Jamaican Language – Influences on Its Vocabulary

Jamaican Patois is an expressive and colorful language. Jamaican words often have one meaning in one context but have a different meaning in another context. Other languages, foreign cultures and even aspects of Jamaican culture itself have had heavy influences on the Jamaican language. Two of the least thought of aspects of Jamaican culture which have heavily influenced Jamaican language are farming and animals.

Farming

Historically, Jamaica has mostly been an agricultural society. Jamaica’s economy depends heavily on agriculture. The country exports many metric tons of cash crops each year. For over a hundred years the local population has had close ties to land. Therefore, it should be no surprise that many of the expressions and phrases used or coined in Jamaican Patois (the local dialect) are directly related to farming. Examples of farming related expressions include:

tick lakka banana leaf – broad like the leaf of a banana tree

trait lakka yam tik – straight like a yam pole

sweet lakka pitaytah – sweet like potatoes

crush up lakka chocho leaf – wrinkled like the leaf of a choyote

Animals

References to animals are frequently used when speaking figuratively in Jamaican Patois. Animal husbandry and farming are quite popular on the island. A variety of animals such as cows, goats, chicken, donkeys, and horses can be found in the Jamaican countryside. Not only are there many farm animals in Jamaica but due to the large areas of forests and woodlands (albeit fragmented forests and woodlands) a variety of insects and local fauna can be found. Many species of birds, butterflies and other smaller variety of wildlife can also be found in Jamaica. This abundance of animal life has also contributed to the Jamaican language. As a matter of fact, if you spend a lot of time in Jamaica or around Jamaicans you will undoubtedly hear them making references to animals or using animals comparatively when speaking the language. Here are a few examples of Jamaican expressions which make references to animals.

Flyup lakka fowl fedda – to scatter like feathers

faas lakka pouhs – nosy like a cat

ting lakka galla whaas – hurtful like the sting of a wasp

naasy lakka ‘ag pen – dirty like a hog’s home

pitch up lakka pitcheery – to show up uninvited / to stand up / to perch

Jamaican Patois is an expressive and colorful language. Other foreign languages, and different aspects of Jamaican culture and society have had heavy influences on the Jamaican language. Two of the least thought of aspects of Jamaican culture which have heavily influenced Jamaican language are farming and animals (found in Jamaica). This article took a look at both farming and local Jamaican animals and how they have influenced the Jamaican language.



Source by Andee M

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