Always seem to get a chuckle why dudes involved with reggae music feel compelled to speak non-mothertongue patois (or as we called it in high school, "Jafaican"). Is it for coolness? girls dig it? Is there a Portuguese slang I should speak because of my interest in Brazilian music?
It's so easy to tell when it's contrived.
K.
Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
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soufriere1
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Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
This one will educate, inform and inspire - sounds fromt he Ethiopian empire.
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Alhazred
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Re: Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
Emulation. Just like peeps who listen to Cure will dress up like Robert Smith or young girls fan of Britney Spears will dress up like her...
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leggo rocker
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Ron
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Re: Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
It's even more hilarious when people start writing patois (on this board for example).
Though some of them will have a good reason to do so, I suppose.
Though some of them will have a good reason to do so, I suppose.
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Youthman Deh
Re: Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
Words do not come without connotations. Connotations, in turn, play a big part in determining the meaning of a certain word, which in turn affects the circumstances where the word can be used effectively (or on the contrary, less effectively).
Talking about Jamaican music with Jamaican terms - often invented solely for that purpose - seems to me perfectly logical, because naturally those words suit that purpose best, and carry the most fruitful connotations considering the topic of discussion. Which makes the discussion obviously more fluent and, yet again, more fruitful. And perhaps the patois words even carry a uniting feeling amongst fellow reggae listeners, it is like an own language, or professional slang, if you will.
In any case, I see many reasons for the use Jamaican patois, but not so many against it, nor any reasons whatsoever for ridiculing people who do use it. Some kind of elitism might be one explanation, but luckily I (& I) know not of such things.
Talking about Jamaican music with Jamaican terms - often invented solely for that purpose - seems to me perfectly logical, because naturally those words suit that purpose best, and carry the most fruitful connotations considering the topic of discussion. Which makes the discussion obviously more fluent and, yet again, more fruitful. And perhaps the patois words even carry a uniting feeling amongst fellow reggae listeners, it is like an own language, or professional slang, if you will.
In any case, I see many reasons for the use Jamaican patois, but not so many against it, nor any reasons whatsoever for ridiculing people who do use it. Some kind of elitism might be one explanation, but luckily I (& I) know not of such things.
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darewon
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Re: Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
How can you tell one was brought up in JA to begin with? We're online afterall? CyberJamaicans...haha.
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Fabroots
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soufriere1
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Re: Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
"Emulation. Just like peeps who listen to Cure will dress up like Robert Smith or young girls fan of Britney Spears will dress up like her..."
Surely the acts of someone much younger than the average poster on this board...though dressing mod seems to be an it thing to do, and this was my chosen emulation in high school (back 83-88).
My attitude stems from my interaction with many of my Jamaican friends who often saw such acts as a co-opting of their culture.
Hey, and I'm not trying to stir up shit - just think these are real questions about self that need to asked.
K.
Surely the acts of someone much younger than the average poster on this board...though dressing mod seems to be an it thing to do, and this was my chosen emulation in high school (back 83-88).
My attitude stems from my interaction with many of my Jamaican friends who often saw such acts as a co-opting of their culture.
Hey, and I'm not trying to stir up shit - just think these are real questions about self that need to asked.
K.
This one will educate, inform and inspire - sounds fromt he Ethiopian empire.
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soufriere1
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Re: Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
"DAT SOUNDCLASH DUB L.P IS CRUCIAL.. I CANN
DUB DAT WICKEDLY, DOES ANY ONE OUT DERR HAVE IT LIKE I?"
DUB DAT WICKEDLY, DOES ANY ONE OUT DERR HAVE IT LIKE I?"
This one will educate, inform and inspire - sounds fromt he Ethiopian empire.
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darewon
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Re: Why talk in patois when not brought up that way?
Soulriere1,
I guess it really relies on the location you were brought up. Being from the Bay Area, I definately have a way of speaking the rest of the US has a hard time comprehending.
As for the patois, I don't really speak it...but am knowing of its meaning.
Similar to the whole "ebonics" debate isn't it?
I guess it really relies on the location you were brought up. Being from the Bay Area, I definately have a way of speaking the rest of the US has a hard time comprehending.
As for the patois, I don't really speak it...but am knowing of its meaning.
Similar to the whole "ebonics" debate isn't it?