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CVM to broadcast section of news in patois
KIMONE THOMPSON, Observer senior reporter thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, June 26, 2008
CVM Television will, as of next Monday, broadcast a section of its nightly newscast in patois - the Jamaican dialect.
The television station, however, is being cautious about its 'Patois news', especially since the raging debate that has been sparked by an Observer story about plans to translate the Bible into patois.
Speaking with the Observer yesterday, broadcast journalist Janella Precius, who is behind the concept, said it would not be a significant part of the newscast that is read in patois as there were still concerns about the likely response from the public. While some details, including a name for the segment, and whether or not to use only the headline format, were still being worked out, she said the patois segment would be featured sometime between 8:00 pm and 8:22.
"It's an experiment," Precius said, pointing to the challenges of appropriate translation, the adaptability of news anchors and the reluctance of the Jamaican public to embrace the use of patois in an otherwise formal domain.
"This week we're working on whether Jamaicans are ready to accept patois and whether the legislative framework to formalise it is in place," she added.
CVM's news manager, Irvin Forbes, said the station supported the initiative but that it was not expecting any 'miracles'.
"I expect [the reaction] will be mixed. As is always the case, some people will be reluctant to embrace patois, others will find it innovative but at least we will continue to generate some debate on the issue," Forbes said.
The Observer, in its lead story on Monday, June 16, reported that the Bible Society of the West Indies had plans to translate the King James version of the Bible into Jamaican patois. Forty per cent of the New Testament had already been translated, the report said, a section of which was under review by the Language Unit at the University of the West Indies. The project, which will cost $60 million, is steeped in controversy with several people adopting the stance that it is a retrograde step, both for formal education and the country as a whole.
KIMONE THOMPSON, Observer senior reporter thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, June 26, 2008
CVM Television will, as of next Monday, broadcast a section of its nightly newscast in patois - the Jamaican dialect.
The television station, however, is being cautious about its 'Patois news', especially since the raging debate that has been sparked by an Observer story about plans to translate the Bible into patois.
Speaking with the Observer yesterday, broadcast journalist Janella Precius, who is behind the concept, said it would not be a significant part of the newscast that is read in patois as there were still concerns about the likely response from the public. While some details, including a name for the segment, and whether or not to use only the headline format, were still being worked out, she said the patois segment would be featured sometime between 8:00 pm and 8:22.
"It's an experiment," Precius said, pointing to the challenges of appropriate translation, the adaptability of news anchors and the reluctance of the Jamaican public to embrace the use of patois in an otherwise formal domain.
"This week we're working on whether Jamaicans are ready to accept patois and whether the legislative framework to formalise it is in place," she added.
CVM's news manager, Irvin Forbes, said the station supported the initiative but that it was not expecting any 'miracles'.
"I expect [the reaction] will be mixed. As is always the case, some people will be reluctant to embrace patois, others will find it innovative but at least we will continue to generate some debate on the issue," Forbes said.
The Observer, in its lead story on Monday, June 16, reported that the Bible Society of the West Indies had plans to translate the King James version of the Bible into Jamaican patois. Forty per cent of the New Testament had already been translated, the report said, a section of which was under review by the Language Unit at the University of the West Indies. The project, which will cost $60 million, is steeped in controversy with several people adopting the stance that it is a retrograde step, both for formal education and the country as a whole.
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