PM Golding Says the Debate on Teaching Patois Signifies ....

[Bricktop]

Send on.

[Muadib]

Hmmm.. now yuh getting emotional...

I believe the pervasive nature of Patios is more an economic side effect than anything else.

If the per capita income of Jamaica was $20,000 USD per year, I don't think we would be having this discussion today..

[Gamma]

sure economics is a factor but certainly is not the only factor. the point is it should not be on emotion alone, however the FACT is that this issue also has emotional undertones.

[Bricktop]

Hmmm.. now yuh getting emotional...

I believe the pervasive nature of Patios is more an economic side effect than anything else.

If the per capita income of Jamaica was $20,000 USD per year, I don't think we would be having this discussion today..

You have put the cart before the horse. The economy is a side effect of our inability to master anything as a whole, be it patois or self restraint.

[Willi]

Romansch is dying out NOT swiss german!

Swiss German is NOT taught in schools, as there is no written standard.
They teach Haut deutsch!

[Bricktop]

It's a detriment because nobody else speaks it. As a casual language there is absolutely nothing wrong with it but why add something that make people less marketable at the expense of something that will make you more marketable?

[Willi]

Yeah, Jamaica is already too insular.

[Gamma]

you mean "hoch deutsch" or high german. thanks for the clarification.

hmmmm we will even get one up on the swiss.....

[Willi]

I guess that is why the swiss are rich and successful and we are...

[Gamma]

at what expense is it being added? dem ago stop teach english? i certainly would not agree to that. you wnat to make it an either or issue and i do not see it that way.

[Gamma]

insular ....domestically or internationally?

[Willi]

Mostly domestically.

[Gamma]

well teaching patois in school, how will that breed further insularity? it seems to lean towards inclusiveness if you ask me.

[Bricktop]

I just don't see the benefit in formalising patois as a language. To me it is a casual language, one to be used in informal settings a verbal form of communication. Formalise is and di pickney dem gonna be confused all over again as tense, grammar, context and all dem tings going to drop in.

[Willi]

Where else do they speak patwa but in Jamaica? Inward looking...plus its a major distraction to take on such a project at this time. Major.

By the way, have you looked at the details? The devil is in the detail.

How do you teach in a language that has no standard??

If you tell me orally, well that is done already! All teachers in Jamaica move fluidly between English and patwa either for emphasis orfor dramatic effect.

We cant manage the infrastructure we have now and with all we have to deal with you woul have us tear it up and start fresh???

Recipe for disaster!