Jakey Patois

Jacob has kind of an interesting accent… and its origins are fairly murky.  I have a hard time replicating it in writing, but I always notice it when he’s talking.  It comes out not only in his pronunciation, but also in his use of the various parts of speech.

It’s especially prevalent when it comes to pronouns.  He says things like, “Nake’s looking for him toy,” or “Mama, Nake’s crying in him bed” or “Why her naked?” (if a lady runs by in a sports bra).

Then last night, James and I watched the Bob Marley documentary.  Must-have music, must-miss documentary.  But we did finally find a clue to the puzzling pronouns of Jakey Patois.

For example, here’s a Jamaican parable: Cow nevva know de use of him tail till him lose it.

It was truly an aha moment… must have picked it up during his Rastafarian phase.  Yeah mon.