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Jamaican Creole English

Jamaican Creole English, also known as Jamaican Patois, is a dialect of English that developed in Jamaica during the 17th century. It is spoken by about 3 million people, making it one of the most widely spoken creole languages in the world. Jamaican Creole English is heavily influenced by African languages, as well as by Spanish, Portuguese, and other European languages. The grammar of Jamaican Creole English is similar to that of other creole languages. It is based on a simplified form of English, with many words and structures borrowed from African languages. Jamaican Creole English is not a written language, but is often used in popular music, such as reggae and dancehall. Jamaican Creole English is considered to be a very important part of Jamaican culture. It is used as a symbol of Jamaican identity, and is seen as a way of uniting people of different backgrounds. Jamaican Creole English is also an important part of the country's economy, as it is used in tourism and in the business sector.

Language group

Creoles and pidgins, English‑based

Language locales, regions and scripts

Jamaican Creole English
jam
Jamaican Creole English, Jamaica, Latin
jam-Latn-JM
Jamaican Creole English, Latin
jam-Latn
Jamaican Creole English, Jamaica
jam-JM