Well, given that Jamaica has two very distinct dialects -- bordering on two distinct laguages, even -- I could see an argument that attempting to "standardize" the local dialect into BBC English would lead to lots of cases of misrepresentation.
I'm going to guess that the Gleaner has a standards book (or at least a guide) devoted to properly representing the local dialect in print.
US papers used to do that, too, until it became perceived as racist and disrespectful. It was generally used when reporting on 'them', not 'us', so there was a point.
The language the lady speaks is probably Jamaican Creole, which is a well-established language of its own with a lot in common with English. Its speakers are increasingly developing standardization of spelling.
By the way, apparently most Jamaicans speak both languages. So again, it's not weird if a Jamaican paper does that. If they put it on the AP or Reuters news line I imagine they'd consider translating it all into English.
"Significant Jamaican-speaking communities exist among Jamaican expatriates in Miami, New York City, Toronto, Hartford, Washington D.C., Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama (in the Caribbean coast), and London.[3] Mesolectal forms are similar to Basilectal Belizean Creole, and a mutually intelligible variety is found in San Andres Islands, Colombia, brought to the island by descendants of Jamaican maroons in the 18th century."
I was grinning while I read that article and was glad a woman was defending a man. Woe is me. Now dat is good.
Back in the 1960s, I was a regular player at the Chicago Chess Club, which was located around the corner from Van Buren St and Michigan Ave, in an old building with an open steel cage elevator.
One of the better chess players was a Jamaican black guy. He not only could regularly beat me and most of the others, but he talked like most Chicagoans.
I don't think highly or lovingly of the various Caribbean cultures, but I also don't particularize my generalizations back to individuals. Aside from being discourteous, it would lead me into stupid misjudgements.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
7.2.2007 7:48pm
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
I'm going to guess that the Gleaner has a standards book (or at least a guide) devoted to properly representing the local dialect in print.
This article explains it, and explains the developing orthography.
The paper is actually a Jamaican paper so it's not really odd if they use it.
These sorts of English-based languages develop just like all languages do.
I was grinning while I read that article and was glad a woman was defending a man. Woe is me. Now dat is good.
One of the better chess players was a Jamaican black guy. He not only could regularly beat me and most of the others, but he talked like most Chicagoans.
I don't think highly or lovingly of the various Caribbean cultures, but I also don't particularize my generalizations back to individuals. Aside from being discourteous, it would lead me into stupid misjudgements.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.