Jamaican Patois Is a Language; End of Story
I have been seeing many posts and comments about Jamaican Patois being used in Parliament. People are passionate about this topic, and after reading so many opinions online, I felt I needed to weigh in. My goal is not to argue whether Patois should or should not be used in Parliament. If the agreed language […]
Honouring Michael ‘Mike’ Fray: Two-Time Olympian and Record Breaking Sprint Pioneer
Michael “Mike” Fray was one of the outstanding Jamaican sprinters of the 1960s and early 1970s, a period when the island was beginning to build its formidable reputation in world athletics. Born in Kingston on September 3rd, 1947, Fray rose from schoolboy promise at St. Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) to become a two-time Olympian, […]
The ‘Surprising’ Similarities Between Jamaican Patois and Gullah Aren’t Surprising at All
Many people are surprised to find out just how much the Jamaican Patois (also called Patwa) and the Gullah language of the southeastern United States have in common. While these languages come from different regions — Jamaica and the Sea Islands of the U.S. South — they share deep historical and linguistic roots. Both were […]
Nutten New Under Di Sun: How Young Jamaicans Are Flipping Old-Time Sayings
As Jamaicans love to say, ‘nutten nuh new under di sun.’ Whether it’s music, fashion or language, things we think are brand new often have roots in the past—just dressed in different clothes. Jamaican Patois, shaped by African, European and Indigenous influences, has long carried wisdom, humour and rhythm. And now, a new generation is […]
Why Jamaican Patois Will Never Die: 8 Key Reasons
Recently, a non-Jamaican friend asked me an intriguing question: “Since the Jamaican government doesn’t officially recognize patois, could it eventually die out like many indigenous languages?” It reminded me of my childhood when speaking Jamaican patois was discouraged, labeled as “chatting badly.” Today, that perception has changed. Patois is celebrated in everyday life, media, and […]
So Is It Horse Dead And Cow Fat or Horse Dead And Crow Fat? The Debate About This Jamaican Proverb
Recently, some people have been arguing that the correct version of the popular Jamaican saying is “Horse dead and crow fat” instead of the widely known “Horse dead and cow fat.” However, whether this is true or not remains open to interpretation. Jamaican proverbs often evolve over time, with different meanings attached depending on the […]
Interview: Professor Hubert Devonish, Advocate for Jamaican Patois as a Language
Professor Hubert Devonish of the University of the West Indies has been one of the strongest advocates fighting for Jamaican Patois as a Language. He has created a writing and spelling system for Jamaican Patois. This month we have a conversation with him about Jamaican Patois as a Language. Q: When did you come to […]
Top 10 Most Charming and Hilarious Pick-Up Lines and Compliments from Jamaican Men
As a Jamaican woman who has travelled to several countries, I must say Jamaican men have some of the best pick-up lines—or as we call them in Jamaica, “lyrics.” I may sound biased, but after experiencing countless “checkings” during my travels and hearing pick-up lines from around the globe, nothing compares to the creativity and […]
15 Jamaican Patois Slangs You Should Add to your Vocabulary
While Jamaicans are native English speakers, their heritage and history have molded Patois (the native language) into a unique form of expression. It’s fun, expressive, and integral to the Jamaican experience but can sometimes be puzzling for visitors, especially as it evolves with every generation. With this evolution of the language and the creation of […]
10 ways to apologize like a Jamaican
In Jamaica, pride is a highly-valued personal trait so apologies don’t come easy. Jamaicans have basically mastered the art of saying “sorry” without saying, “sorry”. If you are ever in a situation where you need to apologize but you don’t really want to, here are 10 Jamaican ways to patch things up: “Hush” When a […]