How to Learn Jamaican Slang

Nearly everybody in Jamaica is bi-lingual! Sure, Jamaica is an English speaking country. However, there is the King's English and there is Jamaican slang, a language unto itself. In Jamaica, the slang spoken everyday is a mixture of English and African languages, and possibly others, including the language of the original Arawak inhabitants. This patois will delight the ear and confuse the brain with words used in ways that you have never imagined. Increasing your Jamaican slang vocabulary can be fun and useful, even if you do not have travel plans just yet.

Things You'll Need

• Real Player

Instructions

1. Download a text study guide for Jamaican slang at the Niceup website. These dictionary listings include a good alphabetical selection of Jamaica's patois, as well as phrases and expressions associated with Reggae musicians and Jamaica's Rasta community.

2. Practice pronouncing common Jamaican slang terms, using the glossary at the Speak Jamaican website. It's arranged alphabetically with pronunciation clues for words that may be mispronounced by non-Jamaican speakers.

3. Use the Jamaican Dictionary or see the King's English translated into Jamaica's patois at the Jamaicans website. Hear sound clips of common slang expressions. Learn to make Jamaican Internet shortcuts and emoticons, too. Link up with Jamaicans around the world and learn more about the 2 languages of Jamaica.

4. Read "Jamaican Patois," an academic paper hosted on the University of Vermont website. The author presents an in-depth analysis of the origins of and evolution of Jamaica's patois. You will also get pointers on the acceptable uses of Jamaica's slang.

5. Get the book, "How to Speak Jamaican," and learn more about slang phrases, syntax and dialects that form the patois spoken in Jamaica.

Tips & Warnings

• Some vocabulary links on Jamaican slang sites will contain explicit expressions or discuss topics that require parental guidance.