Encourage foreigners to learn Patois to boost tourism

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Those who argue that Patois brings with it serious communication gaps may be right in some respects; yet, that could also be true of any language.

But to say that because an existing highway already provides several bridges and interchanges, there is no need to cut new and independent roads, is uninspiring, tedious and cagey. Currently, there are a number of foreigners in New York, and elsewhere, who are pursuing studying of the Jamaican language, so that they may be more personally connected with the culture. To them, the Jamaican Creole is just another way to be immersed in the island experience – like the food, beaches, tropical weather, hills, waterfalls, rum, reggae music; and the list goes on.

Foreigners pursue Patois as if it’s the holy grail of communication. If they are so passionate in learning the language, why should we not allow them deeper inroads into the island’s rich and diverse culture? Tourists visit countries to explore and discover. I’m sure that if Patois were able to fill the communication gaps, there would be no less objections against the language than we hear about now – one of the concerns is about its aesthetics.

How mi sound? Yet, no language is an island. I was in Myanmar not long ago, and although we seem to pride the universality of the English language, you could easily go hungry or lost, as the primary mode of communication is Burmese, not English.

This is not to discount the scope and coverage of English language across the world. It doesn’t make sense to needlessly censure the Jamaican Creole when visitors are zealously seeking to learn it.

HOMER SYLVESTER

New York