Letter of the Day | Let us take pride in Jamaican Creole

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The language attitude survey conducted by The Jamaican Language Unit in 2005 highlighted that more than 75 per cent of people are speakers of Jamaican Creole (Patwah).

Jamaican Creole possesses all the features and rules of language however, it is not officially recognised as a language by statute law. There are many reasons for snail-paced approval of the language by the legislature. Some include the prestige of Jamaican Creole in society. It is a language that occupies the basilectal continuum. It is spoken by those who may not have received a formal education. Despite its substratal status and subsequent discrimination, it is a language that portrays the resilience and intelligence of Africans who worked on the sugar plantations. We should not wait for the official recognition of the language, which may never happen. Instead, let us continue to be proud of its ability to define and unite us as Jamaicans.

Patois, I believe, is a part of our identity. It is a part of the list of items that define a Jamaican. If you are seeking direction or information, you will likely receive the instructions in Jamaican Creole. Jamaican Creole is used in music and in many of our cultural art forms. Bob Marley in Who the Cap Fit used a popular Jamaican proverb: “Mi throw mi corn, but me no call no foul.” Miss Lou, in her poems like ‘Nuh Likkle Twang’ and in ‘New Scholar’, used Patwah. The Patwah Bible cements Jamaican Creole as a language and further demonstrates the unique identity of Jamaicans. Speaking Patwah is an unwritten code of identity.

In this election period, most speeches that are given during the campaigning are in Jamaican Creole. Communication and comprehension by Jamaicans is achieved through Jamaican Creole. This usage of the language by all Jamaicans is what makes it a unifying entity.

Patwah united all the Africans who were from different regions. Today, Patwah is uniting Jamaicans of all backgrounds. We are one because we speak patwah.

In the observance of our Emancipation and Independence dates, let us be reminded of the resilience of Africans who, despite being subject to harsh working conditions, created a language that has survived and is utilised in our context. Today, patwah is not an official language, however, it is loved by all people. It is utilised in social settings and in cultural art forms. Let us be proud of this language because it defines and unites us.

ANORD SICHINSAMBWE

sichinsambweanord@gmail.

com