Language

The language of government and education is English, although the patois form of Jamaican Creole is widely spoken. Most Jamaicans can use both Patois and English depending on the circumstances and often combine the two. British English is the most obvious influence on Patois, but it includes words and syntax from Spanish, Arawak, French, Chinese, Portuguese and East Indian languages - evidence of the long standing mixing of the people.

In general, Patois differs from English in both pronunciation and syntax, having many intonations to indicate meaning and mood. The language's characteristics includes similarities with Irish forms of English in pronouncing 'TH' as if it was the letter D or T, omitting some initial consonant sounds, principally the 'H'. For example, the word "there" is pronounced as "dere". A number of linguists believe Patois is a separate language; others consider it a dialect of English.