Carolyn Cooper | So much to pree in Kingston!

The rather confident “general assistant bot” on poe.com gives this account of the origin and definition of the word ‘pree’: “In Jamaican slang, the word ‘pree’ is derived from the English word ‘peer’ and is used to mean ‘to look at’ or ‘to observe.’ It is often used in the context of paying attention to or checking out something or someone. For example, ‘Mi a pree di vibes’ could translate to ‘I’m checking out the vibes’ or ‘I’m observing the atmosphere.’”

The bot got the meaning of the word right, more or less. But the origin seems suspect. The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines ‘peer’ in this way: “look with difficulty or concentration at someone or something.” The meaning of the English word ‘peer’ is not quite the same as the Jamaican ‘pree.’ Concentration, yes! Difficulty, no! Pree-ers find it quite easy to concentrate on the object of their attention.

Instead of depending on a foreign bot to give me an accurate explanation of the origin of ‘pree,’ I asked a human being, Dr Joseph Farquharson, head of the Jamaican Language Unit at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. He speculates that, “Prii is most likely derived from English ‘preview’ and can probably be linked to television shows and movies which give viewers a taste of what is to come.”

Yu see how Joseph a show off pon mi wid di prapa-prapa spelling of chaka-chaka ‘pree’! Understandably so! He’s a linguist, specialising in lexicography, the writing of dictionaries. Joseph is the Chief Editor of the Dictionary of the Jamaican Language which is in production. He explains that, “It will include all words and meanings Jamaicans use, regardless of their origin.”

Unlike the know-it-all “general assistant bot,” Joseph was quite cautious in his response to my question about ‘prii.’ “Most likely” and “probably” signal that he is not speaking definitively, despite his expertise. Sounds familiar? Foreigners – bots and all – have a way of presuming to define us and our culture with complete authority. Wid dem bright self!

CULTURAL POLITICS

In April 2018, the online literary magazine, PREE, was launched in Kingston. It was Dr Isis Semaj-Hall, a lecturer in the Department of Literatures in English at UWI, Mona, who dubbed the magazine with its artful name. A literary magazine that brands itself with a word that’s popular in Jamaican dancehall culture is obviously making a profound statement about cultural politics.

The magazine was co-founded by Annie Paul, an editor by profession; Diana McCaulay, an award-winning novelist and environmentalist; Sharmaine Lovegrove, co-founder of Dialogue Books; and Isis Semaj-Hall. For the first issue, Isis wrote a most entertaining essay, “A Brief History of the Word ‘Pree.’” The title seemed to pay ironic homage to Marlon James’ 2014 novel, A Brief History of Seven Killings, which is anything but brief. Isis acknowledges the culture-specific roots of the word:

“Pree is a Jamaican word. Press play on any dancehall song and you’ll hear a boastful deejay chatting about which ‘hot gyal ah pree him’ or how ‘im a pree di money’ or how ‘im nuh pree badmind people.’ . . . When someone says pree, it is not a request; it is a gentle command that the listener take notice of something or someone new, important, significant.”

“POP VERBAL STYLE”

In the six years since the inception of PREE, the magazine has decidedly proven its importance and significance. It’s a distinctive open access digital platform for new writing from the Caribbean. Many creatives have responded to PREE’s engaging invitation: “If you want to flex your writing muscle on subjects ranging from literature, art and politics, to gender, technology, race and popular culture, PREE provides the space for it. If you want to pop verbal style, flip the script or boldly invent new metaphors whether in prose, drama or poetry this is where you do it.”

This week, the PREE writing studio will be hosted on the UWI campus. The tutors are the formidable Caribbean writers Garnette Cadogan, Ishion Hutchinson, Kei Miller, Ingrid Persaud, Shivanee Ramlochan and Leone Ross. Sharmaine Lovegrove will tutor on publishing. On May 27 and 28 there will be readings and discussions with these eminent writers at 10A West King’s House Road. The public is invited and admission is free.

On Monday, at 7:00 p.m, Ingrid Persaud will celebrate the Jamaica launch of her novel, The Lost Loves of Boysie Singh, in conversation with Diana McCaulay. At 8:00, there will be readings by Ishion Hutchinson, Kei Miller, Shivanee Ramlochan and Leone Ross. Sharmaine Lovegrove will speak on getting published.

On Tuesday at 7:00, Kei Miller will converse with the distinguished novelist and historical sociologist Erna Brodber on “De-Slaving Information.” The panel at 8:00 will open with a reading by essayist and journalist Garnette Cardogan. This will be followed by a discussion with him; literary critic Nadi Edwards; novelist Roland Watson-Grant; and Annie Paul on the question, “Whither the Caribbean Essay Tradition?”

The “Dubbing 62” exhibition of paintings on vinyl by Matthew McCarthy, curated by Kerry Chen, is at 10A until May 31. Another brilliant exhibition is Raymond Watson’s sculptures and drawings at CreativSpace on Laws Street, also up until May 31. He’s giving a talk today at 12:00 about his work. The Kingston Creative Artwalk Festival is on today, featuring “Cinema Kingston.”

In the good old days of the annual Calabash International Literary Festival, co-founded by Justine Henzell, Kwame Dawes and Colin Channer, many of us would be in Treasure Beach for the final Sunday event. Thanks to PREE, we’re not suffering from withdrawal symptoms this off year. The Calabash spirit comes to town at 10A, the former home of the Henzells. Pree dat!

Carolyn Cooper, PhD, is a teacher of English language and literature and a specialist on culture and development. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and karokupa@gmail.com