CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 129

“Who is talking Standard English in a social
space can give off the impression of femininity
or feminineness … Based on what I see, I can
then make the assumption, whether logical
or arrogant … that these people are moving
feminine, right?”
Like the others, Williams rubbished the view
that ‘English is for sissies’ but said there may
be times when a person, depending on how
he dresses or uses the language, may fit the
bill of a sissy.
A sissy is the term used to describe a male who
does not express himself in ways typical of the
tradition of and ideal male.
Jordon Grant said he thinks the gestures that
make a person feminine while using English
can do the same to that person while he uses

patois. He also had his own theory on the
relationship between femininity and language.
“To me, I just think you get away with murder
while using patois and be feminine than using
English and be feminine.”
Development and solutions.
Professor Kouwenberg charged that policymakers
need to strategise to find ways to encourage a
balance in the use of the languages, particularly
among males. She said it is integral that people’s
awareness of the fact that both Jamaican creole
and Jamaican English belong to Jamaica is raised.
She explained that it has to begin in the classroom
where there is a strong presence of female
teachers.

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Graphic by Yohan S. R. Lee