Dialects of Jamaica Kristián Leško, III. E

Overview Jamaican Standard English Jamaican Patois (Jamaican Creole) Iyaric

Jamaican Standard English Close to British and American English Irish intonation 20 th century – greater influence of the U. S. Vocabulary  older – British  newer - American

Jamaican Patois 17 th century – African slaves Mix of English and West African languages Mostly spoken 20 th century – literature  2011 – Bible translation (“Di Jamiekan Nyuu Testiment”)

Iyaric Created by African slaves  English viewed as colonial language Modified vocabulary Some words used internationally  e. g., dreadlocks

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