| One of the main concerns people have when | | | | unofficial language while English is the official language |
| traveling to Jamaica or any other foreign country is | | | | of the island. Because of the accents of African |
| the language. Will they be able to communicate with | | | | descent the language can be sometimes difficult to |
| the natives? Will their vacation be enjoyable if they | | | | understand. For the most part the dialect can be |
| are unable to seek as the natives do? Are the basics | | | | deciphered with a bit of knowledge of the culture. |
| of the language difficult to learn? | | | | Keep in mind as well that Jamaicans are educated |
| In terms of Jamaican language or dialect, I will try to | | | | with the English Language in school and even though |
| inform you about some of the basics of the | | | | they may not choose to speak the language |
| language. I am not sure I can tell you how to speak | | | | properly, they understand it and for the most part |
| Jamaican, but learning a bit about the language can | | | | can speak it well. |
| make communication with a Jamaican a somewhat | | | | It is a beautiful dialect which can be heard in anything |
| easier. | | | | Jamaican, especially the music. Many people have |
| The Jamaican vocabulary is derived from English and | | | | heard examples of the language through the famous |
| African languages. The Jamaican language is really | | | | sounds of Bob Marley. The language is such a part of |
| English but with its own cultural twist or dialect called | | | | the culture that many of the stories and folklore are |
| patois (pronounced "patwah"). I guess patois is the | | | | communicated in patois. |