An attempt on Wednesday by Opposition Spokesperson on the Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Nekeisha Burchell, to deliver her maiden contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament using Jamaican patois was immediately shut down by House Speaker Juliet Holness.

Burchell began with: “Madam Speaker, mi git up dis afta noon fi mek mi fuss sectoral speech pon mi portfolia…” before being interrupted by Holness who cited the Standing Orders which dictate that standard English must be used in the House of Representatives.

“Hold on, hold on, hold on. Standing Orders. And I think you are fully aware,” said Holness.

“If I have to stop you again during your presentation you will not get any additional time,” the speaker warned.

The chamber briefly descended into crosstalk between Government and Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs). Government MPs backed the speaker’s enforcement of the Standing Orders, while Opposition MPs argued that Burchell should be allowed to use the Jamaican dialect since a majority of Jamaicans speak it.

They argued that her presentation was on culture and that she was not speaking in Spanish like Minister of State Alando Terrelonge about six months ago when he addressed Cubans present in the chamber but was shut down by his fellow Government MP Everald Warmington. Warmington cited the Standing Orders then and declared that it was his right to be heard in a language he understands.

When she resumed speaking, Burchell said, “Madam Speaker, perhaps I should abandon that attempt to use our local language because I have been reminded of the linguistic conventions of this honourable House.

“Because maybe there is no more fitting way to begin a presentation on culture than to speak briefly in the language understood by the overwhelming majority of the Jamaican people, even if that language still struggles for full acceptance in some of our most formal, national spaces including this very Parliament”.

“So let me give you the Queen’s English,” said Burchell before continuing her presentation in English.

-Lynford Simpson