Tanti at the Oval

The piece ‘Tanti at the Oval’ by Paul Keens Douglas is both comedic and educating as it explored a journey to a cricket match. Mr. Keens Douglas is a Trinidadian writer and oral performer he has written and recorded many works in his career and continues to do so. He is unlike any other performer in Trinidad as he expressed in an interview with the Guardian newspaper that he is not doing it just for the money1. He is also very cultural as he states in the interview as well that he does not believe in extravagant television ads and sponsorship as these kill culture. His love for his culture is clearly heard in all of his works as he uses dialect when performing. The piece clearly shows the integration of Caribbean islands through the sport of cricket and migration within Caribbean countries. In addition, it is also observed that clear distinctions of generations are understood. The piece also emphasizes patriotism and an effective use of dialect to enable listeners to not only be educated but entertained as well.

Firstly, the piece shows how the Caribbean islands are integrated through cricket, various phrases used indicated how deep of an impact cricket has on the Caribbean. In the beginning of the piece the author is clearly upset that he has to carry Tanti along to the oval with him. He exclaims that an important match is taking place and that Tanti Merle can listen to the match on radio or view it on the television2. This shows that cricket is such an important sport to Caribbean people that it can be seen or heard on various types of media and that one does not have to go to the live match to enjoy the game. Also, the match consisted of the combined islands versus Trinidad. The combined islands are a mixture of different Caribbean islands playing on the same team.

Secondly, it is clearly noted that Tanti Merle is a Vincentian who has resided in Trinidad because of her daughter who is married to a Trinidadian. This shows the migration of Caribbean...