South Africa and Jamaica are not listed in most of Kachru’s papers, because of the sociolinguistic complexity of these two countries in terms of their English-using populations and the functions of English. Therefore, Jamaica cannot be classified within Kachru’s three circle model.
“The language situation in Jamaica is extremely difficult to classify; even linguists are uncertain about how many discrete languages/dialects are spoken there” (Alleyne1985: 156).
The language situation in Jamaica
The official language of Jamaica is English. Jamaican Standard English is a dialect of English encompassing and merges, in a unique way, parts of both American English and British English dialects. It is not to be confused with Jamaican Creole, which the locals refer to as “Patois”, nor with the vocabulary and language usage of the Rastafarian movement.
Description
Jamaican Standard English and Jamaican “Patois” however, exist side by side in the island in a typical diglossic pattern; although the distinction between the two varieties is best described as a continuum rather than a solid line. , “Patois” or “Patwa” is a French term referring to regional languages of France, which include some Creole languages, but in Jamaica it refers to Jamaican Creole, which Jamaicans have traditionally seen as "broken", "bad", or incorrect Standard English.
Jamaican Standard English is not similar to Jamaican “patois”, the spoken language of Jamaica. The strong cultural blend in Jamaica has resulted in the formation of “Patois” which is a dialect, a mixture of English with other European as well as Caribbean languages. Jamaican English is, on the other hand, a ‘proper’ language based on the grammar and vocabulary of Standard British English.
The decolonization of Jamaica and the improving contacts with the outside world have given the Jamaicans a sense of pride of their strong cultural roots. The regional influence can be observed in the formal usage of English in Jamaica Words and phrases belonging to the spoken language are finding a place in the Jamaican English vocabulary.
Jamaican Standard English is not similar to Jamaican “patois”, the spoken language of Jamaica. The strong cultural blend in Jamaica has resulted in the formation of “Patois” which is a dialect, a mixture of English with other European as well as Caribbean languages. Jamaican English is, on the other hand, a ‘proper’ language based on the grammar and vocabulary of Standard British English.
The decolonization of Jamaica and the improving contacts with the outside world have given the Jamaicans a sense of pride of their strong cultural roots. The regional influence can be observed in the formal usage of English in Jamaica Words and phrases belonging to the spoken language are finding a place in the Jamaican English vocabulary.
The continuum
Languages in Jamaica |
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English is the official language in Jamaica as in all the anglophone Caribbean islands. It is the linguistic badge, which one wears when one wants to identify with a certain level of sophistication, of linguistic competence, and of having ‘arrived’ in a highly stratified society. (Pollard, 1998, p.9)
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Jamaican Creole, and English-related Creole is the language of the people. It is the language they use in day-to-day relaxed situations. It is the language Jamaicans of all classes turn to when they are away from home and feel the need to establish their identities. (Pollard, 1998, p.9)
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As said before, Jamaican Patois is not to be confused with Jamaican Standard English as there are several features which differentiate Jamaican Patois from Jamaican Standard English.
Jamaican Patois is widely spoken in Jamaica and as such, over ninety percent of the population speaks Jamaican Patois though it is not the official language. On the contrary, Jamaican Standard English is the official language of Jamaica; nevertheless Jamaican Standard English is not spoken as widely as Jamaican Creole.
In addition, Jamaican Standard English has written and a spoken form, while Jamaican Patois is mostly spoken. Several people claim that Jamaican 'Patois' does not have a standardized writing system.
In addition, Jamaican Standard English has written and a spoken form, while Jamaican Patois is mostly spoken. Several people claim that Jamaican 'Patois' does not have a standardized writing system.