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English to Jamaican Language: A Deep Dive into Patois and its Nuances
Want to understand the vibrant rhythm and unique expressions of Jamaican Patois? This comprehensive guide delves into the fascinating relationship between English and the Jamaican language, exploring its origins, variations, and how to navigate the complexities of translation. We'll uncover the beauty and richness of Jamaican Creole, offering practical tips and insights for anyone looking to bridge the linguistic gap.
Understanding the Jamaican Language: More Than Just a Dialect
The term "Jamaican language" often refers to Jamaican Patois (also known as Jamaican Creole), a vibrant and dynamic creole language born from a blend of English, West African languages, and other European influences. It's crucial to understand that it’s not simply "broken English"—it's a distinct linguistic system with its own grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation rules. Dismissing it as such diminishes the rich cultural heritage it represents.
#### The History Behind the Language
The development of Jamaican Patois is deeply rooted in Jamaica's colonial history. The arrival of enslaved Africans led to the creation of a pidgin language—a simplified communication system—for interaction with English speakers. Over generations, this pidgin evolved into a fully-fledged creole language, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that shaped Jamaican society.
#### Key Differences Between English and Jamaican Patois
One of the biggest challenges in translating between English and Jamaican Patois lies in their fundamental differences. These differences extend beyond just vocabulary:
##### 1. Pronunciation:
English pronunciation rules often don't apply. Sounds are altered, syllables are stressed differently, and the rhythm of speech is distinctly unique. Words like "water" might sound more like "wata," and "mother" could become "muhda."
##### 2. Grammar:
Jamaican Patois boasts a unique grammatical structure. Word order can differ significantly from English, and verb conjugations are simplified. Tense and aspect are often conveyed through context and specific particles, leading to variations in sentence construction.
##### 3. Vocabulary:
A significant portion of Jamaican Patois vocabulary is unique and doesn't have direct English equivalents. Many words are derived from West African languages, creating a colorful lexicon filled with vivid imagery and expressive terms.
Navigating the Translation Challenges: English to Jamaican Patois
Translating directly between English and Jamaican Patois requires more than just a dictionary. It necessitates a deep understanding of the cultural context, the subtle nuances of meaning, and the intricacies of the language's structure. A literal translation often misses the essence and can even sound nonsensical.
#### Tips for Effective Translation:
Context is Key: The meaning of a word or phrase in Jamaican Patois can heavily depend on the context of the conversation.
Listen and Observe: Immerse yourself in the language by listening to native speakers and observing how they use it in everyday life.
Utilize Resources: While online translation tools can offer a starting point, they often fall short. Consult dictionaries specializing in Jamaican Patois and engage with native speakers for accurate translations.
Embrace the Nuances: Don't be afraid to capture the spirit and rhythm of the language, even if it means deviating from a strictly literal translation.
The Cultural Significance of Jamaican Patois
Jamaican Patois is more than just a means of communication; it's an integral part of Jamaican identity and cultural heritage. It reflects the resilience, creativity, and rich history of the Jamaican people. Preserving and celebrating this language is crucial for maintaining cultural diversity and understanding.
Conclusion
Mastering the nuances of translating between English and Jamaican Patois is a journey of discovery. It demands patience, a willingness to learn, and a deep appreciation for the cultural richness embedded within the language. By understanding the historical context, grammatical structures, and unique vocabulary, we can bridge the linguistic gap and truly appreciate the vibrant tapestry of Jamaican communication.
FAQs
1. Are there any formal courses available to learn Jamaican Patois? Yes, several universities and language schools offer courses, both online and in-person, focusing on Jamaican Creole.
2. Can I use online translation tools for accurate English to Jamaican Patois translation? Online translators can be helpful for basic vocabulary, but they often lack the nuanced understanding required for accurate and culturally appropriate translation. They should be used cautiously and supplemented with other resources.
3. Is Jamaican Patois officially recognized as a language? While not an official language of Jamaica (English holds that status), Jamaican Patois holds significant cultural and social importance and is increasingly recognized for its linguistic validity.
4. How does the use of Jamaican Patois vary across different regions of Jamaica? There are regional variations in vocabulary, pronunciation, and even grammar, reflecting the diverse cultural landscape of the island.
5. What are some good resources for learning more about Jamaican Patois? Look for dictionaries specifically dedicated to Jamaican Creole, linguistic studies on Jamaican Patois, and immersion through media like music, film, and literature in the language.
| english to jamaican language: From Jamaican Creole to Standard English Velma Pollard, 2003 This guide indicates the ways in which Jamaican Creole differs from Standard Jamaican English. It is organized into four sections: words that look alike but mean different thing; words that are different but mean the same things; grammatical structures that are different but convey the same information; and idiomatic Speech or writing. |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaicasaurus Joseph Farquharson, Byron Jones, Anton Wilson-Shim, Julie Malcolm, Larry Chang, Eric Rosenfeld, 2018-06-19 This book functions as both a translation dictionary and a thesaurus. With 3,781 entries and 14,000 translations and synonyms, it is not only the first translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican Creole (Patois), but also the first book that can function as a Jamaican thesaurus. The Jamaicasaurus is thus an essential resource for anyone interested in Jamaican culture and language, whether local or foreigner, as it marks a new milestone for this dialect of increasing global interest while also serving native speakers searching for alternate words and expressions, recent slang, and old terms from the past. To use this book as a thesaurus, simply look up the English equivalent of the Jamaican word or phrase you have in mind to see the various Jamaican synonyms listed. The appendix at the back of the book additionally features lists of Jamaican expletives and exclamations, from mild to vulgar; odd curiosities; and the local Jamaican names for 278 important species of plants and trees used in Jamaica for food, medicine, and cultural purposes (listed by scientific name first). Furthermore, and quite importantly, the Jamaicasaurus bridges the gap between the common English-based way of writing Patois words and the Cassidy-JLU (or 'Jamiekan') system developed by Jamaican linguists to more consistently and accurately represent how those words really sound. This version of the book uses that latter format, the Jamiekan format. It's easy to learn and worth trying. Another edition of the Jamaicasaurus, featuring common English-based spellings, is also available. It has a black cover. |
| english to jamaican language: Dictionary of Jamaican English Frederic G. Cassidy, Robert Brock Le Page, 2002 The method and plan of this dictionary of Jamaican English are basically the same as those of the Oxford English Dictionary, but oral sources have been extensively tapped in addition to detailed coverage of literature published in or about Jamaica since 1655. It contains information about the Caribbean and its dialects, and about Creole languages and general linguistic processes. Entries give the pronounciation, part-of-speach and usage of labels, spelling variants, etymologies and dated citations, as well as definitions. Systematic indexing indicates the extent to which the lexis is shared with other Caribbean countries. |
| english to jamaican language: A-Z of Jamaican Patois (Patwah) Teresa P. Blair, 2013-07-30 After it was known that Jamaican natives failed interviews that were conducted in patois, the writer decided that it was time to awaken Patois. This book was written to inform readers that Patois is a written language which can be learned and spoken like any other language. The words and phrases in this book, originated from English, African, and Creole, and can be heard wherever Jamaican natives reside. |
| english to jamaican language: Pidginization and Creolization of Languages International Conference On Pidgin And Creole Languages. 1968. Mona, Jamaique, 1971 |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole. Language or Languages? Anastasiia Bilousova, 2019-10-23 Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, University of Rostock (Anglistik/Amerikanistik), course: British and American Transcultural Studies, language: English, abstract: This term paper gives an idea of linguistic diversity in Jamaica and thus discuss whether standard Jamaican English and creole, such as Jamaican Creole, are different languages, and show how these varieties coexist. Over the past centuries, English has spread throughout the world, primarily thanks to the colonial policies of its homeland: Great Britain. Especially in the Caribbean, in the past there were many colonies in the British Empire - one of them, actually the largest, was Jamaica. Being one of many English-speaking countries in the world, it is worth studying, especially from a linguistic point of view, because it is one of the few countries in the Caribbean in which standard English and Creole English have been used almost since its colonization. To get an accurate picture of what English in Jamaica looks like, you need to look at the history of Jamaican languages as well as the current situation. As the standard variety and creole coexist in Jamaica, you need to look at both of them in isolation and how they affect each other. Thus, it will be interesting not only to study the function and some linguistic features of Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole, but also the post-Creole continuum. First of all, a look at the history will show how the English language developed in Jamaica. The following chapters will discuss, in particular, standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole, and will introduce the main linguistic features and, therefore, reasons to consider these two languages different or identical. And finally, the study of the post-Creole continuum will clarify the consequences of the mutual influence of these two languages. In the modern world, English is becoming a universal language. 500 million people in 12 countries speak this language. On this occasion, objections may arise, since about 900 million people speak the Mandarin Chinese language. However, do not forget that approximately 600 million more people use English as a second language. Another important addition is the fact that several hundred million people all over the world have a certain knowledge of the English language, since in 62 countries this language has the status of an official language. |
| english to jamaican language: Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage Richard Allsopp, Jeannette Allsopp, 2003 This remarkable new dictionary represents the first attempt in some four centuries to record the state of development of English as used across the entire Caribbean region. |
| english to jamaican language: Jabari Ras Dennis Jabari Reynolds, 2006 |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaican Patwa Language Shamar Smith, 2016-11-24 Jamaica is a place as unique as it is fascinating, with Jamaican patwa being one of the most unique dialects used anywhere. However, there hadn't been a guide that would enable one to learn properly... until now. This phrasebook covers most common subjects, from numbers to food items to everyday expressions to just about everything that is used in every day life. Yeah, mang. Further your understanding and knowledge of this incredible patois further than ever before. |
| english to jamaican language: English in Jamaica Antje Bernstein, 2011-11 Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,3, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, 14 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Throughout the last centuries the English language spread all over the world first and foremost due to the colonial politic of its motherland: Great Britain. Especially in the Caribbean the British empire had a lot of colonies in the past - one, in fact the biggest one, of these was Jamaica. Being one of the world's many English-speaking countries it is worth studying especially from a linguistic point of view because it is one of the few Caribbean countries in which a standard English and an English-based creole have been employed almost since its colonization. To get a precise picture of what English is like in Jamaica one has to consider the history of the Jamaican languages as well as the present situation. As a standard variety and a creole coexist in Jamaica, one has to look at both of them in isolation and at how they influence each other. Therefore it will not only be of interest to examine the function and some of the linguistic features of Jamaican English and the Jamaican creole but also the post-creole continuum. First of all, a look at the history will make clear how the English language developed in Jamaica. The following chapters will deal with Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole in particular and, finally, the examination of the post-creole continuum will make the consequences of the mutual influence of these two languages clear. David L. Lawton's text English in the Caribbean and the book Linguistic Variation in Jamaica: A Corpus-Based Study of Radio and Newspaper Usage by Andrea Sand will form a useful basis for the study of the English language in Jamaica and will be completed by other subject-relevant literature. The aim of this term paper is to provide an insight into the linguistic diversity in Jamaica and thus to i |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaican Patois Cuffe, 2022-01-31 It's been said that Jamaica is the heartbeat of the world. How can such a tiny island in the Caribbean give the world some of the best music, the best food, amazing beaches and some of the fastest athletes humanity has ever seen? Not to mention our accent and the way we talk, that everyone loves, but few understand. In this book lies the key to learning the language of Jamaica in easy to understand stories and instruction for the average lay person. Here's the best part, if you're fluent in the English language, you're more than halfway there. The experienced author brings a different spin on learning Jamaican Patois that gets you understanding the language extremely fast without the need for memorization and repetitious drills. Inside you'll find all the tools to have you speaking Jamaican Patois in record speed. Unlock the entire experience that is the Jamaican Culture. |
| english to jamaican language: Dictionary of Jamaican English Frederic Gomes Cassidy, Robert Brock Le Page, 1967 |
| english to jamaican language: London Jamaican Mark Sebba, 2014-06-03 London Jamaican provides the reader with a new perspective on African descent in London. Based on research carried out in the early 1980s, the author examines the linguistic background of the community, with special emphasis on young people of the first and second British-born generations. |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaican Creole Syntax B. L. Bailey, 1966-01-02 Beryl Loftman Bailey's book was one of the first published on the Jamaican Creole language. |
| english to jamaican language: Understanding Jamaican Patois L. Emilie Adams, Llewelyn Adams, 1991 |
| english to jamaican language: The Syntax of Jamaican Creole Stephanie Durrleman, 2008 This book offers an in-depth study of the overall syntax of (basilectal) Jamaican Creole, the first since Bailey (1966). The author, a Jamaican linguist, meticulously examines distributional and interpretative properties of functional morphology in Jamaican Creole (JC) from a cartographic perspective (Cinque 1999, 2002; Rizzi 1997, 2004), thus exploring to what extent the grammar of JC provides morphological manifestations of an articulate IP, CP and DP. The data considered in this work offers new evidence in favour of these enriched structural analyses, and the instances where surface orders differ from the underlying functional skeleton are accounted for in terms of movement operations. This investigation of Jamaican syntax therefore allows us to conclude that the 'poor' inflectional morphology typical of Creole languages in general and of (basilectal) Jamaican Creole in particular does not correlate with poor structural architecture. Indeed the free morphemes discussed, as well as the word order considerations that indicate syntactic movement to designated projections, serve as arguments in favour of a rich underlying functional map. |
| english to jamaican language: The Americas and the Caribbean Edgar W. Schneider, 2008-12-10 This volume gives a detailed overview of the varieties of English spoken in the Americas and the Caribbean, including regional, social and ethnic dialects (such as Southern US, Canadian or Chicano English) as well as Caribbean creoles from the Bahamas to Suriname. The chapters, written by widely acclaimed specialists, provide concise and comprehensive information on the phonological, morphological and syntactic characteristics of each variety discussed. The articles are followed by exercises and study questions. The exercises are geared towards students and can be used for classroom assignments as well as for self study in preparation for exams. Instructors can use the exercises, sound samples and interactive maps to enhance their classroom presentations and to highlight important language features. |
| english to jamaican language: How to Speak Jamaican? Ken Maxwell, 1981 |
| english to jamaican language: Am I Small? Mi Likkle? Philipp Winterberg, 2018-11-26 English-Jamaican Patois/Jamaican Creole (Patwa) Bilingual Edition Am I small? - Tamia is not sure and keeps asking various animals that she meets on her journey. Eventually she finds the surprising answer... Reviews This is baby's favorite book! -Amazon Customer Review from the United States for children who enjoy lingering over pages full of magical creatures and whimsical details [...] told in simple and engaging words and imaginative pictures.-Kirkus Reviews This has been my daughter's favourite book since she was 4 months old. The sentences are nice and short so she doesn't lose interest in the pictures while I'm reading each page. -Amazon Customer Review from the UK Muito legal esse livro. Singelo, divertido e relacionado ao universo da criança. Bom pra desenvolver o vocabulário. As ilustrações são lindas. Meu filho adorou. -Amazon Customer Review from Brazil You are small or big depending on with what you relate to. A simple cute book which exactly portrays this message. -Amazon Customer Review from India Muy buen libro infantil. Dinámico, orgánico, perfecto para aprender en romaji. De fácil lectura y con una protagonista realmente encantadora -Amazon Customer Review from Mexico Beautifully illustrated and cleverly written. -Amazon Customer Review from Australia We are in love with this book!-Amazon Customer Review from the United States Written in a very simple way but with a profound message for both adults and kids.-Amazon Customer Review from the United States Whenever I have time to read to her, she wants this book. And she repeats words. That's insanely cute. -Amazon Customer Review from Canada Mia figlia di due anni e mezzo è entusiasta dei disegni bellissimi e dei colori. Apprezza anche le vicende di una bimba nè grande nè piccola ma giusta così. -Amazon Customer Review from Italy My three year olds love it and the story's concept will grow with them for several years to come making it a keeper. -Amazon Customer Review from the U.S. A nuestra hija le ha encantado. [...] Estamos muy satisfechos con la compra. -Amazon Customer Review from Spain I got this book to read with my granddaughters, one from the US and one from Portugal. It is so incredibly cute! They loved it, and I did too. I highly recommend this book! -Amazon Customer Review from the U.S. Ce petit livre est tout ce que j'aime !!! Le graphisme, les couleurs, tout y est magnifiquement soigné, poétique et charmant !!! [...] Une merveille de beauté et de magie à ne pas louper !!! -Amazon Customer Review from France My little boy loves this as a bedtime story. It's colourful and quirky. [...] I thought it would be uninteresting to a child, to be read to in another language, but he asks for 'Bin ich klein' and it melts my heart! -Amazon Customer Review from the United Kingdom readers will emerge from this book feeling slightly more confident about themselves-whatever their size.-ForeWord Clarion Reviews This is done with simplicity at its finest. The art is whimsical, the message is clear and most of all my grandson loves it. I would recommend this book to any child provider as part of their reading library. -Amazon Customer Review from the U.S. Languages Available for every country in at least one official language. |
| english to jamaican language: Speak & Write Jamaican Charley E Cross, 2020-09-04 This book teaches you how to speak and write Jamaican and Patois like a native! This fun and easy book is your travel companion when visiting our beautiful island. Keep in on hand to help you understand and speak with the confidence of a Yardie. In Jamaica we say 'No Problem Mon' with Speak and Write Jamaican, understanding and speaking Jamaican will be no problem for you too. |
| english to jamaican language: Dread Talk Velma Pollard, 2000-05-15 Dread Talk examines the effects of Rastafarian language on Creole in other parts of the Carribean, its influence in Jamaican poetry, and its effects on standard Jamaican English. This revised edition includes a new introduction that outlines the changes that have occurred since the book first appeared and a new chapter, Dread Talk in the Diaspora, that discusses Rastafarian as used in the urban centers of North America and Europe. Pollard provides a wealth of examples of Rastafarian language-use and definitions, explaining how the evolution of these forms derives from the philosophical position of the Rasta speakers: The socio-political image which the Rastaman has had of himself in a society where lightness of skin, economic status, and social privileges have traditionally gone together must be included in any consideration of Rastafarian words for the man making the words is a man looking up from under, a man pressed down economically and socially by the establishment. |
| english to jamaican language: Codeswitching on the Web Lars Hinrichs, 2006-09-28 Based on a corpus of private email from Jamaican university students, this study explores the discourse functions of Jamaican Creole in computer-mediated communication. From this participant-centered perspective, it contributes to the longstanding theoretical debates in creole studies about the creole continuum. The book will likewise be useful to students of computer-mediated communication, the use and development of non-standardized languages, language ecology, and codeswitching. The central methodological issue in this study is codeswitching in written language, a neglected area of study at the moment since most literature in codeswitching research is based on spoken data. The three analytical chapters present the data in a critical discussion of established and more recent theoretical approaches to codeswitching. Fields that will benefit from this book include interactional sociolinguistics, creole studies, English as a world language, computer-mediated discourse analysis, and linguistic anthropology. |
| english to jamaican language: A Comparative Analysis of Jamaican Creole and Nigerian Pidgin English Pamela Odimegwu, 2012-07-02 Nigerian Pidgin English shows a large number of similarities to Jamaican Creole or Patois. Many phrases and words in Patois are also found in Nigerian Pidgin English. Linguists believe that this is due to the fact that the majority of slaves taken to the New World were from West Africa.Though many comparative studies have been made on Pidgins and Creoles, none or not many have been made specifically on Nigerian Pidgin English and Jamaican Creole. This book examines some of the similarities and differences which exist between Nigerian Pidgin English and Jamaican Creole. The book also investigates whether these two languages do, in fact have a common origin. |
| english to jamaican language: The acrolect in Jamaica G. Alison Irvine-Sobers , 2018 An ability to speak Jamaican Standard English is the stated requirement for any managerial or frontline position in corporate Jamaica. This research looks at the phonological variation that occurs in the formal speech of this type of employee, and focuses on the specific cohort chosen to represent Jamaica in interactions with local and international clients. The variation that does emerge, shows both the presence of some features traditionally characterized as Creole and a clear avoidance of other features found in basilectal and mesolectal Jamaican. Some phonological items are prerequisites for “good English” - variables that define the user as someone who speaks English - even if other Creole variants are present. The ideologies of language and language use that Jamaican speakers hold about “good English” clearly reflect the centuries-old coexistence of English and Creole, and suggest local norms must be our starting point for discussing the acrolect. |
| english to jamaican language: Instant Patwa Aj Henriques, 2020-12-15 What's the fastest way to learn the ins and outs of Jamaican Patois? Achieving fluency in Patwa (Jamaican Patois) requires a strategic approach, one that shows why -- and where -- what we hear seems to run together. Instant Patwa brings you that demystifying approach. English speakers are understood in Jamaica. Locals understand English. However, if you know only English without a grasp of the day-to-day language, you'll understand the local people way less than they understand you! The desired dynamic is equal understanding. With this in mind, Instant Patwa is written with a focus on what you'll hear (how native speakers speak), to show you how we say what we say. That's how Instant Patwa hones your listening skills and helps you to master spoken Patwa. Jamaican Patwa is relatively simple -- when you've learnt its secret patterns. After learning those patterns in this book, you should have a great grasp of Patwa. With Jamaica so near to Florida, and Kingston-culture so close to New York slang, Patwa is evolving. This book, therefore, is also a snapshot of authentic spoken Patwa as it now stands (and as it has stood for a few centuries). It's an easy read, with all you need for every Patwa conversation. Idiom, pronunciation and comprehension are at your fingertips in this simple guide. If you're an expatriate in Jamaica, this gives you an edge. If you're purely a fan of Jamaican Patwa anywhere in the world, what a great party skill you'll have after reading this book! |
| english to jamaican language: A Likkle Miss Lou Nadia Hohn, 2019-08-13 A picture book biography of the Jamaican poet Miss Lou |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaica Talk Frederic G. Cassidy, 2007 |
| english to jamaican language: Speak Jamaican I'Heshia Handy, 2019-10 Speak Jamaican is a comprehensive instructional tool that outlines the grammar of Jamaican Creole. The course is designed to facilitate fluency in speech. It delineates the pronunciation and grammar of the Jamaican Creole language, and it includes lessons outlining the formation of tenses, irregularverbs, adjectives, adverbs, questions, commands, pluralization, the passive voice, making a sentence negative, showing ownership, structures unique to Jamaican Creole, and additional tenets. Each lesson consists of practice exercises and a vocabulary list to familiarize the reader with Jamaican Creole grammar. If the reader is looking to do more than just 'parrot' Jamaican words and phrases, this work is a vital instrument to achieving that goal. |
| english to jamaican language: The Original Jamaican Patois; Words, Phrases and Short Stories Laxleyval Sagasta, 2021-01-05 Patois, patwah, patwa or whichever other way it is spelt, is a dialect, a mixture of a least four different languages, mainly English, French, Spanish and Dutch. It is the(de facto) national language of Jamaica, sometimes referred to as Jamaican English. Most of the words are not pure from any of these languages, but they are easily understood particularly by people and/or their descendants of Caribbean islands. Patwa originated in the early days of slavery in the region and served as the principal way of communication between the slaves. This communication was very essential as the islands had many small plantations, and the slaves were from different parts of Africa with multiple tribal languages. However, even before the Africans were brought to the islands, there were English, Irish, Spanish and Dutch slaves who became slave-drivers of the Africans and taught them enough of their respective languages to enable some form of communication. |
| english to jamaican language: The Mouton World Atlas of Variation in English Bernd Kortmann, Kerstin Lunkenheimer, 2012 The Mouton World Atlas of Variation in English (WAVE) presents grammatical variation in spontaneous spoken English, mapping 235 features in 48 varieties of English (traditional dialects, high-contact mother tongue Englishes, and indiginized second-language Englishes) and 26 English-based Pidgins and Creoles in eight Anglophone world regions (Africa, Asia, Australia, British Isles, the Caribbean, North America, the Pacific, and the South Atlantic). The analyses of the 74 varieties are based on descriptive materials, naturalistic corpus data, and native speaker knowledge. |
| english to jamaican language: English in the Caribbean Dagmar Deuber, 2014-04-03 An in-depth study of English as spoken in two major anglophone Caribbean territories, Jamaica and Trinidad. |
| english to jamaican language: Language Variation on Jamaican Radio Michael Westphal, 2017-12-14 This volume presents an in-depth analysis of language variation in Jamaican radio newscasts and talk shows. It explores the interaction of global and local varieties of English with regard to newscasters’ and talk show hosts’ language use and listeners’ attitudes. The book illustrates the benefits of an integrated approach to mass media: the analysis takes into account radio talk and the perception of the audience, it is context-sensitive, paying close attention to variation within and between genres, and it combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to demonstrate the complexity of language in the media. The book contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of World Englishes in the 21st century and endonormative stabilization processes in linguistically heterogeneous postcolonial speech communities, and shows how mass media both challenge and reproduce sociolinguistic stratification. This volume will be relevant for researchers interested in the fields of sociolinguistics, language attitudes, and language in the media. |
| english to jamaican language: London Jamaican Mark Sebba, 2014-06-03 London Jamaican provides the reader with a new perspective on African descent in London. Based on research carried out in the early 1980s, the author examines the linguistic background of the community, with special emphasis on young people of the first and second British-born generations. |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaicasaurus Eric Rose, 2018-06-19 With 3,278 entries and over 13,500 translations and synonyms, the Jamaicasaurus functions as both the only thesaurus of the Jamaican Patois dialect and also as the only English-to-Jamaican translation dictionary. It is thus an essential resource for anyone interested in Jamaican culture and language, whether local or foreigner, as it marks a new milestone for Jamaican as a language of increasing global interest while also serving native speakers searching for alternate words and expressions, recent slang, and older terms. Each English entry in the Jamaicasaurus gives as many Jamaican translations as possible. Therefore, to use this book as a thesaurus, simply look up the English equivalent of the Jamaican word or phrase you have in mind and you will see the various Jamaican synonyms for it listed there. The appendix at the back of the book additionally features extensive lists of Jamaican expletives and exclamations; odd curiosities; and the Jamaican names for 278 important species of plants and trees used in Jamaica for food, medicine, and cultural purposes (listed by scientific name first). Also quite importantly, Jamaicasaurus bridges the gap between the common English-based way of spelling Jamaican words and the Cassidy-JLU system being preferred by linguists and many others. This edition of the book displays Jamaican words in the common English-based spelling format, but it also incorporates the Cassidy-JLU format for sample sentences where they occur. A Jamiekan Edition featuring exclusively the Cassidy-JLU spelling format is also available. |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaican Speech Forms in Ethiopia Rosanna Masiola, 2015-04-01 This book is the first systematic cross-disciplinary survey on the use of Jamaican English in Ethiopia, describing the dynamics of language acquisition in a multi-lectal and multicultural context. It is the result of over eight years’ worth of research conducted in both Jamaica and Africa, and is a recognition of the trans-cultural influence of the “Repatriation Movement” and other diasporic movements. The method and materials adopted in this book point to a constant spread and diffusion of Jamaican culture in Ethiopia. This is reinforced by the universalistic appeal of Rastafarianism and Reggae music and their ability to transcend borders. The data gathered here focus on how an Anglophone-based Creole has developed new speech-forms and has been hybridized and cross-fertilized in contact situations and by new media sources. The book focuses on the use of Jamaican English in four particular domains: namely, school, street, family, and the music studio. Its findings are drawn from an exceptional range of sources, such as field-work and video-recordings, interviews, web-mediated communication, artistic performance and relevant transcriptions. These sources highlight five topics of relevance—language acquisition and choice; English and Jamaican speech forms; hegemonic and minority groups, Rastafarian culture and Reggae music—which are explored in further detail throughout the book. These salient features, in turn, interface with the dynamics of influencing factors, reinforcing circumstances, significance and change. The book represents a journey to the “extreme-outer circle” of English language use, following a circular route away from Africa and back again, with all the languages used (and lost) along the slavery route and inside the plantation complex developing into creolized speech forms and Creoles. Such language use is now making its way back to Africa, with all the incendiary creativity of Reggae and resonant with Rastafarian language. |
| english to jamaican language: Escape to Last Man Peak Jean D'Costa, 2021-03-25 There have been many great and enduring works of literature by Caribbean authors over the last century. The Caribbean Contemporary Classics collection celebrates these deep and vibrant stories, overflowing with life and acute observations about society. Sunrise Orphanage is a happy place until the great sickness comes to the country, when the ten orphan children are left to fend for themselves. Normal life breaks down, and people do what they can to survive. Threatened with being taken to a labour camp, the children's only alternative is a perilous journey across the island. Sanctuary awaits them at Last Man Peak, but will they be able to reach it? Unforeseen danger waits at every turn. No one can be trusted. The arduous trek would be challenging enough even without the need to avoid capture - capture which would mean the labour camp, or possibly something much worse. The journey, with only their wits and courage to help them, will change their lives for ever. Suitable for readers aged 11 and above. |
| english to jamaican language: Go de Rass to Sleep: (A Jamaican translation) Adam Mansbach, 2014-05-19 Named one of the 20 Greatest New Father's Day Gifts by Advocate.com! No matter what the country or the language, parents all over the world--loving, frustrated, exhausted parents--know what Adam Mansbach means. Since 2011, his comically obscene picture book has sold more than 1.5 million copies in dozens of languages from Afrikaans to Japanese to Nynorsk. And later this year, his little book will venture into new territory with a Jamaican patois translation: 'Go de R–s to Sleep.' --The Washington Post/Style Blog This version of Adam Mansbach's profane, affectionate, and radically honest book will remind whole new audiences about the absurdities of parenting. Just don't read it to the kids. --Advocate.com, The 20 Greatest New Father's Day Gifts Praise for Go the Fuck to Sleep: A new Bible for weary parents. --New York Times Incredibly appealing. --NPR A parenting zeitgeist...A phenomenon that has stunned the publishing world and may just redefine the modern ‘parenting’ market. --Washington Post Delightfully obscene. --Newsweek Nothing has driven home a certain truth about my generation, which is approaching the apex of its childbearing years, quite like this deranged book. --New Yorker The best-selling Go the F*** to Sleep has been translated into over thirty languages worldwide. Now it is finally translated for Jamaican and other Caribbean parents of the world. Given how many West Indians live in the US and Canada, the market for this book should be broad, but focused mainly on areas with a large Caribbean community. Go de Rass to Sleep is a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don’t always send a toddler sailing blissfully off to dreamland. Profane, affectionate, and radically honest, California Book Award–winning author Adam Mansbach's verses perfectly capture the familiar--and unspoken--tribulations of putting your little angel down for the night. In the process, they open up a conversation about parenting, granting us permission to admit our frustrations, and laugh at their absurdity. With illustrations by Ricardo Cortés, Go de Rass to Sleep is beautiful, subversive, and pants-wettingly funny--a book for parents new, old, and expectant. You probably should not read it to your children. |
| english to jamaican language: Language in the British Isles Peter Trudgill, 1984-05-17 |
| english to jamaican language: Biesik Jumiekan Larry Chang, 2014-05-28 A Jamaican language primer for native speakers and beginners alike. There are six sections: Origins, Grammar, Orthography, Vocabulary, Texts and a 50-page illustrated dictionary, presenting the basilectal register or broad patois, using a modified Cassidy system for writing Jamaican. Selections include works by Claude McKay, Louise Bennett, Joan Andrea Hutchinson and Carolyn Cooper, alongside excerpts of classics from Laozi, Marcus Aurelius, Shakespeare, and Dickens, translated into Jamaican for the first time. |
| english to jamaican language: Jamaican Creole Proverbs Aleksandra R. Knapik, 2019-12-20 Jamaican Creole, like many other contact languages, has taken its ultimate shape through the course of multi-lingual and multi-cultural influences. From the perspective of contact linguistics , this meticulous study examines Jamaican Creole proverbs in a corpus of over 1090 recorded sayings; it presents a framework of cultural changes in Jamaica accompanied by corresponding linguistic changes in its creole. The analysis clearly demonstrates that despite three centuries of extreme dominance by the British empire, Jamaicans successfully preserved the traditions of their own ancestors. Not only that. The poly-layered stimulus of various factors: geographic, cultural and, most prominently, linguistic, helped create a unique phenomenon – Jamaican creole culture. The vibrant life of the Jamaican people and their African background is best encapsulated in their proverbs, proverbs which constitute generations of wisdom passed from the 16th century and on. John R. Rickford, J.E. Wallace Sterling Professor of Linguistics and the Humanities, Stanford University The research theme of the very publication entitled Jamaican Proverbs fromthe Perspective of Contact Linguistics is a successful analysis of both linguistic and cultural contacts between English and African cultures that have been shaping the vernacular language of Jamaica. The study material consists of 1092 proverbs, all of which can be regarded as a first-hand record of sociolinguistic events that have had important influence upon the formation of the Jamaican creole language and its registers. Dr. Knapik proves beyond any reasonable doubt that the Jamaican linguistic and cultural world is a great example of a thriving microcosm which continues to incorporate various elements and can also very well serve as the basis for future research on patterns of language and culture development. (…) prof. dr hab. dr h.c. (mult.) †Jacek Fisiak |
English and Creole in Jamaica A brief linguistic sketch - CORE
This paper is a short introduction to the nature of English as is commonly spoken in Jamaica, with a brief analysis of phonology, vocabulary, morphology and syntax. The focus of this study is …
Rasta/Patois Dictionary and Phrases/Proverbs
The essence of Jamaican cursing seems to be nastiness, rather than the blashemy or sexuality which is characteristic of the metropolitan countries.
ASSISTING CREOLE-ENGLISH AND NON-STANDARD …
the most common Caribbean English Creole Language, Jamaican Creole, in addition to describing the various Creole Languages spoken in the United States. I will also explain the …
CREOLICA
Jamaican Patwa (JC) is an English-lexified Creole, a language of ethnic identification primarily spoken in Jamaica, but also by large numbers of Jamaican emigrants in urban Britain and …
1. INTRODUCTION JAMAICAN ENGLISH - Theses.cz
This study deals with the phonetics and phonology of Jamaican English. Jamaican English is a variety of English that is a part of a broad Creole family of the Caribbean area, sometimes also …
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH …
GENERAL AIMS: The English Language syllabus aims to build on what students learnt at the GSAT level and develop on them. The ability to use the spoken and written language, …
Jamaican English - CORE
Topic of this paper are characteristics of Jamaican English and its comparison with Jamaican Creole in the fields of phonology, morphology, and syntax. Firstly, the brief history of Jamaican …
CURRICULUM GUIDE – LANGUAGE ARTS - SSL.com
The Jamaican Language Situation Our language situation makes its own unique demands on our language programme. Most children entering school can be seen as partially bilingual. They …
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE IPA Jamaican Creole
The speech form which is considered here is basilectal Jamaican Creole and radically different phonologically from the acrolectal form, Jamaican English, a regionally distinctive dialect of …
Jamaican Language Dictionary Full PDF
translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican Creole Patois but also the first book that can function as a Jamaican thesaurus The Jamaicasaurus is thus an essential resource for …
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Dictionary of Jamaican English Frederic G. Cassidy,Robert Brock Le Page,2002 The method and plan of this dictionary of Jamaican English are basically the same as those of the Oxford …
LANGUAGE EDUCATION POLICY - dahlia palmer
A.Language situation in Jamaica - ResearchGate
English is the language from which most of the Jamaican creole lexicon in taken. There-fore, the lexicon is generally not helpful as a way to distinguish arcolect and baselect varieties....
Languages as Socio-cultural Capital in the Context of …
The linguistic data on Jamaican Creole and Standard Jamaican English hold that both have valued functions as part of our heritage and each shares distinctly separate grammar in areas …
Jamaican - VU Filologijos fakultetas
Intro duction. Jamaican,1 often referred to in the linguistics literature as Jamaican Creole, is chiefly spoken in Jamaica, a Caribbean is land of the Greater Antilles. The language is the …
The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica
First, it is officially recognized that Jamaica has two languages, Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole. Second, the policy draft offers guidelines for indigenous approaches to the teaching of …
EDUEXCHANGE E-DISCUSSION SUMMARY - The …
Topics specifically discussed include the functions of English and Creole (Patois) in the society and attitudes to these varieties, the origins, development and present state of English in …
RESULTS LANGUAGE ATTITUDE SURVEY OF JAMAICA
RESULTS LANGUAGE ATTITUDE SURVEY OF JAMAICA. The Majority Of Jamaicans Recognise Jamaican (Patwa) As A Language. Jamaican (Patwa) Should Be Made An Official …
Jamaican Students’ Confidence, Sociolinguistic Background, …
This study analyses the correlations between the level of confidence that students self-reported when presenting a poem in SE, their oral performance assessment in SE and their …
A Learner’s Grammar of Jamaican - GitHub Pages
learning more about the workings of a particular language are encouraged to seek out these source
English and Creole in Jamaica A brief linguistic sketch - CORE
This paper is a short introduction to the nature of English as is commonly spoken in Jamaica, with a brief analysis of phonology, vocabulary, morphology and syntax. The focus of this study is …
Rasta/Patois Dictionary and Phrases/Proverbs
The essence of Jamaican cursing seems to be nastiness, rather than the blashemy or sexuality which is characteristic of the metropolitan countries.
ASSISTING CREOLE-ENGLISH AND NON-STANDARD DIALECT …
the most common Caribbean English Creole Language, Jamaican Creole, in addition to describing the various Creole Languages spoken in the United States. I will also explain the …
CREOLICA
Jamaican Patwa (JC) is an English-lexified Creole, a language of ethnic identification primarily spoken in Jamaica, but also by large numbers of Jamaican emigrants in urban Britain and …
1. INTRODUCTION JAMAICAN ENGLISH - Theses.cz
This study deals with the phonetics and phonology of Jamaican English. Jamaican English is a variety of English that is a part of a broad Creole family of the Caribbean area, sometimes also …
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH …
GENERAL AIMS: The English Language syllabus aims to build on what students learnt at the GSAT level and develop on them. The ability to use the spoken and written language, …
Jamaican English - CORE
Topic of this paper are characteristics of Jamaican English and its comparison with Jamaican Creole in the fields of phonology, morphology, and syntax. Firstly, the brief history of Jamaican …
CURRICULUM GUIDE – LANGUAGE ARTS - SSL.com
The Jamaican Language Situation Our language situation makes its own unique demands on our language programme. Most children entering school can be seen as partially bilingual. They …
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE IPA Jamaican Creole - Cambridge …
The speech form which is considered here is basilectal Jamaican Creole and radically different phonologically from the acrolectal form, Jamaican English, a regionally distinctive dialect of …
Jamaican Language Dictionary Full PDF
translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican Creole Patois but also the first book that can function as a Jamaican thesaurus The Jamaicasaurus is thus an essential resource for …
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Dictionary of Jamaican English Frederic G. Cassidy,Robert Brock Le Page,2002 The method and plan of this dictionary of Jamaican English are basically the same as those of the Oxford …
LANGUAGE EDUCATION POLICY - dahlia palmer
The Language Education Policy provides direction for the treatment of language issues in the Jamaican educational context, in order to improve language and literacy competencies.
A.Language situation in Jamaica - ResearchGate
English is the language from which most of the Jamaican creole lexicon in taken. There-fore, the lexicon is generally not helpful as a way to distinguish arcolect and baselect varieties....
Languages as Socio-cultural Capital in the Context of …
The linguistic data on Jamaican Creole and Standard Jamaican English hold that both have valued functions as part of our heritage and each shares distinctly separate grammar in areas …
Jamaican - VU Filologijos fakultetas
Intro duction. Jamaican,1 often referred to in the linguistics literature as Jamaican Creole, is chiefly spoken in Jamaica, a Caribbean is land of the Greater Antilles. The language is the …
The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica
First, it is officially recognized that Jamaica has two languages, Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole. Second, the policy draft offers guidelines for indigenous approaches to the teaching of …
EDUEXCHANGE E-DISCUSSION SUMMARY - The University of …
Topics specifically discussed include the functions of English and Creole (Patois) in the society and attitudes to these varieties, the origins, development and present state of English in …
RESULTS LANGUAGE ATTITUDE SURVEY OF JAMAICA - The …
RESULTS LANGUAGE ATTITUDE SURVEY OF JAMAICA. The Majority Of Jamaicans Recognise Jamaican (Patwa) As A Language. Jamaican (Patwa) Should Be Made An Official …
Jamaican Students’ Confidence, Sociolinguistic Background, …
This study analyses the correlations between the level of confidence that students self-reported when presenting a poem in SE, their oral performance assessment in SE and their …
