As the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) steps up its efforts to lay the foundation to ensure that the country transitions to the Republic of Jamaica, the debate continues with regard to its composition and language.

Many Jamaicans have questioned the rationale for having so many lawyers on the team. Some have also taken issue with having the Church being represented as they believe not much value will be added. Still, others, especially the conservative Christians, have called for the removal of Canadian Professor Richard Albert because he has a distinct pro-LGBTQ and pro-abortion bias. What really qualifies a person or a group to be represented over another? The Church, just like any other group, has often been weighed on the scale and found wanting. Biblically speaking, though, if an increase in abortions and homosexuality — the latter of which was on open display at carnival over the weekend — is part of the eschatological signs, to what extent can it stop their promulgation and propagation?

As it is, everyone wants to have a say, which, of course, is each citizen’s right. But what is the sense of reforming the constitution if we are still going to hold on to the mentality of the 1960s?

Last Friday I attended the Beryl Bailey Symposium on the Jamaican Language hosted by the Jamaican Language Unit (JLU) of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. The event also marked the 20th anniversary of the JLU. Commendations are in order for Dr Joseph Farquharson, Professor Hubert Devonish, and all other colleagues at The UWI and the University of Technology, Jamaica, who have been doing significant work in the standardisation and promotion of the Jamaican Creole (JC) through different experiments, research, and bilingual pilot programmes. As a linguist, and someone from the humanities, I know our work is often scoffed at simply because we fall under the soft sciences, but we do play a pivotal role in the society.

As the CRC works on formulating the future Republic of Jamaica, it is an opportune time for the members to think about expanding beyond mere symbolism, as is the case with many of the republics in the region. The CRC should think about the role and place of JC in everyday usage, including formal settings, such as the classroom, Houses of Parliament, and the courthouses. The United Nations declared 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages, which led to the proclamation of Indigenous Languages Decade — 2022-2032. The aim is to draw global attention to the critical situation of many indigenous languages and mobilise stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalisation, and promotion.

As it stands, currently, JC is not an endangered species; however, it is a language that needs greater acceptance at a policy level in Jamaica. Studies have shown, for example, that students appreciate and learn better through bilingual education — English and JC in this context.

Additionally, many people who are more versed at JC than Standard Jamaican English prefer when they are spoken to in their mother tongue in a court setting or at a medical appointment because it assures a greater level of understanding. After all, these individuals do not like to be confused by big words and beautiful speaking. Since we will no longer be under the British monarchy, would we still have to pledge strict allegiance to The King’s English?

There is a belief that making JC the official language would prove detrimental to mastery of English — a language that the majority of us continue to struggle to speak and write. However, most studies on bilingualism tend to disagree with this position. The moment we begin to observe the two as distinct languages with different orthographic and syntactic rules, the work becomes easier. Our neighbour Haiti has both French and Haitian Creole as its official languages. Canada, too, has both English and French.

We have something that is precious to us, which is embraced and studied by many non-Jamaicans. Let us not miss this opportunity to make it right.

Undoubtedly, the Cassidy orthography is harder to read and write for most Jamaicans, but I suggest that the JLU and other linguists step up their campaign. It would be great if all the English language majors at the teachers’ college level did courses in this regard, while the other student teachers did an elective to get some sort of exposure and familiarisation. In our schools, we could label buildings in JC.

More churches should incorporate readings from the New Testament in JC, while we await the translation of the Old Testament, which is currently underway.

We have come a far way in journalism, and JC is used in the newspaper and on the television and radio. However, it would be interesting if newsrooms did a pilot on presenting the news in JC. Communication is more effective when the intended message is communicated in the native language of the recipient.

Let’s hear the conclusion of the matter. Use the Jamaican language in the Jamaican republic.

Oneil Madden is interim chair/head of Department of Humanities and lecturer in language(s) and linguistics at Northern Caribbean University. He is also a PhD candidate in applied linguistics at Clermont Auvergne University, France. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or maddenoniel@yahoo.com.