Turks and Caicos' Languages

English-speaking travelers will feel right at home in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where English is the official language.

A large number of immigrants now call the Turks and Caicos home, and expatriates from the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Canada, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Scandinavia have helped diversify the islands.

The natives of the Turks and Caicos are called "Belongers" and may speak with their own dialect. Note some of these important phrases:

• Ga - Got/Have

• A - Of

• Tree - The number 3

• Gal - Girl

• I'een - I'm not

• Een - Is not

• Gee - Give

• Shut - Shirt

• I Gun - I'm going to

• Buck - To Meet/Met

• Hautun - Hurting

• Bailee - Stomach

• Big-Big - Very Large

• To Wok - At work

• Nose-Hole - Nose

• Good Night - Good Evening

Though the dialects might each sound a little different from town to town or island to island, knowing a few local expressions will add life to your visit and help you get around more easily in the Turks and Caicos.