Guyanese People Shocked When I Speak Their English-Based Language

Published 2023-12-06
Go to buyraycon.com/xiaomanyc to get 15% off your Raycon purchase this holiday season! Brought to you by Raycon. Guyana is famous for being the only English speaking country in South America but its residents actually code switch between Standard English and Guyanese Creole, which is often dismissed as “broken English” but which in reality has its own rules just like any other language. And while it is quite similar to English it’s only partially intelligible to most other native English speakers, and so I recently visited New York City’s Little Guyana to see what people would think of my Guyanese Creole. You’ll notice a lot of Indian stuff in this video as well because almost half of Guyanese people can trace their roots to India.

0:00 Introduction
0:39 Sponsored by Raycon
1:52 "Are you Guyanese?!"
4:41 "Are you from Guyana?"
6:24 Ordering from a Guyanese food truck
7:45 She thought I worked there!
8:59 Grocery shopping for Guyanese food
10:22 Buying a necklace and incense
11:02 They gave me free food when I spoke their language
11:44 Trying popular Guyanese foods

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All Comments (21)
  • @xiaomanyc
    Go to buyraycon.com/xiaomanyc to get 15% off your Raycon purchase this holiday season! Brought to you by Raycon. What are some holiday ideas you guys have for me???
  • @ParagonChumba
    Peace for the Guyanese people!! May they maintain their freedoms.
  • @jables9527
    One of the things I appreciate most about Xiaoma's video's is how he can find every culture of the languages he speaks nestled within NYC. How amazing is it that so many people from differing countries can live and work alongside each other despite their cultural differences. It truly makes me proud to to be American. 🇺🇸 🤝🇬🇾
  • @alexcortez24
    what i love about xiaoma is he learns the language AND the culture. whether it be the most popular drink etc and has genuine conversations w people, unlike other youtubers who go up to people and assume their ethnicity and just start talking to them. the fact that xiaoma actually cares and learns is what sets him apart from other polyglot creators.
  • @nerd26373
    Guyana sure seems like a country we need to hear more from. Their cultures and traditions are unique and distinct from all other known countries around the world.
  • @jimdolen225
    In an age of hatred and distrust it's so refreshing to be able to celebrate different cultures and languages.
  • @thatbajanone
    As a Caribbean person this made me so happy! We generally understand each other within the Caribbean (once you get past the accents) if you speak an English Creole language as our creoles fall within the same Caribbean Creole language family. Thank you for shedding light on our way of speaking! OMG he even says the word New York like a Guyanese LOL
  • @karanramphal3069
    I’m a first generation American of Guyanese descent and I’m from NYC, this video hits home in so many ways. I even visited Guyana for the first time in my life this year, this is so cool!
  • @bogart.187
    As a Venezuelan, love you people. I wish my country could find peace.
  • @aidenblow59
    as the child of a guyanese immigrant, this is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! love you xiaoma!!
  • @baviation1872
    Xiaoma is the ONLY person who can post "shocking locals" titles and not sound corny. He’s earned it 😂
  • @sosiahmagn1665
    Ive watched your videos for years, glad to see you try my cultures language 🇬🇾
  • @LilChuunosuke
    I feel like you're one of the only polyglots out here that speaks creole languages! These languages are so often and so easily dismissed as uneducated, unsophisticated English. I LOVE seeing you give these languages the love and attention they deserve.
  • @Schoritzobandit
    Insane timing on the Guyanese video, like right after it's in international news for the first time in ages
  • Shoutout Xiaoma for recognizing creoles! I never had any expectations otherwise given his clear love of learning and languages, but it's still great to see :)
  • @SleepySuperhero
    I love that I get a cultural and historical lesson while watching you surprise people. I never knew that South America had a place with a big India population. Cheers and best in your adventures!
  • @Semiotichazey
    Funny, my wife is Guyanese and we had saltfish and bake last night. One of my favorite of her dishes. I've had some good times is Guyana, as well as "Little Guyana" which we mostly just refer to as Richmond Hill. As for Venezuela, they've been wanting a piece of Guyana for longer than we've been alive, and it's not going to happen...especially considering that Guyana is an American ally that has recently uncovered significant new oil reserves. There's a very old song about the relationship between the two countries called Not One Blade of Grass; the title says it all!
  • @mala3167
    As a Guyanese-American, I love this video so much ❤ thank you for taking the time to learn the accent