How to Speak Basic Jamaican

Patois is the language of the islands. Speaking "Jamaican" and communicating with the island residents is pretty easy of you know a few basics. Patois is just slan English. Before you book your next holiday or go to your next Caribbean restaurant, check out some of these phrases,they are island staples. You'll be a hit on your next vacation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. What'um! (Prounced Wha-ha-um). This is a basic Jamaican greeting like "Hi" or "What's up."

2. Yah' Mon! (Prounced Ya-Mon). This is a term used to agree, show agreement or emphasize a point. Can be used at any time during a sentence.

3. Soon Come? (Prounced soon-come). This is a term you can ask when you are waiting for something, such as dinner, a cab or a bus.

4. Lemme' ave' a lickle bit o' dat' (Prounounced as is). "Let me have a little bit of that", can be used to order food, look at jewelry or art, haggle over wares or a myriad of other things. Jamaicans are known for generous portions, so a "little" will seem quite large. The "have" can be substituted for "see" also.

5. Is de' toilet dis' way? (Pronounced as is). In Jamaica, the bathroom is the water closet or the toilet. You must know how to use this term if you ever want to find one.

6. Yes Sir, Yes Ma'am (Pronounced as is). Always use these terms as a sign of deference to helpers and service staff in Jamaica. This shows that you recognize their authority and it is a sign of respect. You'll get ahead much quicker.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a Patois dictionary.
• Always know the the customs of the country you are visiting; Jamaica is based on the British colonial system
• Have manners. Jamaicans thrive on respect, so taking the time to know these terms shows that.

Resources

• Jamaicans
• Speakng Jamaican

[SkinExpert]

on 1/12/2008 Loved this article! Very instructive and cute. If we all spoke Jamaican, there would be no more wars, eh?