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Jamaican Dialect Dictionary: Your Guide to Understanding Patois
Unlocking the vibrant rhythm and rich tapestry of Jamaican culture often involves understanding Patois, the island's unique and expressive dialect. This isn't just a collection of slang; it's a language steeped in history, reflecting the complex blend of African, European, and other influences that shaped Jamaica. This comprehensive guide serves as your entry point to a deeper appreciation of Jamaican Patois, providing you with a virtual Jamaican dialect dictionary and the context you need to understand its nuances. We'll explore its origins, common phrases, and resources available to help you master this captivating linguistic landscape.
Understanding the Roots of Jamaican Patois
Before diving into specific words and phrases, it's crucial to understand the historical context of Jamaican Patois. It's not simply "broken English," as some mistakenly believe. Its roots lie in the languages brought to the island by enslaved Africans, primarily from West Africa. These languages blended with English, creating a creole language unique to Jamaica. This process of creolization involved simplification of grammatical structures and the adoption of vocabulary from both English and the various African languages.
The Evolution of Jamaican Patois
Over centuries, Jamaican Patois evolved, influenced by further migration and contact with other languages. While English remains the official language of Jamaica, Patois holds immense cultural significance, deeply interwoven with Jamaican identity and daily life. Understanding this historical context is key to appreciating its complexity and beauty.
Navigating a Jamaican Dialect Dictionary: Key Considerations
A simple word-for-word translation rarely captures the essence of Patois. Its meaning often depends on context, intonation, and even body language. Think of it as a language with its own unique grammar and expressive power. A successful Jamaican dialect dictionary needs to go beyond simple definitions.
Beyond Literal Translation: Understanding Nuance
For example, the word "irie" translates simply to "everything is alright," but it encompasses a much broader feeling of peace, harmony, and positivity. This deeper meaning is crucial for comprehending the true spirit of the language.
Resources for Learning Patois
There's no single definitive "Jamaican dialect dictionary" in the same way there is for standard English. However, various resources can help you navigate the complexities of the language. These include:
Online Dictionaries: Several online dictionaries specifically focus on Jamaican Patois, offering definitions, pronunciations (often with audio), and examples in context. Many are constantly updated to reflect the evolving nature of the language.
Language Learning Apps: Several language-learning apps now incorporate Patois, providing interactive lessons and vocabulary exercises.
Books and Academic Studies: More in-depth understanding can be found in academic works and books dedicated to creole languages and Jamaican linguistics.
Common Jamaican Patois Phrases and Their Meanings
Let's explore some common phrases to illustrate the richness and diversity of Jamaican Patois:
Wah gwaan? (What's happening?) - A casual greeting.
Irie! (Everything's alright/peace) - Expresses positivity and well-being.
Yaad (home/countryside) - Refers to one's home or rural area.
Likkle more (a little more) - A common phrase used for requesting more of something.
Brawta (brother) - A term of endearment and camaraderie.
This is just a small sampling, and many more words and phrases exist, each with its own unique cultural context.
Beyond Words: The Cultural Significance of Jamaican Patois
The value of a Jamaican dialect dictionary extends beyond simple translation; it's a portal to understanding Jamaican culture. Patois is not just a language; it's an integral part of Jamaican identity, music, and storytelling. Learning Patois allows for a more profound connection with the people and the island's rich heritage.
Conclusion
Mastering Jamaican Patois is a journey, not a destination. By utilizing the resources available, embracing the nuances, and appreciating the historical context, you can unlock a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jamaican culture. A Jamaican dialect dictionary is a valuable tool, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. Immerse yourself in the language, listen to Jamaican music, watch Jamaican films, and engage with the culture—that's where the real learning happens.
FAQs
Q1: Is Jamaican Patois officially recognized as a language?
A1: While not officially recognized as a separate language by the Jamaican government, Patois holds significant cultural status and is recognized for its importance to Jamaican identity.
Q2: How different is Jamaican Patois from other Creole languages?
A2: While sharing similarities with other creole languages, Jamaican Patois has unique characteristics resulting from its specific historical and linguistic development.
Q3: Are there any specific grammar rules in Jamaican Patois?
A3: Yes, Jamaican Patois has its own grammatical structures that differ from standard English. Learning these structures enhances understanding and fluency.
Q4: Where can I find authentic recordings of Jamaican Patois?
A4: Many online resources offer audio recordings of Patois speakers, and Jamaican music and films often utilize the dialect.
Q5: How can I improve my pronunciation of Jamaican Patois?
A5: Immersion is key! Listening to native speakers, practicing pronunciation with language learning apps, and even seeking out a tutor can significantly improve your pronunciation.
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Jabari Ras Dennis Jabari Reynolds, 2006 |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Jamaicasaurus Eric Rose, 2018-07-04 With 3,278 entries and over 13,500 translations and synonyms, the Jamaicasaurus functions as both the only thesaurus of the Jamaican dialect (Patois, Patwa) and the only translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican. As such, it is an essential resource for anyone interested in Jamaican culture and language, local or foreigner, as it marks a new milestone for Jamaican Patois as a language of increasing global interest while also serving native speakers searching for alternate words and expressions, recent slang, and older terms. For each entry, as many Jamaican translations as possible are given. 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 there you will see listed all the Jamaican synonyms for that Jamaican word or phrase. The appendix at the back of the book additionally features extensive lists of Patwa expletives and exclamations; odd curiosities; and the Jamaican names for 278 important species of plants and trees used in Jamaica for food, medicine, etc (listed by scientific name first). Finally, and quite importantly, Jamaicasaurus bridges the gap between the common English-based way of spelling Jamaican words and the increasingly popular Cassidy-JLU system preferred by linguists. This edition of the book (the Jamiekan Spellings Edition) displays Jamaican words in that latter format in order to more consistently represent their true pronunciation. A Common Jamaican Spellings Edition favoring the type of English-based spelling still used by most Jamaicans is also available. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: The Official Dancehall Dictionary Chester Francis-Jackson, 2002 With the emergence of Dancehall music on the world,scene, the language which accompanies it has,gained wide exposure. Many who hear and sometimes,use these words may not be fully aware of their,meanings. Now, a learned source records his deep,understanding of the expressions, providing their,English equivalents and very often their usage in,context. Including a history of the Dancehall,scene and a brief guide to Jamaican patois, this,dictionary will prove a revelation of Dancehall,culture for the uninitiated. Illustrated. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Understanding Jamaican Patois L. Emilie Adams, Llewelyn Adams, 1991 |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Dictionary of Jamaican English Frederic Gomes Cassidy, Robert Brock Le Page, 1967 |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Slanguage Dictionary: Caribbean and Latin American Slang Words and Phrases Christopher Bonn, 2013-06-22 The Slanguage Dictionary: Caribbean and Latin American Slang Words and Phrases is just that; a dictionary of slang words translated to English. Whether for entertainment or to expand your knowledge, this reference guide has slang covered from Puerto Rico to Panama. Also includes a pronunciation guide for Standard Spanish, Caribbean Spanish and Jamaican Patois. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Dictionary of St. Lucian Creole Lawrence D. Carrington, 1992 |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Slang Jonathon Green, 2016 In this Very Short Introduction Jonathon Green asks what words qualify as slang, and whether slang should be acknowledged as a language in its own right. Looking forward, he considers what the digital revolution means for the future of slang.--Cover flap. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: The Meaning of Tingo Adam Jacot de Boinod, 2006-10-05 Did you know that people in Indonesia have a word that means 'to take off your clothes in order to dance'? Or how many words the Albanians have for eyebrows and moustaches? Or that the Dutch word for skimming stones is plimpplamppletteren? Drawing on the collective wisdom of over 154 languages, this intriguing book is arranged by theme so you can compare attitudes all over the world to such subjects as food, the human body and the battle of the sexes. Here you can find not only those words for which there is no direct counterpart in English (such as the Japanese age-otori which means looking less attractive after a haircut), but also a frank discussion of exactly how many 'Eskimo' terms there are for snow, and a vast array of information exploring the wonderful and often downright strange world of words. Oh, and tingo means 'to take all the objects one desires from the house of a friend, one at a time, by asking to borrow them'. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Songs of Jamaica Claude McKay, 2021-05-28 Songs of Jamaica (1912) is a poetry collection by Claude McKay. Published before the poet left Jamaica for the United States, Songs of Jamaica is a pioneering collection of verse written in Jamaican Patois, the first of its kind. As a committed leftist, McKay was a keen observer of the Black experience in the Caribbean, the American South, and later in New York, where he gained a reputation during the Harlem Renaissance for celebrating the resilience and cultural achievement of the African American community while lamenting the poverty and violence they faced every day. “Quashie to Buccra,” the opening poem, frames this schism in terms of labor, as one class labors to fulfill the desires of another: “You tas’e petater an’ you say it sweet, / But you no know how hard we wuk fe it; / You want a basketful fe quattiewut, / ‘Cause you no know how ‘tiff de bush fe cut.” Addressing himself to a white audience, he exposes the schism inherent to colonial society between white and black, rich and poor. Advising his white reader to question their privileged consumption, dependent as it is on the subjugation of Jamaica’s black community, McKay warns that “hardship always melt away / Wheneber it comes roun’ to reapin’ day.” This revolutionary sentiment carries throughout Songs of Jamaica, finding an echo in the brilliant poem “Whe’ fe do?” Addressed to his own people, McKay offers hope for a brighter future to come: “We needn’ fold we han’ an’ cry, / Nor vex we heart wid groan and sigh; / De best we can do is fe try / To fight de despair drawin’ night: / Den we might conquer by an’ by— / Dat we might do.” With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Claude McKay’s Songs of Jamaica is a classic of Jamaican literature reimagined for modern readers. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics Jack C. Richards, Richard W. Schmidt, 2013-11-04 This best-selling dictionary is now in its 4th edition. Specifically written for students of language teaching and applied linguistics, it has become an indispensible resource for those engaged in courses in TEFL, TESOL, applied linguistics and introductory courses in general linguistics. Fully revised, this new edition includes over 350 new entries. Previous definitions have been revised or replaced in order to make this the most up-to-date and comprehensive dictionary available. Providing straightforward and accessible explanations of difficult terms and ideas in applied linguistics, this dictionary offers: Nearly 3000 detailed entries, from subject areas such as teaching methodology, curriculum development, sociolinguistics, syntax and phonetics. Clear and accurate definitions which assume no prior knowledge of the subject matter helpful diagrams and tables cross references throughout, linking related subject areas for ease of reference, and helping to broaden students' knowledge The Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics is the definitive resource for students. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago Lise Winer, 2009-01-16 Using the historical principles of the Oxford English Dictionary, Lise Winer presents the first scholarly dictionary of this unique language. The dictionary comprises over 12,200 entries, including over 4500 for flora and fauna alone, with numerous cross-references. Entries include definitions, alternative spellings, pronunciations, etymologies, grammatical information, and illustrative citations of usage. Winer draws from a wide range of sources - newspapers, literature, scientific reports, sound recordings of songs and interviews, spoken language - to provide a wealth and depth of language, clearly situated within a historical, cultural, and social context. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Jamaican Popular Patois Dictionary Deeta S. Johnson, 2022-01-31 The Jamaican patois is spoken all over the world, wherever Jamaicans get together for a chat or a song. It contains elements of African languages, brought to Jamaica in the days of slavery, mixed with the Spanish and English of the early colonists and smatterings of Dutch, Portuguese and other European languages. It is very much a living language, continuing to evolve, but always retaining the expressive, lively, sunshiny characters of the Jamaican people. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Jamaica Talk Frederic G. Cassidy, 2007 |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: An Introduction to Pidgins and Creoles John Holm, 2000 A clear and concise introduction to the study of how new languages come into being. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Glossary of Sociolinguistics Peter Trudgill, 2019-08-08 This pocket-sized alphabetic guide introduces popular terms used in the study of language and society. A central topic within modern linguistics, sociolinguistics deals with human communication and the use of language in its social context. Clearly written by a leading authority in the field, this glossary provides full coverage of both traditional and contemporary terminology, including the relatively new areas within sociolinguistics of sign language, gay language and cross-cultural communication.Key features:* An ideal companion to courses in sociolinguistics, language variation and change, dialectology, English language and language and gender* Contains illustrations, dialect maps and a bibliography* Provides linguistic examples of the terms defined* Supplies numerous cross-references to related terms. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language Thomas Burns McArthur, Roshan McArthur, 2005 From Sanskrit to Scouse, this book provides a single-volume source of information about the English language. The guide is intended both for reference and and for browsing. The international perspective takes in language from Cockney to Creole, Aboriginal English to Zummerzet, Estuary English to Caribbean English and a historical range from Beowulf to Ebonics, Chaucer to Chomsky, Latin to the World Wide Web. There is coverage of a wide range of topics from abbreviation to Zeugma, Shakespeare to split infinitive and substantial entries on key subjects such as African English, etymology, imperialism, pidgin, poetry, psycholinguistics and slang. Box features include pieces on place-names, the evolution of the alphabet, the story of OK, borrowings into English, and the Internet. Invaluable reference for English Language students, and fascinating reading for the general reader with an interest in language. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: The Cambridge Dictionary of Linguistics Keith Brown, Jim Miller, 2013-12-05 The Cambridge Dictionary of Linguistics provides concise and clear definitions of all the terms any undergraduate or graduate student is likely to encounter in the study of linguistics and English language or in other degrees involving linguistics, such as modern languages, media studies and translation. lt covers the key areas of syntax, morphology, phonology, phonetics, semantics and pragmatics but also contains terms from discourse analysis, stylistics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, computational linguistics and corpus linguistics. It provides entries for 246 languages, including 'major' languages and languages regularly mentioned in research papers and textbooks. Features include cross-referencing between entries and extended entries on some terms. Where appropriate, entries contain illustrative examples from English and other languages and many provide etymologies bringing out the metaphors lying behind the technical terms. Also available is an electronic version of the dictionary which includes 'clickable' cross-referencing. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: African American Voices Steven Mintz, 2004-08-02 The 58 selections in this volume cover the history of slavery in America, moving from memories of growing up in Africa to the trials of the Middle Passage, the horrors of the auction block, the sustaining forces of family and religions, acts of resistance, and the meaning of the Civil War and emancipation, presenting 300 years in the collective life cycle of an enslaved people. Mintz's extensive introduction is followed by substantial excerpts from published slave narratives, interviews with former slaves, and letters written by enslaved African Americans. The end of the volume includes a bibliographic essay and a 40-page bibliography, making this an indispensible book for the study of slavery. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Phonological Variation in Rural Jamaican Schools Véronique Lacoste, 2012 This book investigates variation in the classroom speech of 7-year-old children who are learning Standard Jamaican English as a second language variety in rural Jamaica. For sociolinguists and second language/dialect researchers interested in the acquisition and use of sociolinguistic variables, an important challenge is how to efficiently account for language learning mechanisms and use. To date, this book is the first to offer an interdisciplinary look into phonological and phonetic variation observed in primary school in Jamaica, that is from the perspective of classic variationist and quantitative sociolinguistics and a usage-based model. Both frameworks function as explanatory for the children s learning of phono-stylistic variation, which they encounter in their immediate linguistic environment, i.e. most often through their teachers speech. This book is intended for sociolinguists interested in child language variation, linguists working on formal aspects of the languages of the Caribbean, applied linguists concerned with the teaching and learning of second language phonology, and any researchers interested in applying variationist and quantitative methods to classroom second language learning. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: The Slang Dictionary: Etymological, Historical, and Anecdotal John Camden Hotten, 1874 |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: 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. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Coptic Etymological Dictionary Jaroslav Černý, 2010-10-31 Coptic was the language spoken in Egypt from late ancient times to the seventeenth century, when it was overtaken by Arabic as the national language. Derived from ancient Egyptian, the language of the hieroglyphs, it was written in an adapted form of Greek script. This dictionary lists about 2,000 Coptic words whose etymology has been established from ancient Egyptian and Greek sources, covering two-thirds of the known Coptic vocabulary and complementing W. E. Crum's 1939 Coptic Dictionary, still the standard in the field. The Egyptian forms are quoted in hieroglyphic and/or demotic forms. An appendix lists the etymologies of Coptic place-names. The final work of Czech Egyptologist Jaroslav Černý (1898-1970), Professor of Egyptology at Oxford, the Dictionary was brought through to publication by colleagues after his death. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Dictionary of Newfoundland English W.J. Kirwin, G. M. Story, J.D.A. Widdowson, 1990-11-01 The Dictionary of Newfoundland English, first published in 1982 to regional, national, and international acclaim, is a historical dictionary that gives the pronunciations and definitions for words that the editors have called Newfoundland English. The varieties of English spoken in Newfoundland date back four centuries, mainly to the early seventeenth-century migratory English fishermen of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset, and to the seventeenth- to the nineteenth-century immigrants chiefly from southeastern Ireland. Culled from a vast reading of books, newspapers, and magazines, this book is the most sustained reading ever undertaken of the written words of this province. The dictionary gives not only the meaning of words, but also presents each word with its variant spellings. Moreover, each definition is succeeded by an all-important quotation of usage which illustrates the typical context in which word is used. This well-researched, impressive work of scholarship illustrates how words and phrases have evolved and are used in everyday speech and writing in a specific geographical area. The Dictionary of Newfoundland English is one of the most important, comprehensive, and thorough works dealing with Newfoundland. Its publication, a great addition to Newfoundlandia, Canadiana, and lexicography, provides more than a regional lexicon. In fact, this entertaining and delightful book presents a panoramic view of the social, cultural, and natural history, as well as the geography and economics, of the quintessential lifestyle of one of Canada's oldest European-settled areas. This second edition contains a supplement offering approximately 1500 new or expanded entries, an increase of more than 30 per cent over the first edition. Besides new words, the supplement includes modified and additional senses of old words and fresh derivations and usages. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: How to Love a Jamaican Alexia Arthurs, 2018-07-24 “In these kaleidoscopic stories of Jamaica and its diaspora we hear many voices at once. All of them convince and sing. All of them shine.”—Zadie Smith An O: The Oprah Magazine “Top 15 Best of the Year” • A Well-Read Black Girl Pick Tenderness and cruelty, loyalty and betrayal, ambition and regret—Alexia Arthurs navigates these tensions to extraordinary effect in her debut collection about Jamaican immigrants and their families back home. Sweeping from close-knit island communities to the streets of New York City and midwestern university towns, these eleven stories form a portrait of a nation, a people, and a way of life. In “Light-Skinned Girls and Kelly Rowlands,” an NYU student befriends a fellow Jamaican whose privileged West Coast upbringing has blinded her to the hard realities of race. In “Mash Up Love,” a twin’s chance sighting of his estranged brother—the prodigal son of the family—stirs up unresolved feelings of resentment. In “Bad Behavior,” a couple leave their wild teenage daughter with her grandmother in Jamaica, hoping the old ways will straighten her out. In “Mermaid River,” a Jamaican teenage boy is reunited with his mother in New York after eight years apart. In “The Ghost of Jia Yi,” a recently murdered student haunts a despairing Jamaican athlete recruited to an Iowa college. And in “Shirley from a Small Place,” a world-famous pop star retreats to her mother’s big new house in Jamaica, which still holds the power to restore something vital. Alexia Arthurs emerges in this vibrant, lyrical, intimate collection as one of fiction’s most dynamic and essential authors. Praise for How to Love a Jamaican “A sublime short-story collection from newcomer Alexia Arthurs that explores, through various characters, a specific strand of the immigrant experience.”—Entertainment Weekly “With its singular mix of psychological precision and sun-kissed lyricism, this dazzling debut marks the emergence of a knockout new voice.”—O: The Oprah Magazine “Gorgeous, tender, heartbreaking stories . . . Arthurs is a witty, perceptive, and generous writer, and this is a book that will last.”—Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties “Vivid and exciting . . . every story rings beautifully true.”—Marie Claire |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Lafayette's Dictionary Shechem Lafayette, 2005-10-01 Lafayette's Dictionary is unique. First of its kind. This book is designed to break that non-understanding barrier between Jamaica's and other cultures. It is perfect for traveling, shopping, and socializing. Even the news media, news reporters, journalists, embassies, consulates, interpreters, teachers, students, parents and children can benefit from this dictionary. With this dictionary, a person can effectively communicate with West Indies in all walks of life. This book is a learning tool for beginners, intermediary and advanced speakers of this Jamaican dialect. It is great for self-study or any educational system such as colleges and universities. In any case, if you are traveling to Jamaica, the lovely tourist attraction and vacationer's paradise, I would strongly recommend that you grab a hold of this little gem. Don't leave home without this book! With tourism and business now booming in Jamaica, the need to know the Jamaican dialect has never been more urging. To keep all of this in perspective, It helps to point out to readers that currently, tourism and businesses are at an all time high In Jamaica. This is true largely due to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in America. The aftermath of this terrible tragic event have diverted most tourists and businesses to Jamaica, as opposed to elsewhere. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Augustown Kei Miller, 2017-05-23 11 April 1982: a smell is coming down John Golding Road right alongside the boy-child, something attached to him, like a spirit but not quite. Ma Taffy is growing worried. She knows that something is going to happen. Something terrible is going to pour out into the world. But if she can hold it off for just a little bit longer, she will. So she asks a question that surprises herself even as she asks it, Kaia, I ever tell you bout the flying preacherman? Set in the backlands of Jamaica, Augustown is a magical and haunting novel of one woman’s struggle to rise above the brutal vicissitudes of history, race, class, collective memory, violence, and myth. |
| jamaican dialect dictionary: Urban Jamaican Creole Peter L. Patrick, 1999-01-01 A synchronic sociolinguistic study of Jamaican Creole (JC) as spoken in urban Kingston, this work uses variationist methods to closely investigate two key concepts of Atlantic Creole studies: the mesolect, and the creole continuum. One major concern is to describe how linguistic variation patterns with social influences. Is there a linguistic continuum? How does it correlate with social factors? The complex organization of an urbanizing Caribbean society and the highly variable nature of mesolectal speech norms and behavior present a challenge to sociolinguistic variation theory. The second chief aim is to elucidate the nature of mesolectal grammar. Creole studies have emphasized the structural integrity of basilectal varieties, leaving the status of intermediate mesolectal speech in doubt. How systematic is urban JC grammar? What patterns occur when basilectal creole constructions alternate with acrolectal English elements? Contextual constraints on choice of forms support a picture of the mesolect as a single grammar, variable yet internally-ordered, which has evolved a fine capacity to serve social functions. Drawing on a year's fieldwork in a mixed-class neighborhood of the capital city, the author (a speaker of JC) describes the speech community's history, demographics, and social geography, locating speakers in terms of their social class, occupation, education, age, sex, residence, and urban orientation. The later chapters examine a recorded corpus for linguistic variables that are phono-lexical (palatal glides), phonological (consonant cluster simplification), morphological (past-tense inflection), and syntactic (pre-verbal tense and aspect marking), using quantitative methods of analysis (including Varbrul). The Jamaican urban mesolect is portrayed as a coherent system showing stratified yet regular linguistic behavior, embedded in a well-defined speech community; despite the incorporation of forms and constraints from English, it is quintessentially creole in character. |
Jamaican Dialect Dictionary (book) - netsec.csuci.edu
deeper appreciation of Jamaican Patois, providing you with a virtual Jamaican dialect dictionary and the context …
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Oct 4, 2023 · Official Dictionary of Jamaican Words and Proverbs Kevin S. Harris,2002 As Jamaica expands its …
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Aug 21, 2023 · the only thesaurus of the Jamaican Patois dialect and also as the only English-to-Jamaican translation …
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
This extraordinary book, aptly titled "Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases ," published by a …
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Jamaican Phrases Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases functions as both the only thesaurus …
Jamaican Dialect Dictionary
functions as both the only thesaurus of the Jamaican dialect (Patois, Patwa) and the only translation dictionary to go …
Jamaican Patois Dictionary
dialect (Patois, Patwa) and the only translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican. As such, it is an …
Dictionary Of Jamaican English
With 3,781 entries and 14,000 translations and synonyms, it is not only the first translation dictionary …
Jamaican Dialect Dictionary (book) - netsec.csuci.edu
deeper appreciation of Jamaican Patois, providing you with a virtual Jamaican dialect dictionary and the context you need to understand its nuances. We'll explore its origins, common phrases, and resources available to help you master this captivating linguistic landscape. Understanding the Roots of Jamaican Patois
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Oct 4, 2023 · Official Dictionary of Jamaican Words and Proverbs Kevin S. Harris,2002 As Jamaica expands its reach into the … Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases WEBFollowing in the footsteps of the popular and fun Jamaican Dancehall Dictionary comes this guide to words and proverbs. …
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Aug 21, 2023 · the only thesaurus of the Jamaican Patois dialect and also as the only English-to-Jamaican translation dictionary. Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases capture the colour and style of the everyday Jamaican lifestyle. Following in the footsteps of the popular and fun Jamaican Dancehall Dictionary comes this guide to words and ...
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
This extraordinary book, aptly titled "Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases ," published by a very acclaimed author, immerses readers in a captivating exploration of the significance of language and its profound effect on our existence.
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Jamaican Phrases Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases functions as both the only thesaurus of the Jamaican dialect (Patois, Patwa) and the only translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican.
Jamaican Dialect Dictionary
functions as both the only thesaurus of the Jamaican dialect (Patois, Patwa) and the only translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican. As such, it is an essential resource for anyone interested in Jamaican culture and language, local or foreigner, as it marks a new milestone for Jamaican Patois as a language of increasing global ...
Jamaican Patois Dictionary
dialect (Patois, Patwa) and the only translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican. As such, it is an essential resource for anyone interested in Jamaican culture and language,...
Dictionary Of Jamaican English
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.
Jabari Authentic Jamaican Dictionary Of The Jamic …
Jabari's Authentic Jamaican Dictionary: Unlocking the Rhythms of Patwa Jamaican Patois, or Patwa, is more than just a dialect; it's a vibrant tapestry woven from African, European, and indigenous threads, reflecting the island's rich and complex history. Understanding Patwa unlocks a deeper appreciation for Jamaican
Jamaican Language Dictionary Full PDF
the only thesaurus of the Jamaican dialect Patois Patwa and the only translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican As such it is an essential resource for anyone interested in Jamaican culture and language local or foreigner as it marks a new milestone for Jamaican
Jamaican Language Dictionary (book)
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
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Of Popular Jamaican Phrases 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
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Jamaican Phrases LMH Official Dictionary of Jamaican Words and Proverbs Kevin S. Harris,2002 As Jamaica expands its reach into the world and the interest in its culture and history grows, more and more people have asked for a series of titles
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Apr 30, 2023 · Jamaican Phrases Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases functions as both the only thesaurus of the Jamaican Patois dialect and also as the only English-to-Jamaican translation dictionary.
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases Following in the footsteps of the popular and fun Jamaican Dancehall Dictionary comes this guide to words and proverbs. Illustrated throughout with humorous b/w line drawings.
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases functions as both the only thesaurus of the Jamaican dialect (Patois, Patwa) and the only translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican. As such, it is an essential resource for
A Critical Commentary on the Dictionary of Jamaican English
What is to be expected in a dictionary that calls itself a Dictionary of Jamaican English? The authors make their understanding of the label quite clear in the General Introduction (p. xiv), where they distinguish seven criteria, any of which qualifies words for entry. These can be subdivided into three broad categories, as follows:
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases 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 …
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 English Dictionary, but oral sources have been extensively tapped in addition to detailed coverage of literature published in or about Jamaica since 1655.
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases
Lmh Official Dictionary Of Popular Jamaican Phrases functions as both the only thesaurus of the Jamaican dialect (Patois, Patwa) and the only translation dictionary to go from English to Jamaican.
