Patwa
See also: patwa
Jamaican Creole
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editFrom English patois, borrowed from French patois (“regional dialect or language”).
Pronunciation
editProper noun
editPatwa
- The basilectal form of Jamaican Creole; Patwa.
- Yuh (can) chat Patwa? ― Do you speak Jamaican Creole?
- 2018, Shelley Sykes-Coley, Chat ’Bout!: An Anthology of Jamaican Conversations, →ISBN:
- “Depen'in 'pon how wi waan fi deal wid a matta
wi can switch fram English to Patwa
or reach fi Rasta fi a positive vibe;
or proverbs, fi some wisdom prescribe.
Wi mek up new wud right 'pon di spot
to add to wi cultural meltin' pot
of language dat mek Patwa so sweet,
even di soun' when we kiss we teet' […] ”- Depending on how we want to handle a situation. We can switch from English to Patwa or even to Rasta talk for a positive vibe; or sayings, if we want to impart wisdom. We make up new words right on the spot to add to our cultural melting pot of language which makes Patwa so sweet; even the sound we make when we suck our teeth […]
Related terms
editFurther reading
edit- Richard Allsopp, editor (1996), Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage, Kingston, Jamaica: University of the West Indies Press, published 2003, →ISBN, page 433