the principal battle grounds between the French and the British for possession of St. Lucia and the remains of Fort Charlotte, where the Sir Arthur The UWI Volleyball team Lewis Community College is located. the Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School Two of our UWI Volleyball athletes, Following the sightseeing day there against Le Club Volleyball Men’s and Lee Leon and Kervin Jean, both St. was an early morning coaching Women’s Teams. The women lost 3-2 Lucian citizens, must be acknowledged exchange session at the Beausejour and the men won 3-0. for their hard work in making the Indoor Facility with former St. Lucia arrangements in St. Lucia for this tour. national coach, Terry Verdant, and his To enhance their theoretical knowledge The majority of this tour was funded by team, Dig Set Point. Mr. Ali and Mr. of the game, a FIVB Game Rules personal funds of the athletes, donation Verdant coached the combined teams Seminar was facilitated by a local FIVB cards from the Sport and Physical for two hours. This gave both teams International Referee, Wendell Baptiste. Education Centre (SPEC) and corporate an opportunity to experience different sponsorships that were all solicited coaching styles as well as to mingle and One of the highlights was the Kids by the athletes themselves with the get acquainted. Clinic facilitated by The UWI team at a assistance of SPEC. basketball court in the Mabouya Valley The UWI team played two games for primary school students from five The team was accompanied by during their stay in St. Lucia, but rain different schools in the Mabouya Valley their Coach, Macsood Ali and Sports washed-out the third. The first game and Ciceron area. Approximately 70 Coordinator, Karen Wickham. was at the Vigie Sports Complex in children attended the clinic, which Castries, against Jetsetters Volleyball lasted four hours. They had never been Men’s and Women’s Teams. The women exposed to volleyball before, as this won their game 3-0 and the men lost sport is more popular in the urban areas 3-2. The second game was played at of the island.
70 sTan APRIL – JUNE 2012 [ QUOTABLE QUOTES ]
ON RECYCLING “… it’s been estimated that there’s a pool of plastics in the North Atlantic that would stretch from Cuba to Washington DC. That’s how much rubbish there is in the sea and most of it is plastics. It’s a major problem and all that it requires is for us as individuals to put our bottles into the recycling bins.”
UWI Professor Andrew lawrence speaking on the importance of recycling during the “Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll: Biorhythms, Biodiversity, Bioprospecting and Sustainable Development Opportunities for the Caribbean” lecture at UWI on September 30th, 2010.
ON INDEPENDENCE “The Caribbean Community needs Trinidad and Tobago not just as a player but as a leader – an intellectual leader most of all.”
Sir Shridath Ramphal, former UWI Chancellor expounded in the feature address “Labouring in the Vineyard” which was presented at the annual Dr. Eric Williams Memorial Lecture, Central Bank, Trinidad, on 26th May 2012. (You may read the speech in the next issue of UWI STAN).
ON CRICKET “So much of life is reflected in sport…West Indies, perhaps, can no longer be accused of being in decline; they have simply settled into a permanent beach-chair recline - the decline and fall of Test Cricket.”
Rahul bhattacharya, the author of “The Sly Company of People Who Care” during a lecture at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest 2012.
www.sta.uwi.edu/stan APRIL – JUNE 2012 sTan 71 UWI CoVer STAN PhoTo2012 COMpetitiOn
Become the next UWI STAN cover PhoTograPher sTar
We welcome entries to the second UWI STAN Cover Photo competition for students and staff. The New Year brings bigger, better prizes and an opportunity for you to share your image of UWI with us. We’re looking for high quality digital photos that focus on what you like about UWI Life.
You could WIN 1st prize: tt $4,000 2nd prize: tt $1,500 3rd prize: tt $1,000
Visit http://sta.uwi.edu/stan/ for details. compeTITIoN eNDS AUGUST 6, 2012