In the past white kids had white subversive cultural influences to look to, eg.punk era etc.. This is no longer and a vast majority of White/Asian youngsters now look to Black culture for their influence. This ,as well as racial integration, has lead to many non-Black youths "picking up the lingo". I'm interested to hear what people's views are on this , is this imitation of Black language and culture flattery or just another portrayal of bad stereotypes?

Flattery in my opinion. Kids black and white speak like DAT and DATS DAT and its definately not patios its a new stlye derived from Patios. Go to the under 18s section and read the text and tell me whether you think its a sterotype or not. One of the funniest lines i read in that section was by someone who wrote "Has anyone in here actually ever attended an English class".....

Personally I think it's inevitable that standard English language is changing especially as so many different peoples live side by side. English itself is made up from various other languages, Latin,French,German etc. so it's nothing new. I was just interested in what other people think because I'm doing an English degree and it would be good to include some opinions in my work.

THEIR TWO WAYS THINGS CAN HAPPEN, THEY COULD JUST DO IT FOR THE STEREO TYPE OR JUST WANNA BE IN OUR SECTOR, BUT LIKE EVEN IF THEY SPEAK PATOIS, THEY WILL BE LOOKING UP TO US, THINK ABOUT IT, WHEN YOU SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH AND ACT LIKE A ENGLISH MAN, THE WHITE MAN WOULD LOVE THAT, CAUSE HE THINK THAT UR IN HES SECTOR, NOW IF ASIANS AND WHITE EVEN DO THAT, WE JUST HAVE TO BLEND THEM IN WITH US AND LET THEM HELP CHANGE OUR STATE OF LIVING, ITS JUST ABOUT UR BRAIN, ITS THEIR TO USED. IF YA KNOW WHAT IM TRYING TO SAY GIVE ME CREDIT.

That's a bit like a white man asking: 'Is it ok for Blacks and Asians to speak English?'

In my opinion, YES of course it's ok - in today's climate, anything that improves communications between various races and cultures should get a thumbs up.

The white kids speaking in patois - styleis a sign that they feel more comfortable with the black kids and, you might say,look up to them as 'being cool'. Also, if it weren't for common language, how wouldso many africans be able to communicate on this single website? Because of the global power of the English language. Now, I ain't saying that English shouldcompletely dominate over all other languages - but it's avery useful tool.

Similarly, patois is a useful tool for the blacks, whites and asians to 'chat to eathother on a level' if you get my meaning. Quite simply, it's easier to identify with someone when they speak like you.

The only thing that does concern me is the Ali G stereotype - "If you iz chattin like dat, it meanz you iz a bit fick" Patois should berespected like other accents/dialects such asScottish, Irish etc. without the automatic assumption (from some) that you must bea gangster with a 9mmUzi about to shoot-up the neighbourhood ( and that's on a good day!) But, as with everything else that becomes mainstream - its image 'softens' over time ( it happened to rock and punk, and it WILL happen with Hip Hop)

I believe the same will happen with patois i.e the negative stereotypes will gradually diminish, leaving a behaviour (in this case a form of speech code) which makes a lasting impression on the host culture.

That's a goodthing for Afro - Carribeans anda good thing for the U.K as a whole!

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This is a funny subject but I have to agree with teddylove1985, language is language but do not drop your guard. A white can seem on your level but all it takes is a switch in speak and a haircut and they are no longer like you.

In my hood once white people pick up the slang we switch it up, when they start talking like you it is time to let go and create something fresh.

white people born in europe

do not

cannot

and will never speak patwa



i have seen only a few exceptions


what these youths are speaking is some new euro-afro creation

its not ok for white kids or any other non jamaican kids to speak patwa

This is the language of the youth, street dialect, not patois. Loaned words and expressions. Even Black children, many can't speak it properly, however they do understand it.

I think the comming together of the youths, be it through language, steered by our black youth is a good thing.

However, be careful, white people cannot help but take ownership of things that they did not create. So I applaud the way that black youths can switch and recreate when they feel and see this happening.

is it ok for blacks born in the UK to speak "patois"?