Dear Editor,

Generally, when you peruse language related literature, linguists tend to define language as the use of words, signs and symbols to communicate in an agreed way. Within any society, any language acquired through listening and speaking is deemed as the first language or mother tongue, while any other learnt thereafter is referred to as a second language. In Jamaica, Jamaican Creole/Patois, generally, but not universally, represents the first language of the natives, while English is acquired as a second language. Incontrovertibly, most Jamaicans routinely and effortlessly use patois as their medium of language to communicate; not because of a refusal to use English, but because they aren’t English speakers. Some patois speakers, however, like me, have learnt how to speak English through formal education, but why do many chauvinistic English-speaking adherents find it comical for me to describe myself as bilingual?

The answer to this question is very complex. In our society, there are many who perennially perpetuate the idea that patois is broken English. This idea is absolute nonsense.

To begin with, every language has its own structural attributes relative to syntax (grammar), phonology (sound patterns), lexis (vocabulary), and semantics (meaning). As a result, I code-switch between patois and English speech, based on what I have to say, how I want to say it, and to whom I am speaking. With all this capability, how can I not be using two languages? Additionally, both patois and English are derivatives of what is referred to as a pidgin. A pidgin is defined as a trade or contact language and is used to describe a language when it is in its nascent form among users of a speech community that is brought together by force or volition. This idea of the pidgin underlines the fact that no language is totally independent of other languages.

Yes, it is true that English, as a language, pre-dates patois and that its vocabulary and semantics are closely associated with English, but the plethora of differences should not be ignored. Those who continue to deny patois as a language should take a moment for introspection and move more purposefully towards logic.

Could the solution for widespread poor academic performance in math and English be a sincere acceptance and recognition of patois, and that English should be viewed and taught as a second language? In earnest, join me in this discussion.

Nigel Nelson

communication_191@yahoo.com