My mom was born and raised in Jamaica, and much of her side of the family speaks with a Jamaican accent. It’s pretty interesting, but hell if I can understand a lot of it! Anyways, an email made its rounds on the family mailing list. Use it to test your comprehension of Jamaican patois! 🙂

PRICELESS JAMAICAN TRANSLATIONS

ENG: It’s been a long time since I have seen you girl.
JAM: Gal yuh noh dead yet?

ENG: Oh Lord, we have lost electricity again.
JAM: Lawd Gad current lack aff again to rahtid.

ENG: This meal is not too bad.
JAM: Di food can eat.

ENG: Where did you buy that awful Bracelet Cindy?
JAM: A weh yuh buy dat deh big ole hugly bangle deh misis?

ENG: Hors d’heurves
JAM: Ah wah dis likkle sinting you a gi me?

ENG: Here kitty kitty… get down from the roof.
JAM: Hey dutty puss come aff a di house tap before a buss yuh**?@!

ENG: I think something is wrong with Susan, she might have the flu.
JAM: Lawd gad obeah tek up Suzie!

ENG: Oh my God, I just broke mom’s expensive plate!
JAM: Lawd mi gad, mi bruk up mama stoosh crackry!

ENG: aren’t those pants a bit short?
JAM: you did a expect flood or yuh tek yuh measurment inna wata?