Can I ask this question without being sent to 'un-p.c.' hell?

Question

...spent a couple of days in London with old college mates, basically to see Carnival. They live in Streatham, and every pub we went to, we bumped into white kids (between, say 18 and 25) who thought they had just come off a flight from Kingston, Jamaica, with their patois perfect...and somewhat a bit camp. Maybe they presumed I would be impressed! Not seen it in most other English cities, so is it a 'London' thing, or have they got sick of the 'Del Boy' accent?

Answer 1

Cam off it, blad. Wot's it to you how mi talk wi' mi bredrens?

But seriously, Jamaican/West Indian culture has had a major influence on the UK, particularly in London but also in other cities. Birmingham for one. Food, music and language are all a part of that and I believe that we are better as a nation for the diversity of it.

Focusing on the language aspect, when we were invaded by the Normans we picked up a lot of Old French in our language. When we occupied India we took words from there. Language is an ever changing thing and I don't think English would be the rich and diverse language it is today if people tried to police how others use it.

This new accent is a mix. A part of the melting pot that todays kids live in and this accent/dialect mixture serves to differentiate them from their parents. The way people speak will always change and this (patois) is just one of many influences.

Answer 2

LOL... It's not just London, it's happening all over the UK. White kids trying to sound like Jamaicans. But not just the white kids, many young asians also are trying the accent. And the Black kids now sound white... it's all VERY confusing!

Maybe the accent is just evolving or maybe its something to do with that ghastly text language they all speak to each other in, but it does crack me up hearing a bunch of white girls on a train talking like Sean Paul!

Answer 3

No mate, you aren't being 'un-p.c.' - it's just white kids trying to be cool, it's an age thing with them. Ten years ago Irish accents were all the rage, there were even some camp ones too ... it's a fad, that's all.

Otherwise, I hope the Carnival was good fun.

Answer 4

If any one is in doubt as to exactly what you mean, then they haven't been watching Big Brother. That silly mare Aisleyne was a prime example of a white girl "trying" to be black, and not only does it not fool anybody, it annoys most of them and sounds silly too. As somebody has already said, show them a "real" ghetto and they'd run a bloody mile!
PS: I wonder if it's true that Aisleyne's parents couldn't spell "Eilleen"?

Answer 5

Its not just London - these kids are everywhere. Total identity problem - why are they all trying so hard to look/sound the same?? Their chat isn't even funny - I blame that w*nker DJ Westwood. Who the f*ck gave him airtime??

Answer 6

Identity crises. They are, quite frankly, so pathetic and insecure that they cannot just be themselves and have to strive to TRY to make people believe they are from a totally different culture.

The sooner this ends, the better - they are just so sad.

Answer 7

Lets face it the London accent is awful. Maybe they been on too much ganja (or maybe they need some!!)

Answer 8

I may be naive but what the hell is a patois?

Answer 9

what difference does it make no-one comments on non Jamaicans sounding as if they have just stepped off the plane or sounding as if they have an Eton education

Answer 10

It makes me laugh! If these children had ever seen a ghetto they would run for their sweet little midlle class lives.