“Out of many one people” this is Jamaican's motto which reflects its rich history as a former British slave colony. Especially the music bonds the people and it is really important for Jamaicans. The language they use is marked by their African roots but no real standard has been developed yet. Music is the best way to reach the people and it plays an important role for standardization. Jamaican musicians who are very popular can therefore have a certain influence of the Jamaican people in terms of language.
The aim of this term paper will be to investigate on the Jamaican Patois based on selected Dancehall music examples, which is the most popular music genre in Jamaica.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theoretical Part
- 2.1. History's Influence on Jamaican Patois and Identity
- 2.2. The Linguistic Features of Jamaican Patois
- 2.3. The Creole Continuum
- 2.4. Dancehall Music
- 3. PILOT STUDY: JAMAICAN PATOIS IN Dancehall MusiC
- 3.1. Methodology and Database
- 3.2. Analysis
- 3.2.1 Analysis of "Dash out" by T.I.F.A
- 3.2.2. Analysis of "Party Shot" by Popcaan
- 3.2.3 Comparison
- 4. Conclusion, Caveats and Outlook
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to analyze the Jamaican Patois within the context of Dancehall music, the most popular music genre in Jamaica. To understand the linguistic influences on Jamaican Patois, the study provides a historical overview and explores the linguistic features of the language. This includes a revision of DeCamp's model of a Creole Continuum. The research focuses on investigating the role of Dancehall music in the standardization of Jamaican Patois and how it influences the language used by Jamaican musicians.
- The historical influences on Jamaican Patois and its connection to Jamaican identity
- The linguistic features of Jamaican Patois
- The Creole Continuum model and its application to Dancehall music
- The role of Dancehall music in standardizing Jamaican Patois
- The influence of popular Jamaican musicians on the language
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage for the study, highlighting the importance of music and language in Jamaican culture and the role of popular musicians in shaping linguistic norms. The theoretical part delves into the historical roots of Jamaican Patois, examining the influence of colonialism and the African heritage. It also provides an overview of the linguistic features of Jamaican Patois and introduces the concept of the Creole Continuum, a model that explains the variation in language use within a community. Finally, it provides a brief definition of Dancehall music.
The pilot study focuses on analyzing two Dancehall music examples, "Dash out" by T.I.F.A. and "Party Shot" by Popcaan, using the Creole Continuum model. It discusses the methodology and database used for the analysis. The analysis of each song examines how Jamaican Patois is used within the musical context and compares the findings to the Creole Continuum model.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of this study include Jamaican Patois, Dancehall music, Creole Continuum, language standardization, linguistic features, historical influences, popular music, Jamaican culture, and identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the analysis of Jamaican Creole?
The paper investigates Jamaican Patois through the lens of Dancehall music, analyzing its linguistic features and the concept of the Creole Continuum.
How does Dancehall music affect the Jamaican language?
Music is a primary way to reach people in Jamaica and plays a crucial role in the potential standardization and influence of Jamaican Patois.
What is the "Creole Continuum"?
It is a linguistic model (based on DeCamp) that explains the variation in language use between the most basilectal Patois and the most acrolectal standard English.
Which artists are used for the pilot study?
The study analyzes specific songs by Dancehall artists T.I.F.A ("Dash out") and Popcaan ("Party Shot").
How did history influence Jamaican Patois?
The language is deeply marked by Jamaica's history as a British slave colony and its strong African roots, which define the national identity.
- Quote paper
- Anja Zeisberg (Author), 2012, Analyzing the Jamaican Creole Continuum, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/212616
