The Word on the Street 

You can hear it on Jamaica’s lively streets. Full of character, expression and melody, it sounds like English. You’d probably recognise some of the words.

But Patois is a language of its own – yet without its own Bible.

For five million people it’s the language of family and home. Over half the Patois speakers live in Jamaica, the rest are scattered worldwide with many living in the UK.

It’s at school that the official language – English – kicks in.

Lessons and schoolbooks are only in English. But the language of the playground is Patois. Government debates happen in English, but when politicians are canvassing in the street, they speak Patois. On television, the evening news is in English, but Patois messages warned communities of last year’s hurricanes.

And, of course, the Bible is in English. Patois speakers remain one of the largest groups in the world without any Scripture in their own language. But the Bible Society of the West Indies is working to change this.

Stephen Gaukroger, Baptist minister and member of the Spring Harvest leadership team, visited the Patois Bible translation team in Kingston, Jamaica, early this year.

‘Before the trip, I had questions in my mind about Patois as a real language and where it stands as a Bible translation. But when I got there it was amazing to discover how important the language is, it is the heart language of many Jamaicans, it’s what they pray in.

‘The need to communicate God’s Word in this language became more poignant when it was clear it was a recording to be heard rather than read. It was exciting to know that illiterate people – most of whom are poor – could access the Bible in such a powerful way. ‘

A Jamaican Pentecost

He said he was touched by the testimony of one of the actresses involved in dramatising the audio recording – and recounts her story.

‘In the middle of Luke’s gospel, she was so moved that she started crying. For the first time she could relate to Jesus in a way she never had, because she was hearing his story in her own language.

‘That day, the recording sessions was like the apostles’ day of Pentecost, for them it was a Jamaican Pentecost,’ said Stephen.

The man in charge of the translation process, Bible Society’s Revd Courtney Stewart, is passionate about helping millions have a fresh experience of the Bible’s life-changing message.

‘Patois is who we are,’ he said. ‘It’s our language, it’s what defines us. It communicates intimately and powerfully with our people. You can’t separate a person from the language they speak. So to have the Bible in Patois is affirming to us as a people.’

Already, over 40 per cent of the New Testament is translated and in draft form.

Now teams are recording an audio Gospel of Luke. The Bible Society is working with the University of the West Indies to develop a writing system that will effectively put Patois down on paper for the first time.

It’s a mammoth task – not least because of residual prejudice that condemns Patois as ‘bad English’ and not a real language.

‘Need is immense’

But for Stephen Gaukroger, a visit to inner-city Kingston, often dubbed the world’s murder capital, convinced him of the urgent need to bring the Bible’s message to Jamaican people.

‘People share their life stories in Patois and they are comforted and encouraged in Patois. Having the Bible in Patois would make a big difference. It would help with discipleship, and for many encourage a deeper exploration of a newly found faith.

‘The need for the Bible in Patois is immense.

‘Seeing its impact reminded me of the many Bibles sitting on my shelf and how blessed I am to have it in English. Baptists in the UK can be prayerful for the work of the Bible translators, and can support them through Bible Society.’

In a country which has one of the world’s highest murder rates – with more than 1,500 killings last year – the impact of the Patois Bible could be powerful.

‘For God to break in and speak the language of the people, God will have to move in and live among them,’ said Courtney Stewart, who hosted Stephen during his week-long trip.

‘With the Bible in Patois, God is right there in their homes and yards. It says to them – “God gets out! He speaks my language! He communicates with me where I am. He lives where I am.” This is marvellous.’

More information about the Patois Bible translation is available at www.biblesociety.org.uk/jamaica