From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Patois or Jamaican Creole?
published: Sunday June 29, 2008
Desrine Cayol, Contributor
AS A specialist in translation theory with an avid interest in Caribbean culture and Creole languages, I would like to add my grain of salt to the debate regarding the 'Patois Bible project'.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The term 'Patois', of French origin, meaning 'rough speech', generally has negative connotations. So the very title of the article - 'Patois Bible' - would have undoubtedly stirred emotions.
Although most Jamaicans use the term 'Patois' to describe their language, linguists refer to our dialect as Jamaican Creole (JC).
Like many Jamaicans, I 'instinctively' argued against the need to teach Creole in Jamaican schools. I believed that it was unnecessary, as it would not be useful outside the country.
I argued that the main aim should be to attain mastery of English, the international language of commerce and trade."
"It is entirely the choice of the Bible Society of the West Indies to allocate its funds for a cause it deems worthy (and I dare say 'divinely ordained').
No, it is not a backward step.
All moves to standardise the language will help the nation."
&
"We are finally accepting that despite Jamaica's being labelled English-speaking, it is truly Creole-speaking.
This acceptance will give the needed thrust forward to help our fellowmen master the English language."
_____
Desrine Cayol is a faculty member in the department of English and modern languages at Northern Caribbean University
Showing posts with label The Bible Society of the West Indies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Bible Society of the West Indies. Show all posts
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
JO - Say no to patois
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Say no to patois
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Dear Editor,
The recent initiative by the Bible Society of the West Indies to translate the KJV Bible into patois has ignited much discussion about the pros and cons with regard to how much patois should be allowed in the mainstream.
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"Having the Bible and other publications written in both patois and standard English can serve to further inform and educate those sections of the population that are not verse in spoken or written standard English."
"If we are a self-reliant country that does not trade with the Europeans or the United States, then by all means teach and speak patois.
If when we travel overseas and can't understand written and verbal commands directed at us in standard English, then by all means continue to learn and speak patois.
When you apply for a job in a competitive market like tourism, banking or the private sector in which you have to interact with well-educated and persnickety consumers who always have alternative choices, if you think these companies will hire you to dissuade their customers from patronising their business, then continue to learn and speak patois."
&
"If one should be engaged in colloquies with foreign dignitaries in business or government, I doubt patois would be appropriate or even understood."
_____
Stewart Young stewartyoung11@hotmail.com
Jamaica Observer
Say no to patois
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Dear Editor,
The recent initiative by the Bible Society of the West Indies to translate the KJV Bible into patois has ignited much discussion about the pros and cons with regard to how much patois should be allowed in the mainstream.
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"Having the Bible and other publications written in both patois and standard English can serve to further inform and educate those sections of the population that are not verse in spoken or written standard English."
"If we are a self-reliant country that does not trade with the Europeans or the United States, then by all means teach and speak patois.
If when we travel overseas and can't understand written and verbal commands directed at us in standard English, then by all means continue to learn and speak patois.
When you apply for a job in a competitive market like tourism, banking or the private sector in which you have to interact with well-educated and persnickety consumers who always have alternative choices, if you think these companies will hire you to dissuade their customers from patronising their business, then continue to learn and speak patois."
&
"If one should be engaged in colloquies with foreign dignitaries in business or government, I doubt patois would be appropriate or even understood."
_____
Stewart Young stewartyoung11@hotmail.com
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
JO - Controversy heightens over planned patois Bible
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Controversy heightens over planned patois Bible
BY RHOMA TOMLINSON Sunday Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, June 22, 2008
PREDICTABLY an Observer lead story last Monday titled "Patois Bible" has set off a raging controversy, never far below the surface, over the usefulness of recognising the Jamaican dialect or patois as a formal language.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The plan by the Bible Society of the West Indies to publish a patois version of the Bible, that will cost $60 million and take 12 years to complete, sparked a flood of letters to the editor from Jamaicans at home and abroad and occupied large chunks of talk show air time last week.
While some persons see the move as brilliant, and a big step in championing the cause of the Jamaican language, critics have denounced it as a waste of time, effort and money.
In any event, they argue, a patois version of the Bible would not be taken seriously and would somehow undermine the sacredness of the holy Scriptures."
&
"(I)f some Jamaicans are uncertain about the legitimacy of Jamaican patois and whether it should be used to translate the Bible, academics in the United Kingdom are embracing it as a full-fledged language.
Last year, the University of Birmingham introduced a Jamaican patois course, the first of its kind in the world."
Jamaica Observer
Controversy heightens over planned patois Bible
BY RHOMA TOMLINSON Sunday Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, June 22, 2008
PREDICTABLY an Observer lead story last Monday titled "Patois Bible" has set off a raging controversy, never far below the surface, over the usefulness of recognising the Jamaican dialect or patois as a formal language.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The plan by the Bible Society of the West Indies to publish a patois version of the Bible, that will cost $60 million and take 12 years to complete, sparked a flood of letters to the editor from Jamaicans at home and abroad and occupied large chunks of talk show air time last week.
While some persons see the move as brilliant, and a big step in championing the cause of the Jamaican language, critics have denounced it as a waste of time, effort and money.
In any event, they argue, a patois version of the Bible would not be taken seriously and would somehow undermine the sacredness of the holy Scriptures."
&
"(I)f some Jamaicans are uncertain about the legitimacy of Jamaican patois and whether it should be used to translate the Bible, academics in the United Kingdom are embracing it as a full-fledged language.
Last year, the University of Birmingham introduced a Jamaican patois course, the first of its kind in the world."
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
JG - Why they want a Patois Bible
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Why they want a Patois Bible
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Yorke (left) and Popjes
Mark Dawes, Religion Editor
The people at the Bible Society of the West Indies and Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean have been beside themselves with glee. Why? They have never had it so good. Their Patois Bible project is getting a lot of publicity in the news media. That's publicity these faith-based organisations could never pay for. The Patois Bible project began in the early 1990s. It was spearheaded by the Bible Society of the West Indies. Partners in the project included Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean and the University of the West Indies.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The main concern of opponents of the project is that there has been a severe deterioration in the average Jamaican's ability to speak proper English, and the promotion of Patois will not help that process.
Some of those opposed to the Patois Bible project feel that there are enough understandable English translations of the Bible - accordingly, there is no need for another version - especially the scriptures in Patois."
Jamaica Gleaner
Why they want a Patois Bible
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Yorke (left) and Popjes
Mark Dawes, Religion Editor
The people at the Bible Society of the West Indies and Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean have been beside themselves with glee. Why? They have never had it so good. Their Patois Bible project is getting a lot of publicity in the news media. That's publicity these faith-based organisations could never pay for. The Patois Bible project began in the early 1990s. It was spearheaded by the Bible Society of the West Indies. Partners in the project included Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean and the University of the West Indies.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The main concern of opponents of the project is that there has been a severe deterioration in the average Jamaican's ability to speak proper English, and the promotion of Patois will not help that process.
Some of those opposed to the Patois Bible project feel that there are enough understandable English translations of the Bible - accordingly, there is no need for another version - especially the scriptures in Patois."
Friday, February 20, 2009
JO - Patois Bible a good idea
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Patois Bible a good idea
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Dear Editor,
I read in the Observer of June 17 that The Bible Society of The West Indies is interested in translating the Bible into patois. This, to me, is a splendid idea.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"I support the idea of translating the Bible into patois 100 per cent, regardless of how long it will take and how costly it will be.
Nothing is too expensive when it comes to God's work."
Jamaica Observer
Patois Bible a good idea
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Dear Editor,
I read in the Observer of June 17 that The Bible Society of The West Indies is interested in translating the Bible into patois. This, to me, is a splendid idea.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"I support the idea of translating the Bible into patois 100 per cent, regardless of how long it will take and how costly it will be.
Nothing is too expensive when it comes to God's work."
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