The Jamaican Dialect Essay -- essays paper

The History and Sociolinguistic growth of the Jamaican DialectThe theme of dialects is one which linguistic anthropologists have worn-out(a) much time studying. Distinctions made between an actual language, a sub-standard innovation of that language and an actual dialect are often unclear and the topic of much debate. Recently in the United States there have been umpteen discussions about Ebonics, or Black English. It has been argued that Ebonics is simply a sub-standard form and abasement of English, while others feel that it should be recognized as an African influenced English dialect. One of the most recognizable forms of African-influenced English is that spoken by the mickle of Jamaica. Linguists and sociologists alike have studied the formation of this dialect over the years, because it is a prime example of language development resulting from cultural influences. By aspect at the development of Jamaican speech from a historical locating we are able to see exactly h ow the burnish of this island has influenced the evolution of this dialect.Jamaica is the trine largest Caribbean Island, measuring 146 miles at its widest point. The warm weather, high mountains and broad plains provide Jamaica with vicissitude in climate and agriculture. The population of Jamaica is estimated to be around two one million million million tribe, with nearly a half-million living in Kingston, the capital and largest city in Jamaica. Of those residing in Jamaica, 90% are of African descent, with the other ten percentage made up of mostly Caucasians, East Indians and Chinese (Barrett 19973). Popular culture is heavily influenced by the African heritage, while formal behavior is outstandingly British in style. The unofficial language of Jamaica is English however th... ...ge, which represents the people of today. This also is a dialect, which has not stagnated but continues to grow and will do so into the future. Perhaps someday it will become a language complet ely separate from English, a language of liberation free from the influences of colour oppressors.BibliographyBarrett, Leonard E. The Rastafarians. Beacon Press, Boston.DeCamp, David The Locus of Language in Jamaica. Georgetown University Press, Washington, D.C.Encyclopedia of Language and philology Volumes 1,3,6. Pergamon Press, NewYork.International Encyclopedia of Linguistics Volume 3. Oxford University Press, New York.Rasta/Patua Dictionary ed. Ogata, Michio updated by Pawka, Mike 1995.Todd, Loreto Pidgins and Creoles. Modern Englishes. Basil Blackwell Pub. Lmtd., Oxford.Zach, Paul ed.1995 Insight Guides. Jamaica. Hofer Press Pte. Ltd.,Singapore.