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Thread: Patois

  1. #1
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    Patois

    Any way to learn patois other than moving to Jamaica? I'd love to learn the language.
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  2. #2
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    Re: Patois

    What a coincidence, I just realized I'd like to learn patois too. Haven't done much, but noticed One Stop Jamaica has a vocabulary list posted on their website. I have no idea if the list is accurate. Started listening carefully to music and reading lyrics on Damien Marley's YouTube videos. Practice singing a long. Listening to different accents, soaking in the sounds, rhythm and tone. I'm impressed by the musical quality. Some of the expressions are beautiful. A Jamaican friend tried to teach me a few expressions.

  3. #3
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    Re: Patois

    Quote Originally Posted by gregandkelly63 View Post
    Any way to learn patois other than moving to Jamaica? I'd love to learn the language.
    Watch movies with sub titles...Shottas is the only one I can think of right now

  4. #4
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    Re: Patois

    Quote Originally Posted by gregandkelly63 View Post
    Any way to learn patois other than moving to Jamaica? I'd love to learn the language.
    To understand Patois is very different than speaking it.
    Linston's Zion Hill Taxi

    Captain Dave

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    Re: Patois

    Jamaicans will likely understand your English better than any potios you'll learn. I'll also second captaind's comment.

    Blue Cave Castle '12, '13 '14 '15 '16 Catcha Falling Star '13 Boardwalk Village '14 '15

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    Re: Patois

    I like to read the editorial and more salacious sections of a couple of the online Jamaican news papers. While I think I have gotten a basic understanding (often simply by context) of Patois on a written level, I can not understand 1/10th of what is being said after multiple trips, and would only make a fool of myself were I to try and communicate that way. Once in a while I turn the Jamaican radio stations on with the iPad. Callers who really get going on some of those shows may as well be speaking Martian for all of my supposed understanding . I think it is one of those things where either growing up with it, or nothing short of a total immersion into the language will serve to understand.

  7. #7
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    Re: Patois

    The language here is SOOOOOO creative, I love it! It is more than words; often what you hear is a clever version of what is meant. Ingest a variety of print, radio and tv, especially the commercials. Listen to conversations and try to follow the thread. In conversation start using some of the word styles and phrases you hear that are different from yours. Listen to DJ's and dancehall recordings. Ask for translations. I've learned a lot from the bits that people share in their trip reports. Eventually it starts to come together. Thus far I don't speak it but I use phrases and can understand a lot if I can hear it well enough.

  8. #8
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    Re: Patois

    On the flip side I was having a typical English-speaking conversation with a 10-yr old Jamaican girl I've known a long time about a topic she knew of but had very little actual knowledge. I went too far too fast and she said "I don't understand a word you are saying, it is like you are speaking Chinese."

  9. #9
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    Re: Patois

    We learned by total immersion. There were months in which we wouldn't even see foreigners. During the off season we'd be up on Zion Hill or over at the Estate for weeks on end. Only time we'd go to Negril was to visit our Jamaican friends and family.

    Miss G understands every word but doesn't speak with the accent. However, she uses the proper idiom. I on the other hand have always loved to mimic and so I worked on my accent, pronunciation, body language etc.

    Remember that all Jamaican's speak two languages Patios and the Queen's English. I speak the Queens English in any formal or certain other situations depending on whom I'm conversing with.

    Just about the only time I speak American is when talking to visitors
    Last edited by captaind; 03-31-2014 at 03:46 PM.
    Linston's Zion Hill Taxi

    Captain Dave

  10. #10
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    Re: Patois

    According to this guy... just toss in a few "rasclaats and bumbas" in there... you should be just fine

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