Entertainment

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Eight years ago while leafing through a Jamaican patois dictionary, Dennis 'Jabari' Reynolds said he was disappointed with its skimpy content. He believed he could produce a superior book.

"I realised it was just a word on one side and a definition on the other side. I decided it wasn't comprehensive and did my own," the 54-year-old Rastafarian told The Sunday Gleaner.

His patois translator, Jabari Authentic Jamaican Dictionary of the Jamic Language, was originally released in 2006 by Around The Way Books of Westbury, Connecticut. It was done while he was incarcerated in the United States.

The book was recently distributed locally through the Novelty Trading Company, one year after the author was deported. Given the evolution of the Jamaican dialect, he is already preparing a second edition.

"Is since I come down I hear things like 'pre' and 'sort out' an' a lotta other words," Jabari explained.

"Most of what is in this edition are words our grandparents used and they are getting obsolete. That's why this dictionary is so important, it preserves our history and heritage," he added.

Contemporary dancehall spin-offs

Some of the slang in Authentic Jamaican Dictionary such as 'saps' (a weakling; loser) and 'beef' (desirable woman) are no longer used. Others, like 'butoo' (a person of no class), 'champion' (female of sexual prowess) and 'raw' (unbearably hungry) have endured.

'Passa passa' (gossip) and 'goodas' (female of impeccable reputation), spin-offs of contem-porary dancehall, are also included.

The author also explains the link of some words to Africa, such as his adopted name which is Amharic for a brave male.

Jabari says he kept pace with changing trends during his incarceration through listening to radio stations and reading newspapers.

It took him three years to complete the dictionary which he banged out on a typewriter.

Dissatisfied with how Authentic Jamaican Dictionary was marketed by Around The Way Books, he assumed control of its copyright and struck a deal with Novelty to handle distribution.

Born at Wildman Street in central Kingston, Dennis Reynolds attended Kingston College on a government scholarship. After graduation, he worked in the national youth service and as a draughtsman at Land Valuation before moving to the US.

Authentic Jamaican Dictionary is one of two books he has written. The other, Chronicles of a Hot Stepper, was also released in 2006.