✳flâneur — a map of the web's best reading

Language Log » Irish in Jamaica?

languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu · 2,829 words · saved by 1 readers

Nadine White, "What a viral speech in Ireland reveals about colonial history and Caribbean English", The Guardian 3/4/2026: Linguists say reaction to Irish TD’s remarks reflects shared regional English roots and enduring impact of empire When the politician Thomas Gould rose to speak in the Irish parliament recently, few expected a lesson in colonial linguistics. Yet clips of his speech began circulating online last week, with some viewers saying he sounded unmistakably Jamaican. The reaction was animated, particularly among Jamaican heritage communities. Responding to the Cork politician’s viral moment, one person wrote online: “The influence the Irish have on the Jamaican accent is uncanny.” Here's the clip: But the linguistic history is more complicated, as the Guardian article explains: For Hubert Devonish, professor emeritus of linguistics at the University of the West Indies, the popular narrative needs careful correction. “There are four main sources of English from the British

Language Log >> Irish in Jamaica? Language Log Home About Comments policy Irish in Jamaica? March 5, 2026 @ 6:05 am &#183; Filed by Mark Liberman under Accents << Electric shadows | Are you in the loop? >> --> << previous post | next post >> Nadine White, " What a viral speech in Ireland reveals about colonial history and Caribbean English ", The Guardian 3/4/2026: Linguists say reaction to Irish TD’s remarks reflects shared regional English roots and enduring impact of empire When the politician Thomas Gould rose to speak in the Irish parliament recently, few expected a lesson in colonial lin

Explore this link on the map →

related reading