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The sweet sound of patois

07/16/05

Permalink 03:57:45 pm, by Melba
Categories: Commentary

The sweet sound of patois

Have you ever experienced being lost and then eventually recognizing someone or someplace. The joy of relief that you feel in that moment that you are found is so great it's unbelievable. Well it's the same feeling you get when you are away from Jamaica and hear a fellow Jamaican speak.
Most persons tend to adopt the accent of the natives wherever they are. Sometimes it's the only way to be understood. 'Sometimes dem jus tink dem cute', or is it 'when in Rome do as the Romans'. Well, whatever the reason the minute a Jamaican hears a fellow Jamaican in 'forien' it's amazing how quickly they 'laps back ina the patois'. Everybody 'bus hout a laff' and an onlooker would believe you all know each other from 'Adam'. They have no idea 'what a clack a strike'.
It becomes even sweeter the farther away you are from home.I have personally had the experience on a bus in Hong Kong, in a supermarket in Seattle and in a restaurant in Maui and in all cases it made my holiday.
Today travelling has become a way of life for many Jamaicans. Either for business or pleasure. There are also a lot of Jamaicans living in foreign lands near and far. So when you 'buckup' a fellow Jamaican 'a forien' don't hold back. Let the sweet sound of our native patois be your bond.
Nuff love

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Bruk Pocket Jamaican

"Recently, this Jamaican won the 10 million special lottery for a dollar. As soon as the office of the Lottery Corporation was open on the following day, he was there to collect his winnings.

Graciously, he presented his winning ticket to the clerk and in his best English uttered his request "Me cum fi collect the 10 millian dallars, si me ticket ya".

After reviewing and checking the ticket with his manager, the clerk returned and requested on how he would like his payments. The Jamaican replied "Mi wan all a de moni now". "Unfortunately, Sir" the nervous clerk responded, "The procedures are that we can only give you one million now and the balance equally over the next 20 years".

Furious and agitated, the Jamaican asked for the manager, who re-iterated "Sir, my assistant is correct, it is the regulation of the corporation that we initially pay you one million dollars now with the balance paid to you equally over the next 20 years".

Outraged, the Jamaican slammed his hand on the desk and shouted in anger, "Oonu tek me fi idiat, me wan all a de moni now or oonu gi me bak me rass dallar!!"

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