Dear Editor,

I live in western Canada, and visited Jamaica in the 80s and last Christmas. I feel that Jamaica is a facinating place, and I hope to return this winter. Since I discovered Newstalk 93FM on the internet, I have been enjoying the the voices of the people of Jamaica as well as the issues.

Ragashanti is a personal favourite of mine. While other talk-show hosts speak proper English, Raga speaks the language of the masses – that wonderful, expressive

speech called patois.

I would like to learn to understand patois, and hearing it on the radio is the only way for me to hear it spoken. Ragashanti is obviously loved by his callers who talk about everyday life under sometimes harsh conditions. Jamaicans are well-mannered, friendly people of faith and resilience. Ragashanti Live was a window into that world, even though I didn’t understand everything they said. There was humour and laughter.

Now I will miss all that mix-up. Raga, respect!

Peter Dykes

Alberta, Canada

dykes_peterw@hotmail.com