A History of Rasta Dialect For Students of Jamaican Patois

At first glance, the student of Jamaican Patois would2) This resistance is available through word, sound and
assume that all Jamaicans speak Jamaican Patois, butpower.
a unique group have their own dialect. This unique3) The language of the Rasta is part of the way of
group is none other than the Rastas. The Rastaslife.
continue to have a lasting impact on Jamaican culture,Rastas speak a twist of standard English because in
reggae music and the world. The most famous Rastacolonial Jamaica, the original African languages were
of all time was the late Bob Marley, but there aredrastically altered over time by British rule and
many others that are carrying on the torch. It isenslavement. Even though in present day Jamaica, all
important to know that not all Jamaicans are RastasJamaicans speak Patois (Patwah), Rastas speak a
nor are all people with dreadlocks. Similarly, not allsub dialect of Patois. This is important to know for
Jamaicans use the vocabulary of the Rastas. In orderpeople who want to learn to speak Jamaican. In the
to understand or should I say "overstand" the languageRastafari language, words are power. The first thing
of the Rastas, it is important to learn the history ofone needs to know is the replacement of the word
Rastafari.Me with I. The personal pronoun "I" is the most
Rastafari is one of the most recognizable aspects ofimportant word in the Rasta dialect. To Rastas, there
Jamaican culture. Although, Rastas believe thatis is no "Me", there is no "You" and there is no "We" or
Rastafari originated in Africa, Jamaica had a major role"Us" - there is only "I and I". Everyone is an "I", so there
in the formation of Rastafari. The first Jamaican tois no need for second person dialog. Every person is a
have a major influence on Rastafari was Marcusfirst person.
Garvey. Marcus Mossiah Garvey was born in JamaicaThe use of the "I" as a sound is also present in Rasta
under colonial rule in 1887. After being exposed tospeech. The sound can be found in many words such
Blacks in Central and South America and meetingas:
Blacks from all over the world while living in London,I-tal (vital)
Garvey became committed to the improvement ofI-man (me or you)
Black people. In 1914, Garvey established the UniversalI-ternal (eternal)
Negro Improvement and Conservation AssociationI-preme (supreme)
(UNIA) and the African Communities League. Garvey,I-dren (brethren)
the original Pan-Africanist, was the one who exposedI-sire (desire)
the Black people in the New World to the importanceI-ceive (receive)
of Africa and pointed to a redeeming African King. HeI-hold
would not know that the symbolic king would be HaileAnother key concept to the Rastafari dialect is
Selassie, Jah Ras Tafari. Garvey became a prophet in"seeing". The eye is the organ of sight which is why
Rastafari for telling the would be Rastas to look eastRastas (and non-Rasta Jamaicans) use the words
for a king, but it was the Preacher Leonard P. Howell"Seen" and "Sight,", as in "Do you see" or "see it?" To
that started the Rastafari way of life.see something is to accept reality. Seeing is also
Leonard P. Howell, a preacher in Jamaica, became theimportant to the name Selassie; the word, sound and
first person who took the crowning of Haile Selassie Ipower of "See" comes at the the beginning and end
seriously and preached H.I.M.'s divinity throughoutof his name - See lass-see.
Jamaica. He was also seen as a rebel in Jamaica forThe way words are twisted is another aspect of the
publicly denouncing the British Government, recognizingRasta dialect that is important. For example,
and defending the divinity of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I,"Understand" is replaced by "Overstand" and
preaching the superiority of Black people and"Oppress" is replaced by "Downpress".
preparation to return to Africa. Howell was arrestedThe other aspect of Rasta speech is the double
and imprisoned for two years for disturbing the peace.meaning of words. Here are some of theRasta dialect
Once he was released, he started a Rasta communityvocabulary words with double meaning and their
in the hills of St. Catherine. It was the combination ofRasta meanings:morgue (refrigerator)runnings
the oppression and struggle of Black people that(happenings)penetrate (admire)red (angry)more time
cemented the Rastafari way of life. These events(see you later)
also helped in the development of the Rasta language.The list can go on and on, but the important thing to
Here are some key points related to the Rastarealize is that Rastas have their own dialect inside of
language:Jamaican Patois, So if you want to learn to speak
1) The Rasta language is the vibration of resistance toJamaican and about the culture, you have to know
the system of Babylon (the world of the oppressors).about the Rastas.