2. Introduction
Jamaica‟s official language is English.
English is the written language in Jamaica.
Jamaica does have it own language part from
English, know as Patois.
Patois is a conversational language rather than
written.
4. Simple Words in Patois
English Patois
And An
Brother Bredda
Car Cyar
Child Pickney
Down Dung
Evening Eveling
Friend Fren‟
Give Me Gimme
Her Har
Him „Im
In The Inna
5. Simple Words in Patois
English Patois
Last Lass
Me Mi
Mother Madda
Never Neba
Peasant Quashi
Rather Radda
Sir Sa
Thanks Tanks
Understand Undastan
What Wa
Yes Yeh
7. Examples
Example 1:
Patois – “Wa‟ppun Sue!”
English Translation – “What‟s happening Sue!”
Example 2:
Patois – “Mi nuh know weh dat deh.”
English – “I don‟t know where that is.”
8. Examples
Example 3:
Patois – “Weh yuh deh?”
English Translation – “Where are you?”
Example 4:
Patois – “Waah gwan?”
English Translation – “What‟s going on?”
9. Examples
Example 5:
Patois – “Mi a go ova deh so.”
English Translation – “I‟m going over there.”
Example 6:
Patois – “Mi soon cum.”
English Translation – “I‟ll be there soon.”
10. Example
Example 7:
Patois – “A wah time?”
English Translation – “What time is it?”
Example 8:
Patois – “Mi a go run a boat lata.”
English Translation – “I‟m going to cook a big meal
later.”
11. Example
Example 9:
Patois – “A weh dat deh?”
English Translation – “Where is that?”
Example 10:
Patois – “Mi seh, mi name a Simone.”
English Translation – “I said my name is Simone.”
