Kingston Slang

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Though the official language of Jamaica is English, when dealing with Kingston slang you'll find you need much more than a well-worn Webster's dictionary to follow most conversations. Jamaican English is a mix of British influence, Rastafarian vocabulary and Patois – a dialect shaped by West African idioms mixed with English, which is spoken by a majority of the people. Mix in Kingston slang terms that are particular to the region, and you can understand why tourists are often perplexed. Brush up on some of this local language before you embark on your travels and you might find yourself getting "reespek" from the "Yardis" in no time.