Throughout the last centuries the English language spread all over the world first and foremost due to the colonial politic of its motherland: Great Britain.
Especially in the Caribbean the British empire had a lot of colonies in the past - one, in fact the biggest one, of these was Jamaica. Being one of the world’s many English-speaking countries it is worth studying especially from a linguistic point of view because it is one of the few Caribbean countries in which a standard English and an English-based creole have been employed almost since its colonization. To get a precise picture of what English is like in Jamaica one has to consider the history of the Jamaican languages as well as the present situation. As a standard variety and a creole coexist in Jamaica, one has to look at both of them in isolation and at how they influence each other. Therefore it will not only be of interest to examine the function and some of the linguistic features of Jamaican English and the Jamaican creole but also the post-creole continuum. First of all, a look at the history will make clear how the English language developed in Jamaica. The following chapters will deal with Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole in particular and, finally, the examination of the post-creole continuum will make the consequences of the mutual influence of these two languages clear.
David L. Lawton’s text “English in the Caribbean” and the book Linguistic Variation in Jamaica: A Corpus-Based Study of Radio and Newspaper Usage by Andrea Sand will form a useful basis for the study of the English language in Jamaica and will be completed by other subject-relevant literature.
The aim of this term paper is to provide an insight into the linguistic diversity in Jamaica and thus to illustrate how a standard variety like Standard Jamaican English and a creole like Jamaican Creole coexist. This text does, however, not aim at completeness with regard to the linguistic features of these languages, which is not least due to the fact that the linguistic situation is not completely explored yet, but it shall serve as some kind of introductory description of the English language in Jamaica and thus contribute to a basic understanding of the subject. [...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- A brief linguistic history of Jamaica
- Standard Jamaican English (JamE)
- The Role of Standard Jamaican English
- Linguistic Features of Standard Jamaican English
- Jamaican Creole (JC)
- The role of Jamaican Creole
- Linguistic Features of Jamaican Creole
- The Post-Creole Continuum
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to provide insight into the linguistic diversity of Jamaica, illustrating the coexistence of Standard Jamaican English (JamE) and Jamaican Creole (JC). It focuses on the historical development and present-day functions of both languages, examining their linguistic features and their mutual influence. While not exhaustive in its linguistic analysis, it offers an introductory description to foster a basic understanding of the subject.
- The historical development of English in Jamaica, including the influence of indigenous languages, Spanish, and West African languages.
- The role and function of Standard Jamaican English in Jamaican society.
- The role and function of Jamaican Creole in Jamaican society.
- The linguistic features of Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole.
- The concept of the post-creole continuum and its relevance to the Jamaican linguistic landscape.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by establishing the context of English in Jamaica. It highlights the unique linguistic situation of the island, where a standard variety of English and an English-based creole coexist. The chapter introduces the main objectives of the study—to explore the history, function, and features of both Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole, along with the post-creole continuum—and lays out the structure of the paper.
A brief linguistic history of Jamaica: This chapter traces the linguistic evolution of Jamaica, starting with the indigenous Taino language and the subsequent introduction of Spanish during the colonial period. It details the arrival of English with the British conquest and the subsequent development of English-based pidgins and ultimately, Jamaican Creole, resulting from the interaction of English and West African languages among enslaved populations. The chapter highlights the significant impact of the slave trade and its lasting effects on the linguistic landscape of Jamaica, emphasizing the gradual creolization of the island and the eventual emergence of Standard Jamaican English as a distinct variety influenced by both British English and Jamaican Creole.
Standard Jamaican English (JamE): This chapter focuses on the role and linguistic features of Standard Jamaican English (JamE) in Jamaica. It establishes JamE as the official language used in various public spheres, including government, law, media, education, and written communication. The chapter explores JamE's origin from British English while acknowledging the significant influence from Jamaican Creole and American English, resulting in a unique standard variety distinct from the British model. It also discusses the higher social prestige associated with JamE compared to Jamaican Creole, likely due to its official status and historical context.
Keywords
Standard Jamaican English, Jamaican Creole, Post-Creole Continuum, Linguistic History of Jamaica, Pidgin, Creole, Lexifier, Language Contact, Language Variation, Sociolinguistics.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Jamaican English
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the linguistic landscape of Jamaica, focusing on the coexistence and interaction of Standard Jamaican English (JamE) and Jamaican Creole (JC). It explores their historical development, present-day functions, linguistic features, and mutual influence, offering an introductory yet structured analysis of this complex linguistic situation.
What topics are covered in this language preview?
The preview covers the following key areas: a brief linguistic history of Jamaica, detailing the evolution of English on the island; a detailed examination of Standard Jamaican English (JamE), including its role in society and its linguistic features; an equally detailed look at Jamaican Creole (JC), its role, and its linguistic features; and finally, an explanation of the Post-Creole Continuum and its significance in the Jamaican linguistic context. The document also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the historical development of English in Jamaica, as outlined in this document?
The document traces the linguistic history from the indigenous Taino language, through the Spanish colonial period, to the arrival of English with British conquest. It highlights the development of English-based pidgins and Jamaican Creole, arising from the interaction of English and West African languages among enslaved populations. The lasting impact of the slave trade and the gradual creolization of the island, leading to the eventual emergence of Standard Jamaican English as a distinct variety influenced by British English and Jamaican Creole, are key aspects.
What is the role and function of Standard Jamaican English (JamE) in Jamaica?
JamE is presented as the official language used in various public domains, including government, law, media, education, and written communication. The document notes that while originating from British English, JamE has been significantly influenced by Jamaican Creole and American English, resulting in a unique standard variety distinct from the British model. Its higher social prestige compared to Jamaican Creole is also discussed.
What is the role and function of Jamaican Creole (JC) in Jamaica?
The document explores the role and linguistic features of Jamaican Creole (JC) in Jamaican society. While the specific functions are not extensively detailed in the provided summary, it is clear that the preview contrasts and compares JC to JamE in relation to their roles and functions within Jamaican society.
What are the key linguistic features of JamE and JC?
While the preview doesn't provide an exhaustive list of linguistic features for either JamE or JC, it emphasizes that a detailed analysis of their linguistic features is a central theme within the full text. The document promises to explore these features as part of its overall exploration of the Jamaican linguistic landscape.
What is the Post-Creole Continuum, and how does it relate to Jamaica?
The document introduces the concept of the Post-Creole Continuum and its relevance to understanding the Jamaican linguistic landscape. It explains that this continuum reflects the range of varieties extending from a creole to a more standard form of the lexifier language (in this case, English).
What are the keywords associated with this language preview?
The keywords listed are: Standard Jamaican English, Jamaican Creole, Post-Creole Continuum, Linguistic History of Jamaica, Pidgin, Creole, Lexifier, Language Contact, Language Variation, Sociolinguistics.
- Quote paper
- Antje Bernstein (Author), 2006, English in Jamaica: The Coexistence of Standard Jamaican English and the English-based Jamaican Creole, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/71333
