[SPECIAL EDITION] JAMAICANS ~ BLACK IRISHMAN!! HUH?

Mar 17, 2012 TONI S GLOBAL VILLAGE 0

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In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, you gon’ learn something today! Why in the world does an Irish accent exist in the Caribbean?

According to sources, the presence of Irish and Scottish in Jamaica extend back about 350 years. As a matter of fact Bob Marley’s father was a Scott.

Captain Norval Sinclair Morley (note MORLEY…not Marley), Robert “Bob” Marley’s father

Marley’s beautiful mother, Cedella Booker

THE LION-Robert Nesta Marley

One of Bob’s several sons, Ziggy and his daughter

Culturally, the Europeans (Spanish, Germans, Scottish, Irish and English) and the African dominate in the Jamaican people. The African is the most dominant. The Chinese, Indians, Lebanese, Syrians, Jewish and Scottish are also present. However, ask a person living in Jamaica, and he/she will simply say “I am a Jamaican!”

The official language in Jamaica is English. English has been the national language for more than 300 years. However, most likely you will hear what sounds like a foreign tongue. This unique language is called “Patois”. Patois is a combination of mainly English and African; it is a Creole-language. However, you may also find hints of Spanish, Portuguese AND IRISH. The language somehow sounds more rhythmic than traditional English. However, don’t be too shocked if you hear a new word every now and then – Jamaicans are known to make up their own words to suit the topic they are speaking about! If one listens closely to a gully Irishman and a Jamaican with Irish/Scottish descendants, one will be hard pressed to tell the difference.

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• featured, Irish, Jamaica, St. Patrick Day