THE EDITOR, Sir:
ILLITERACY IS the state or quality of being ignorant. It describes one's lack in education or knowledge of culture, and especially an inability to read or write in the language(s) of one's culture. In his letter, 'Patois versus the English Language', published in The Gleaner on February 8, 2000, John Russell and those of like-mindedness, placed an invitation for 'so-called intellectuals' to share information and wisdom with them.
For the purposes of this letter, I have chosen to restrict the term 'ancestors' to describe the African slaves and their descendants who populated our plantations of pre-emancipation. His first unpalatable statement described the 'dark backward era' in which our ancestors lived. It would seem that the darkness and backwardness of our ancestors has found its way into the DNA of too many of our citizens.
These ancestors all came from countries (on the continent of Africa) that were developed far beyond what Jamaica was, at the time of their enslavement. They came to this island with their worldviews, cultures, and languages, legal and educational systems. Whatever form these may have taken, they existed (and today, some still do). 'Illiterate' as an appropriate and accurate adjective for our ancestors, applies only in light of 'civilisation' in the Jamaica of their time.
I could continue to address each point Mr. Russell made in his letter, however this critique should suffice. My request to all who have tossed the issue of Patois versus English in their minds and conversations, is this:
Get all the information possible and seek answers for the questions in your minds, before taking sides. The debate becomes boring and tasteless when the arguments put forward are void of accurate information, and the minds involved lack critical thinking skills.
I am, etc.,
HEMPRESS
queen_neicy@yahoo.com
