TranslationDictionary 

When searching for a name for my web company I discovered that most of the popular names for materials websites had already been taken.  There's a library, a lab, a club - there's a hundred sites called English something or the other.

I wanted a name which was related to the process of language learning, which translated some of the excitement, adventure and reward that is involved and I also wanted to stress the importance of structure and form in communication. 

I knew it should be a name that had something to do with me/my life and that it'd be cool to have a name which was a little funky and unique.

Kalinago became that choice, because...well, for those of you who don’t know me yet, I’m from the Caribbean and

in 1492 Christopher Columbus

sailed the ocean blue…

Back then, Chris thought he had managed to reach India but actually the heavenly paradise(s) he encountered were populated by many different tribes. 

The ones which once lived on my island, Grenada, were known as the Kalinago.

An error in pronunciation by the Spanish explorers returning from the new world led to the noun Caribal, which gave rise to the word: Caribbean. 

And although we are proud of our name, Caribbean - West Indies is just plain annoying - our heritage and history (and even our Queen)...back then a new noun based on the word Caribal was introduced to the English vocabulary as a global misconception spread.

The European traders had needed a reason to justify the taking over of these islands and due to the religious, cultural and political situation of the 16^th and 17^th centuries, they were able to create an item of propaganda which excused the enforced removal of the original inhabitants.

This word still exists today and to many, this false concept based on mythology and scary stories designed to frighten children remains (just watch Pirates III), this word is:

cannibal.

Words are powerful, historical, full of meaning and proper usage of language is well, everything.  

Karenne, Feb2008
p.s. I hope you like my choice too ;-)