Bajan in 5 blog

Bajan related apps 

The main screen for the Bajan Lingo Android OS app

Apps are the in thing when it comes to smart phones and tablets. Apple has its App Store, Blackberry has its Blackberry App world and Android has Google Play (formally the Android Market). Unfortunately application development has not been looked at a lot in Barbados. The Nation Publishing Company Ltd does have an application for the Blackberry platform available for download but this is one of the few locally developed apps.

The majority of smart phone users in Barbados are utilising the Blackberry platform and in terms of application development, apps developed for Blackberry are far fewer than those for market leading Apple OS and second place Android OS. While application development in Barbados is still in the infancy stage there have been Barbados related apps that have been developed in other countries.

Over the next few weeks the Bajan in 5 blog will look at some of the Barbados related apps which are available on Android’s Google Play.

The first is an app entitled “Bajan Lingo” which is developed by GCT Labs. This app is your portable source to Bajan sayings and phrases. Popular phrases such as “plaster for every sore (an excuse for every situation)” and “wha gine on? (a greeting saying how are you doing?)” are included in this app.

The app provides access to Bajan words and phrases on the go

The app provides a Bajan word or phrase for the day and also allows users the option to look for words and phrases alphabetically by letter. It is a great little app to have on your phone and with it you can ensure you always have a piece of Barbadiana with you, even if you are “ova an’ away (overseas)”. Best of all, the app is free to download from Google Play.

A downside to this app is that unlike some translation apps, there is no audio option which would allow you to hear the words or phrases being pronounced. That would have been a great addition and hopefully a feature that would be added in any update that may be done.

Bajan in 5 blog gives the “Bajan Lingo” Google Play app 4 out of 5 Coconuts.