Although English is the official language of Jamaica, Patois or simply Jamaican, is widely spoken by the population in different social contexts. Due to its colonial history, Patois has been influenced by Spanish, English, Portuguese and French. At schools, all teaching is delivered in English, and all exams are done in English. Many on the small island of Jamaica would say they are filled with pride when speaking Patois. Through literature and the arts, Patois has gone beyond this country’s borders and made it into other cultures like England through music, poetry, and art.
In the last episode of this series of podcasts, Albert and Amelia talk to Althea about her experiences with patois and how she maintains her language and passes it on to her children.
