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Timoun se moun
Meaning
This expression means children are people too.
It reminds us that children have feelings, needs, opinions, and dignity. Therefore, adults should treat them with care, respect, and consideration rather than dismissing them simply because they are young.
Translation: Children are people too.
Literal Meaning: Children are people.
Word Note: The Haitian Creole word timoun means child or children. Although the word is historically connected to the idea of a little person, modern speakers understand timoun as one complete word.
Example 1
Anèl, pa rele sou ti gason an konsa, tande? Sonje timoun se moun.
Anèl, don't yell at the boy like that, okay? Remember, children are people too.
Example 2
Nou dwe prepare aktivite pou timoun yo tou. Yo dwe pran plezi nan fèt la, paske timoun se moun!
We need to prepare activities for the children too. They should enjoy the celebration as well, because children are people too!
A Reminder to Respect Children
You can use Timoun se moun when reminding someone to consider a child's feelings, needs, safety, comfort, or point of view.
For example, you might use it when a child is being yelled at, humiliated, ignored, excluded, or treated unfairly simply because of their age.
The expression can also encourage adults to listen to children, explain decisions to them in an age-appropriate way, and include them when planning activities that affect them.
It does not mean that children and adults have identical roles or responsibilities. Rather, it emphasizes that being young does not make a child's feelings or dignity unimportant.
Depending on the situation, the expression may be translated as Children are people too, Children have feelings too, or Children deserve respect too.