The working class Jamaican accent has elements of southern Irish, Welsh, and even Geordie (Newcastle and environs), but its foundation is West African. The accent of middle- or upper-class Jamaicans (which is different—not all Jamaicans speak alike) also has distinct elements of Ayrshire Scottish. read more
The Jamaican English accent, as in Jamaicans speaking standard English of a Jamaican variety, not to be confused with the Jumiekan language of which many expats speak in a broken manner adding to the confusion forming a creole type language which goes by many names. read more
Different from speaking in a Jamaican accent, Patois is creole language that is a direct consequence of slavery and colonialism. This is a huge reflection of power relations and history. Patois was the linguistic evolution that occurred as a result of Africans being moved from their homeland, denied use of their native tongue, and being forced into speaking and understanding English. read more