Around the world there are many cultures which speak different languages, but some of those languages have been influenced from other ones, such as the Jamaican Patois. Jamaican Patois has French, English and African influences.
For this exposition I have chosen the ¨Welcome to Jamrock¨ song by Damian Marley because the language used is similar to English, and I am interested in Jamaican patois because in this language some words have different meanings and pronunciation from English. For example, in the Jamaican Slang Glossary and Phrases, the word ¨Cat¨ means “female genitals”; BUT on the other hand, The Marriam-Webster Thesaurus Dictionary declares that ¨cat¨ is “a small domestic animal known for catching mice”.
Also, this song is really interesting because in it many words are pronounced in reduced form like ¨nothing at all¨ they pronounce it like /natinatol/. In addition, the writing is different, as well, because Jamaican people write some words as they pronounce them; for example in English you write ¨bother¨, but in Jamaican Slang that word is written ¨bodda.¨
Another aspect that caught my attention from this culture was that the Jamaican slang has many variations, and it also has important influences from Rastafarian Movement, farming and Dancehall music. Moreover, what that song talks about is really important because the poverty, hunger, political corruption, ignorance and discrimination are happening around the world right now, and I am aware of that.
To conclude I can say that I feel identified with that slang because Jamaican Reggae and dancehall music are some of my favorite kinds of music, and the way that Jamaican people speak, the significant meaning that music has, and important aspects that make me appreciate and be interested in this culture.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Traveling Around the World
Can people travel around the world just for searching information in the web? I think they can, because when I was investigating about different cultures in order to choose the most interesting one to present it to my classmates, I realized that I was learning, too. Because now I know about many cultures that I did not know them before. So, in order to get the most appropriate information I had to watch many pictures and interesting videos, and also read different articles about it. For that reason, my mind flew and I started to create a little journey around those cultures, and I started to imagine that I was traveling to the Comoros Islands and the Mozambique country to know those engaging cultures.
Comoros culture caught my attention because of its location, religion, language and etiquette. First of all, Comoros Islands are located in the Indian Ocean so, it is really far away from us. Second, the Comorian people’s religion; because most of them are Muslims is different than the one I know and it has an important influence of them. Third, it is also interesting to me that in those Islands there are four or more languages spoken such as French, Arabic, Comorian and Mwali. Another aspect that made me feel interested about Comorian was etiquette because greeting and respecting people is really significant for them. Also, because of their religion women have to cover their head with a veil; and wives must eat in the kitchen with their children while men eat at the dinner table. As a conclusion, I think that this culture has special customs and involves a lifestyle that is fascinated to me.
After some days, I was involved in another culture which is Mozambicans. That culture has special aspects that engaged me such as language, cultural heritage, and National women´s day. First, in that culture there are at least thirty languages spoken. But, the main language is Portuguese and English is becoming popular. Second, the African influence is showed by Mozambicans art which communicates spiritual messages. In addition, music and dancing are practiced by them. Third, that culture celebrates with a big festival the National Women´s Day in order to honor a significant woman ¨Josina Machel.¨ Because of her services as a volunteer in the fight for national independence. Indeed, Mozambique country is one of the interesting countries where I would like to travel because of its culture.
In summary, I could say that while I was searching about some countries I found not only different but also magic cultures where I imagined being. Comoros and Mozambique countries have the most absorbing cultures that made my mind fly. Even thought, I have not been there I feel as if I were there when I remember everything I saw during my research.
Comoros culture caught my attention because of its location, religion, language and etiquette. First of all, Comoros Islands are located in the Indian Ocean so, it is really far away from us. Second, the Comorian people’s religion; because most of them are Muslims is different than the one I know and it has an important influence of them. Third, it is also interesting to me that in those Islands there are four or more languages spoken such as French, Arabic, Comorian and Mwali. Another aspect that made me feel interested about Comorian was etiquette because greeting and respecting people is really significant for them. Also, because of their religion women have to cover their head with a veil; and wives must eat in the kitchen with their children while men eat at the dinner table. As a conclusion, I think that this culture has special customs and involves a lifestyle that is fascinated to me.
After some days, I was involved in another culture which is Mozambicans. That culture has special aspects that engaged me such as language, cultural heritage, and National women´s day. First, in that culture there are at least thirty languages spoken. But, the main language is Portuguese and English is becoming popular. Second, the African influence is showed by Mozambicans art which communicates spiritual messages. In addition, music and dancing are practiced by them. Third, that culture celebrates with a big festival the National Women´s Day in order to honor a significant woman ¨Josina Machel.¨ Because of her services as a volunteer in the fight for national independence. Indeed, Mozambique country is one of the interesting countries where I would like to travel because of its culture.
In summary, I could say that while I was searching about some countries I found not only different but also magic cultures where I imagined being. Comoros and Mozambique countries have the most absorbing cultures that made my mind fly. Even thought, I have not been there I feel as if I were there when I remember everything I saw during my research.
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