Linguistic Landscape of Jamaica

Video Transcript

The main language in Jamaica is English. However, there's a dialect which is Patois. Some of the words are English words, but some of the letters are just chopped off. They will say 'wagwan?,' that's 'what's up?' in America. If you'd listen a little bit, instead of just listen[ing] to the fast talk, you may be able to pick up a few of the words. But it is English and most of those people will be able to explain to you what is being said in Patois.

In this video, an Army master sergeant and native Jamaican describes the linguistic landscape of Jamaica.