The Master of Arts (M.A) in Carnival Studies at The University of Trinidad and Tobago’s (UTT’s) Academy of Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs, has since 2011, created a space for the graduate level training of persons poised to make a positive impact through cultural and intellectual intercession. By guiding an exploration of Culture, Carnival Arts, History, Policy-making and Entrepreneurship, this Programme, through our graduates has affected communities. One such graduate is current Doctoral Candidate Ms. Claudette Sinnette, whose work in the area of Patois Research and its resurgence is having a recognisable effect even beyond her own Paramin community. 

Ms. Sinnette is a retired teacher, who continues her vocation through the practice of Traditional Mas. She is the leader of a minstrel band and performs as a Pierrot Grenade. These practices would clearly have been influenced and further informed by her experience in the M.A. Carnival Studies Programme. Due in part to her insightful work, these valuable cultural retentions continue to find a home in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, and perhaps even more importantly with those young persons who have shown an interest in carrying on the traditions.

The cultural retention which has truly taken root in Ms. Sinnette’s heart is that of the language of Trinidad Patois. In her Carnival Studies research, ‘The Influence of Patois in Trinidad and Tobago: The case of Paramin’, Ms. Sinnette was able to critically analyse the connections between Trinidad’s Carnival, its history of resistance and resilience and the beautiful Patois, which was one of the sacrifices of the peoples’ struggle. Through her work, Ms. Sinnette is now actively involved in a number of programmes aimed at revitalising this language, which is native to this land and indeed many islands across the Caribbean. 

The University of Trinidad and Tobago takes tremendous pride in supplying to our national community, the region and indeed the world, researchers, students, teachers and practitioners like Ms. Claudette Sinnette, who answer the call made in the University’s mission to enhance the lives of communities of Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the Caribbean.

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