Jamaican Patois

Summary

Jamaican Patois is an English-based creole language mixed heavily with West African languages, Arawak, Spanish, French and other languages, spoken primarily in Jamaica and among the Jamaican diaspora. Words or slang from Jamaican Patois can be heard in other Caribbean countries, the United Kingdom, New York City and Miami in the United States, and Toronto, Canada. It is spoken by most Jamaicans as their first language.