The introduction of English to Jamaica
Jamaica has gone through a number of linguistic changes, before it became the biggest English-speaking country in the Caribbean Sea.
The Arawaks are considered Jamaica’s indigenous inhabitants. Jamaica was first colonized by Spain. The Spanish came to the island and brought their language. For the Arawaks, who spoke Taino, and the Spanish, who spoke Spanish, communication was necessary, and so Spanish based pidgins immerged.
In 1655, the British settled in Jamaica, and so it became a British colony. English settlers introduced early Modern English. As the sugar cane plantations grew, the need for slaves was evident. Slaves were imported from West Africa. Like the Spanish based pidgins, an English based pidgin emerged to fulfill the imminent need for communication. With time, Spanish-based pidgins started to disappear with the decreasing number of its speakers, which was at the benefit of the English based pidgin. The Maroons who spoke Spanish based pidgins were only a small number of the population, and so could not resist the change. In the 18th century, the English based pidgin developed into Jamaican Creole.
Jamaica reached independence in 1962 which explains the deep rooted influence that Standard British English has had on the linguistic scene of the island. Now, both Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole are spoken in the country.
The Arawaks are considered Jamaica’s indigenous inhabitants. Jamaica was first colonized by Spain. The Spanish came to the island and brought their language. For the Arawaks, who spoke Taino, and the Spanish, who spoke Spanish, communication was necessary, and so Spanish based pidgins immerged.
In 1655, the British settled in Jamaica, and so it became a British colony. English settlers introduced early Modern English. As the sugar cane plantations grew, the need for slaves was evident. Slaves were imported from West Africa. Like the Spanish based pidgins, an English based pidgin emerged to fulfill the imminent need for communication. With time, Spanish-based pidgins started to disappear with the decreasing number of its speakers, which was at the benefit of the English based pidgin. The Maroons who spoke Spanish based pidgins were only a small number of the population, and so could not resist the change. In the 18th century, the English based pidgin developed into Jamaican Creole.
Jamaica reached independence in 1962 which explains the deep rooted influence that Standard British English has had on the linguistic scene of the island. Now, both Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole are spoken in the country.
The story of how English came to Jamaica is closely connected to one of the most shameful chapters in the history of the British Empire – the slave trade.
Here is a brief timeline depicting the introduction of English in Jamaica.
Here is a brief timeline depicting the introduction of English in Jamaica.