Jamaican Patois. House Speaker called out MP for using Patois. When Nekeisha Burchell began her first speech to the Jamaican Parliament in patois on Wednesday, House Speaker Juliet Holness interrupted her. Burchell serves as the Opposition Spokesperson on the Creative Industries, Culture, and Information. Her speech was part of the Sectoral Debate in Parliament.
What is Jamaican Potois?
“Jamaican Patois, also known as Jamaican Creole or Patwa, is an English based creole language with significant influences from West African languages, as well as Spanish, Portuguese, and Arawakan languages. It originated during the 17th century as a means of communication among Africans who were enslaved and brought to Jamaica. These individuals came from diverse linguistic backgrounds and needed to communicate with each other and their English-speaking enslavers, leading to the creation of a new, hybrid language. Jamaican Patois speech and language development is an important aspect of Jamaican identity and resilience.”
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Burchell started with, “Madam Speaker, mi git up dis afta noon fi mek mi fuss sectoral speech pon mi portfolia…” but she was interrupted by Holness, who referenced the Standing Orders that require the use of standard English in the House of Representatives.
“Hold on, hold on, hold on. Standing Orders. And I think you are fully aware,” said Holness.
Juliet Holness, Speaker of the Jamaican House of Representatives
“If I have to stop you again during your presentation, you will not get any additional time,” the Speaker warned.
The chamber briefly erupted into a heated exchange between Government and Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs). Government MPs supported the Speaker’s enforcement of the Standing Orders, while Opposition MPs contended that Burchell should be allowed to use the Jamaican dialect, as it is spoken by the majority of Jamaicans.
They argued that her presentation focused on culture and pointed out that she was not speaking in Spanish, as Minister of State Alando Terrelonge had done about six months ago when addressing the Cuban attendees in the chamber. However, she was interrupted by fellow Government MP Everald Warmington.
Warmington referenced the Standing Orders and asserted that it was his right to be heard in a language he understands.
When Burchell resumed speaking, she said, “Madam Speaker, perhaps I should reconsider my attempt to use our local language, as I have been reminded of the linguistic conventions of this honorable House.
“After all, there may be no better way to begin a presentation on culture than to speak briefly in the language understood by the vast 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.
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