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Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do in Jamaican Patois is to ask for directions then follow them according to what a local instructs you. This is especially true in the rural areas of the island. Unless your roots are from the island and you are able to follow directions without street names as reference points but rather using landmarks – you might just be better off using GPS as much as possible. They are usually very descriptive when giving directions and may even use their fingers to point the way to go.

Here is a blend of questions/phrases used when asking for direction as well as common examples of directions given by Jamaicans. I have also added a few disclaimers.

Wich paat me fine d bus tap? – Where can I find the bus stop?

 

Yuh kno wich paat me can fine maas Johnson shap? – Do you know where I can find Mr. Johson’s shop?

 

Turn lef afta yuh go ova di bridge den falla d road strate – Go over the bridge, then turn left and continue on the main road.

 

It deh pan ur rite han side – It (wherever you want to go) is on your right hand side

 

Roun di kaanah / roun di ben – Around the corner

When given this directional phrase, do not literally go around the corner expecting to see the place or thing you asked about. Often times the place or thing is a ways from the corner.

Dung di road / dung deh suh – Down by the road / down there

Usually this is accompanied by pointing finger indicating which road is being referred to. Again if you asked about a place or thing be prepared to go down the road sometimes before getting to where or what you are looking for.

Seet deh pon di hill – There it is on the hill

Usually this hill is not too close to where you are located.

It deh jus afta yuh pass d big church pon di corna – It is located just after you have gone past the big church on the corner

This is an example of how Jamaicans use landmarks in giving directions.

Photo – Deposit Photos

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This is a Podcast of the Jamaica & Caribbean Weekly News Summary for the week ending August 18, 2023. The JAMAICA WEEKLY News Summary Podcast is brought to you by Jamaicans.com. For past Jamaica & Caribbean Weekly News Podcasts please visit our archives

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If you plan to visit Jamaica soon, you might be wondering how best you can fit into a conversation without being singled out as a ‘foreigner”. You might want to be able to understand what is being said around you, or to even communicate comfortably with a local. Have you considered learning some Jamaican Patois expressions? It’s the secret sauce to fitting right in and having an unforgettable experience. With this list of popular Jamaican phrases you’ll be chatting away like a resident in no time, and your Jamaican friends will appreciate the effort you’re putting in to connect with them.

For your next visit, here are some useful phrases and sentences to help you have a memorable one!

Big man ting

This directly translates to a “grown-up matter”. You would use this expression in Jamaica, just before you spill the facts about a serious topic.  Americans would possibly say “on god” or “for real” or “no cap”. Also,  “on a levels” is another Patois expression that could be used in this context.

Yeh mon!

This popular Patois expression is translated as  “okay” or “no problem”.

Mai yute

Americans say “bro” and British people say “bruv”, while Jamaicans say “mai yute”.

This is the Patois spelling of “my youth”.  Similarly to “Bro”, this expression is most commonly used to refer to men but can be used to refer to women as well.

“Yute dem” is the plural form, which is synonymous to Americans saying “guys”.

Weh yuh a seh?

This translates to “what are you saying?” and has two meanings.   It doubles as a greeting; similar to “wah gwaan”  or “what is happening”, and an exclamation of surprise similar to  “are you joking/kidding?”

Fahwud

If your Jamaican friend says “fahwud”. It’s a command to get going,  translates to “forward” or “come here”. In Jamaican Patois, the past tense of “fahwud” is “did fahwud” which means “came here”.

Duh Road (Let’s explore!)

If someone should let you know that they are about to ‘ duh road’ translated to English as ‘do road, ’ in most cases they are about to leave their present location to do something fun. In some cases, they are indicating that they are about to do something productive.

Me soon come (I’ll be there soon)

There is a very subtly warning associated with being told this expression. Jamaican time appears to be much slower than other countries and soon is very relative and may be anytime between immediately to a few days well.

Nah aks chrise (I’m sure)

When you’re absolutely certain about something, say “nah aks chrise.” It’s basically saying, “I’m so confident, even Jesus wouldn’t doubt me!”

There you have it! You’re now armed with the best of Jamaican lingo. Feel free to color your speech with these popular Patois expressions and may your trip to Jamaica be unforgettable.

Photo – Deposit Photos

The post Blend into the Jamaican Crowd with These Useful Patois Expressions appeared first on Jamaicans.com.

The exceptional performance of the Reggae Girlz, Jamaica’s national women’s football team, at the 2023 Women’s World Cup – and even the team’s existence – was made possible to a very large degree by the tireless efforts of Cedella Marley, the daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley, a lifelong football fan who famously said, “Football is life.”

Coach and Team Grateful for Her Strong Support

Reggae Girlz midfielder and defender Deneisha Blackwood described Cedella Marley as “the heart of the team” and “just like our fairy godmother, ” while the team’s coach Lorne Donaldson emphasized that she was the “backbone” of the team and the driving force behind its resurrection and revitalization.

Support Provided at a Critical Time

In 2008, the Reggae Girlz national team was disbanded and all support from the Jamaica Football Federation was withdrawn after it failed to qualify for the 2007 Women’s World Cup and was stopped at the group stage during the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers. This turn of events alarmed Cedella Marley, and when her son, Skip Marley, brought her a brochure by which the Reggae Girlz sought to obtain the funds necessary to cover their expenses, she stepped in as both a strong supporter of women’s rights and a passionate football fan to rescue the team. She used her influence at the Bob Marley Foundation and the entertainment industry to raise the necessary funds. She went on to establish the “Football Is Freedom” program that helps to raise money to pay for the team’s trips, uniforms, and training camps. Marley also wrote the song “Strike Hard” as a tribute to the team, which also encouraged fundraising efforts. Through her support, Marley raised some 50,000 euros, and by 2014, the Reggae Girlz had been resurrected as Jamaica’s national women’s football team.

Support Pays Off

While the Reggae Girlz did not qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Cedella Marley and the team members continued to stand together to ensure her past efforts continued to gain momentum, and in 2019, the Reggae Girlz became the first team from a Caribbean country to do so. The team was eliminated in the group stage, but its historic qualification served to raise its profile on the world stage and promote greater attention in Jamaica.

 Astounds the World in 2023

Four years later, in 2023, the Reggae Girlz stunned the world with their performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Girlz successfully held off top-ranked teams like France and Brazil in 0-0 draws and won their first-ever World Cup match with a score of 1-0 versus Panama. This made the Jamaican team the first from the English-speaking Caribbean to join the final 16 teams at the Women’s World Cup competition. The team attributes its continued success to the efforts, support, and passion of Cedella Marley, who continues to serve as their “fairy godmother.”

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