Use of Patois in Jamaica’s parliament reignites debate about colonial legacy of English

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During a legislative session in Jamaica last week, a lawmaker used Jamaican Patois — also known as Jamaican — and caused a stir. Only English is permitted to be spoken in parliament, despite Patois being the native language spoken by most in the country. The World’s Marco Werman heard from Joseph Farquharson, a senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. He joins us from the capital, Kingston.