November 28, 2012
VIDEO: ‘Dis ah bus up mi brains’
Public gives views on Patois Bible
FOLLOWING Monday’s visit to the Jamaica Observer by the Bible Society of the West Indies to promote its translation of the New Testament into patois — Di Jameikan Nyuu Testiment — we asked people in Papine, St Andrew, to read short excerpts from the text to see how well they would do.
With the exception of one person, who said she was a trained early childhood teacher, the others stumbled over most words. Some said they understood some of the words, while others, could not understand anything.
The verses they read were Matyu (Matthew) 6:9, Maak (Mark) 11:20 and Jan (John) 3:16.
The comments below reflect their views on their ability to read patois, and wider views on the importance or lack thereof, of the Patois Bible.
