THE EDITOR, Sir:

I have read in recent times of a proposal to publish a Patois Bible and to teach it in schools. I am totally against that. We should be thinking about teaching Chinese or some other foreign language. The world is a village, having a second language could become an advantage in terms of employment.

Patois is inherited. I think we speak it well enough. We should put more emphasis on English. I was so appalled watching the junior Olympics held in Barbados some time ago. When the athletes from the other Caribbean islands were interviewed they were so articulate; all the Jamaicans were saying was 'yes' and 'no, Sir'.

I am encouraging all Jamaicans to get familiar with the English Language based on the experience I had when I came to America. I was ridiculed and corrected for not pronouncing words properly, not using my h's and my 'th'. I wish I had learned English. There is no need for a Patois Bible or teaching it in school; let foreigners do that. Why do we want to teach Patois when we don't know English.

I am, etc,

KENNETH LLEWELLYN

kennethllewellyn@hotmail.com

Brooklyn, NY

Via Go-Jamaica