The Editor Sir:

The arguments on the patwa (Patois) are healthy even those misguided ones that speak negatively.

However, I would entreat all contributors to the discussions anywhere to refer to it as 'Jamaican and not Patois'. I would guess that every Jamaican living in Jamaica speaks it or can speak it; therefore, it is a Jamaican language whether some like it or not.

In London now even the English are speaking it. Are we going to allow another nation to say they invented and developed the Jamaican language?

It is a fact that many inventions have been by Black people but credit is always given elsewhere and it could happen on our language issue also if negative views are allowed to succeed.

There is a heart-warming experience to be somewhere in a foreign country hearing this language; it acts as a means of an identifying element; you know you are not alone, there are other Jamaicans about. Makes one feel a lot more comfortable.

I am, etc.,

LES FRANCIS

ashfran2@yahoo.com

Mandeville

Via Go-Jamaica