Childhood friends Emily Bodden and Brianna Wilson, who are currently attending college in two different countries, recently partnered with Kevin M. Goring to promote the Cayman Islands Dictionary©. Kevin is the author of the popular publication and also the creator of the Caymanology©  Collection.

Based on a philosophy that all things Caymanian should be studied, preserved and promoted, Caymanology© is a movement towards heightened cultural awareness and native pride in the Cayman Islands. Through specialty products and programs, Caymanology© will seek to educate, entertain, inspire and empower Caymanians in an effort to promote authentic Caymanian culture to residents and visitors. The Cayman Islands Dictionary© is the first official product release of the Caymanology© Collection, which Kevin hopes to expand throughout the year.

In late February 2012, Emily Bodden, a student at City College of New York (New York, USA), contacted Kevin M. Goring following several unsuccessful attempts to purchase the Cayman Islands Dictionary online. After a brief chat regarding the availability of the Dictionary, Kevin decided to offer Emily a complimentary copy in exchange for additional LIKE’s on the Caymanology©  Facebook page or followers on the @Caymanology© Twitter page. Emily rose to the challenge immediately, and within less than 24 hours, she encouraged a large number of her contacts to join Caymanology© via social media.

As part of the agreement with Emily and Brianna, Kevin requested brief testimonials of their experiences with the Dictionary and the significance of having one while studying overseas. While reflecting on her gift of Caymanian culture, Emily Bodden said; “The Cayman Islands Dictionary is now my home away from home! Each page is guaranteed to form smiles and create laughter. This book has been long awaited.”

Brianna echoed Emily’s excitement as she said; Receiving anything from home is a blessing, let alone an actual Cayman Dictionary!  I’ve been able to show my friends a little bit more about my culture, not to mention how much it makes me laugh!  Great idea, great presentation…the Cayman Islands Dictionary is GREAT!”

Since the social media drive, the momentum of new LIKEs and followers of Caymanology© has inspired additional fans and the numbers have grown nearly 300%; from 74 to over 215 today. Some of those fans are friends of Brianna and Emily, and many of them are in college as well.

Emily’s friend, Olivia Benjamin, learned about the Cayman Islands Dictionary during the social media drive and decided to purchase one while on vacation in Cayman during Spring Break. During her visit, she spent a day at the beach with a friend, taking in sun, sea and quality time with the Dictionary. Photos of the pair’s fun-filled afternoon were sent to Emily, who forwarded them to Kevin for archiving purposes.

As a satisfied consumer, Olivia was asked to share her opinion of the Dictionary and the impact it made on her during the recent visit. “I think it’s awesome that someone came up with such a great idea of putting this part of the Caymanian culture down on paper. It will never be forgotten and can be saved for future generations. I’m learning a lot of words that I never knew myself!” she said.

 

For more information on upcoming projects, interested parties can become a fan of the official Caymanology© Facebook fan page, follow ‘@Caymanology’ on Twitter, text to 345.929.8949 or email: [email protected].

 

The Cayman Islands Dictionary© is currently available at the following authorized retailers:

 

• Books & Books, Camana Bay
• Da Swanky Shack – On the Waterfront next to Hammerheads
• Foster’s Food Fair – Airport Centre
• Foster’s Food Fair – Countryside Shopping Village
• Foster’s Food Fair – Morritts East End
• Foster’s Food Fair – Republix, West Bay
• Foster’s Food Fair – The Strand Shopping Center
• Hobbies & Books
• Hurley’s Supermarket – Grand Harbour
• Kirk Supermarket
• Kirkconnell Supermarket – Cayman Brac
• McLaughlin Rentals – Little Cayman

 

*The Cayman Islands Dictionary© is a protected copyright currently owned by Kevin M. Goring.