Tension in Parliament after MP Burchell’s Patois address sparks language debate

There was tension in Gordon House yesterday, owing to a debate between Government and Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) over language, culture and parliamentary procedures.

It began after Opposition Spokesperson on Creative Industries, Culture and Information Nekeisha Burchell commenced her maiden Sectoral Debate presentation in Jamaican Patois.

House Speaker Juliet Holness then interrupted Burchell, and pointed out that the English language should be used in keeping with the Standing Orders.

The Speaker’s intervention immediately triggered murmurs before erupting into a brief exchange between Members on both sides of the aisle.

Government MPs rallied behind Mrs. Holness’ enforcement of parliamentary rules insisting that the Standing Orders must be upheld regardless of the circumstances.

Opposition Members however pushed back, arguing that Ms Burchell should have been allowed to speak in Patois, the language understood by the majority of the population.

Ms. Burchell later defended her decision to begin her presentation in Patois, arguing that the subject matter itself made the choice appropriate.

She then stated that she would deliver her remarks in Standard English.

Meantime, Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr. Carolyn Cooper says the controversy surrounding the use of Jamaican Patois in Parliament highlights the need for changes to the Standing Orders.

Speaking with IRIE FM’s host, Mutabaruka on the Stepping Razor this afternoon, Dr. Cooper argued that the current rules fail to reflect the linguistic reality of the country.

She said it cannot be acceptable for the language spoken by the majority of Jamaicans to be disallowed in the nation’s Parliament.

Dr. Cooper further argued that the issue points to what she describes as a longstanding lack of respect for the Jamaican language.

She noted that many people still dismiss Patois as “broken English” instead of recognising it as a language in its own right.