Patois is a dialect and not a language. Kind of like I live in Florida part of the year and people are coming with the "Shure nuff" and "Ya'all" stuff but it is still English (though not what someone from England would call GOOD English!)
Like Goldilocks, i have picked it up mostly listening to the music and Kingstonian Patois is much different than St. Elizabeth Patois and so on. My best friend, Marshall, once said.... "If you can't understand what someone is saying then it might be best to just smile; excuse yourself and walk away as Jamaicans speak English."
The Patois in Accompong Town is not only different but it is riddled with African words and dialect. I seem to have very little trouble in understanding what is being said to me but for me to chat it back in a less than efficient manner is fruitless. I think the Maroons get a kick out of me trying though!
All someone has to do is look at you and know you are not a Jamaican so why would it be so important to try to talk like one??
Peace and Guidance
