Dear Editor: The problem ‘Trinbago’ doesn’t solve in expressing nationality for T&T

EPL Infrafred Sauna

“[…] If Trinbago was really filling the need for a nationally unifying word, you would expect Tobagonians to be using it as well. They don’t. I’ve not met a Tobagonian who uses the term—and that’s not surprising because, in case you haven’t noticed, Tobagonians have been trying really hard to stand apart from Trinidad. 

“[…] Trinbagonian couldn’t work for Tobagonians anyway because it suggests Tobago as a flavour or derivative of Trinidad, which it is not…”

The following Letter to the Editor on the search for an inoffensive shorthand that suits Trinidad and Tobago citizens was submitted anonymously to Wired868 by “A Proud Trinidadian who loves Tobago”:

Photo: Trinbago Knight Riders fans get behind their team during CPL action against the Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen’s Park Oval, POS on 5 September 2018.
(Copyright Sean Morrison/ Wired868)

The problem is that we don’t have one word to stand for the union of our two islands, and some find it offensive that people use Trinidad as shorthand for the unwieldy Trinidad and Tobago. 

This definitely happens, but most people get that Tobago is understood when omitted, especially when intended audiences are local and quite aware of the context—that Trinidad, as the seat of government, is often singularly responsible for the issue discussed. 


We also miss a nationality adjective that encompasses our two islands. As a consequence of including both islands in our nation’s name, we have three ways of expressing nationality: Trinidadian, Tobagonian and the uninspiring Citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, with only the last capturing our shared unity but inspiring neither patriotic zeal nor lyrical licence. 

No wonder David Rudder and Carl Jacobs sang “Trini to de bone,” even though the Ian Wiltshire-written song celebrates sweet, sweet T&T. 

Convenient, it would have been, if our country was named for only one of our two islands—in the same way Hawaii stands for the Hawaiian archipelago, or the province of Holland stands for the whole country. But that ship has sailed and such a change now would certainly leave one island quite unhappy. 

Photo: Iconic Trinidad and Tobago bards David Rudder (right) and Carl Jacobs (centre) sing hit tune Trini to the Bone.
(via Trinidad Newsday)

Meanwhile, we’ve all learned how to communicate our country, Trinidad and Tobago, separate from our identity as a Trinidadian or Tobagonian. But if we really want one name to stand for our two islands, the word “Trinbago” is a poor candidate for two reasons.

Trinbago is a Frankenstein of a word. 

Like the real monster, it’s been fashioned together from dismembered parts—in this case, from two beautiful names: Trinidad and Tobago. And if the metaphor doesn’t work for you, maybe you can relate to the real life experience of good-looking parents creating an ugly child. That is the word Trinbago, and its equally unattractive derivative, “Trinbagonian”. 

I know not everyone will agree, but I contend that’s more because they’ve simply grown accustomed to hearing the word. Then again, some people like caraille, and many enjoy ketchup on pizza. 

Photo: Then Trinbago Knight Riders skipper Dwayne Bravo (centre, front row) with match-winner Kevon Cooper at his back, celebrates his team’s capture of their second CPL title after they defeated the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the final at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on 9 September 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/ Wired868)

In other words, there’s no accounting for taste, and we can’t convince people about what they should or shouldn’t like—so let’s turn to the other reason Trinbago doesn’t work. 

Trinidadians are the only ones using it.

If Trinbago was really filling the need for a nationally unifying word, you would expect Tobagonians to be using it as well. They don’t. I’ve not met a Tobagonian who uses the term—and that’s not surprising because, in case you haven’t noticed, Tobagonians have been trying really hard to stand apart from Trinidad. 

They’re not separatists but they are progressive and proud to be Tobagonians, not Trinbagonians. And there’s nothing wrong with that. 

Trinbagonian couldn’t work for Tobagonians anyway because it suggests Tobago as a flavour or derivative of Trinidad, which it is not. 

Photo: Tobago Heritage Dance Performers strut their stuff at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet during the 2015 Legends Football tournament.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/ Wired868)

Certainly, let’s invent or find a new word that doesn’t favour either island, in the same way that Dutch works for citizens of the Netherlands. I would strongly support such a new name, even if unofficial, as a sign of a rebirth—a Phoenix rising from the ashes—that our nation sorely needs.

But in the meantime Trinis, let’s retire Trinbago. Let Tobagonians be proud Tobagonians, with their own distinct culture, and values, charting their future alongside their Trinidadian brothers and sisters. 

We don’t need the vocabulary car accident of “Trinbago” to prove we belong to the same country, or that Trinidadians love Tobago. 

Let’s just help them to be self-sufficient, visit more often, and be respectful when we do. 

Wired868 has provided readers with solid, independent journalism since 2012.  If you appreciate our work, please contribute to our efforts. 

Support Independent Journalism

More from Wired868
Dear Editor: 1% ordering what they can’t eat by weakening Industrial Court

“[…] What do the employers and the one percent want? The objective is to maximise their profits by minimising their Read more

Dear Editor: Stand your ground law may be unnecessary, but it can help

“[…] An individual is not precluded from raising self-defence merely because he/she has not retreated; rather, a failure to retreat Read more

Orin: The risks of lighting them up—and pro-gun soundbites

“[…] Earlier this year, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said that 25,000 citizens have licensed firearms. Some will therefore face Read more

Dear Editor: Why I’m wary of triumvirate of Griffith, Warner and Kamla

“[…] We now have the triumvirate or the three-headed Hydra of Gary Griffith, Jack Warner and Kamla Persad-Bissessar. One was Read more

Dear Editor: T&T blundered by not following “best practices” on Procurement legislation

“[…] The PS suggested that the powers-that-be were hell-bent on adopting this most unsuitable legislation to please a very well-meaning, Read more

Dear Editor: Enlightened Trinity College students taught nation a valuable lesson

“[…] Some of our citizens, unfortunately, seem to hold the view that the natural hair type of students of African Read more

About Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor
Want to share your thoughts with Wired868? Email us at editor@wired868.com. Please keep your letter between 300 to 600 words and be sure to read it over first for typos and punctuation. We don't publish anonymously unless there is a good reason, such as an obvious threat of harassment or job loss.

Check Also

Dear Editor: 1% ordering what they can’t eat by weakening Industrial Court

“[…] What do the employers and the one percent want? The objective is to maximise …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.