PATOIS COULD be granted formal recognition as a Jamaican language, according to the leader of the opposition.

The proposal was put forward by the leader of the People’s National Party (PNP), Mark Golding, while speaking at the party’s 85^th annual conference.

The next general election in Jamaica is scheduled for 2025, and Mr Golding is hoping his promise of officially recognising Patois will help him become the country’s next Prime Minister.

According to a report in The Jamaica Gleaner, Mr Golding said: “We must acknowledge that we have a language problem in this country”. 

“Part of the legacy of our colonial past is the belief that the Jamaican language, created by our own people, is somehow unworthy and only to be spoken by those who can’t do better,” he argued. 

Mr Golding added: “It is time to move beyond that negative and backward way of thinking. It is time for Jamaica to formally recognise Jamaican as a language, to give it its due respect.”

Some supporters of the idea say Patois deserves to be recognised and will help instill more national pride in the Caribbean country.

However, some critics have argued that using the language in schools would put Jamaican students at a disadvantage when competing on the world stage.

Reggae superstar Bob Marley spoke using Patois in media interviews and recording his songs using the native Jamaican language – which helped to spread awareness of the language around the world.

Mr Golding also acknowledged that Patois is still internationally  “loved abroad” and needs to be respected in its homeland.

Current PM,  Andrew Holness was elected Jamaica’s ninth leader in 2016.

Mr Holness previously served as Prime Minister from October 2011 to January 2012.