Language Spoken in JamaicaEnglish is the official language for Jamaica. The language spoken in rural parts of Jamaica is Jamaican Creole[ˈkrēˌōl]/Patois [ˈpaˌtwä] . English is understood all over the island (if not spoken), although Patois is not as easily understood by tourists/visitors. This language is perceived as a "failed attempt at English." All Creole has similar structure, vocabulary, and sound to the roots in the African language. Some Jamaicans say that English is their half language, though, over 97% of Jamaica's population still speaks the native Jamaican language. Children that were born in the rural parts of Jamaica learned Patois from their parents, but at age six, they go to school where they are to be taught English. |