Dear Editor,
Many thanks to Ms Ameena Gafoor ( ‘Tarra tell tarra’ SN, 2.10.07) for exercising her vigilance on the question of tara (tarra). I consulted Phillip Allsopp’s edited masterpiece Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage prior to the publication of my letter. It appears the word can be used both ways. I used the form ‘tara.’ Here is the exact citation from Allsopp’s dictionary:
tara(tarra)/i’i/[‘tara]pron,adj;'(Belz, Guyn, Jmca) [AF-Cr] I. (SE) The other. John live tara side the canal.-(Belz) 2. [Preceded by ‘the’ in pronominal function] All sorts of things; every conceivable thing. Dacta fo’ de tara. (= Doctor for everything).-(Guyn) [CarA Cr > /tada/ < t'other, contracted form in Eng dial of 'the other" arrived at by folk etym. Cp DJE tarra]
Maybe Allan Fenty should have the last word.
Yours faithfully,
Nigel Westmaas
