When Patois Speaks Justice: Language, Power and the Caribbean
Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & CulturePlay episode
Show notes
In this episode of Dis A fi mi History, Professor Clive Forrester explores how English and Creole coexist in the Caribbean and how language shapes power, identity, and access to justice.
We discuss language advocacy, bilingual education, courtroom interpretation, and cultural movements that uplift Creole languages as tools for social justice and community empowerment.
Bio:
Professor Clive Forrester is a Jamaican linguist, educator, and scholar whose work explores the intersection of language, identity, and communication. His academic journey led him to investigate how judges in Jamaican courtrooms interpret and translate the speech of witnesses who speak Jamaican Creole, a subject that became the focus of his PhD dissertation and reflects his longstanding interest in language and social justice.
Since relocating to Canada in 2008, Professor Forrester has been a passionate advocate for Jamaican language and culture. At York University, he developed and launched two courses dedicated to Jamaican Creole, helping to bring scholarly attention to one of the Caribbean's most vibrant linguistic traditions. In addition to his work at York, he has taught academic writing at Seneca College and Sheridan College, where he encourages students to express their ideas clearly, critically, and creatively through writing.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Professor Forrester is committed to fostering a deeper understanding of language as a tool for communication, cultural preservation, and empowerment. His work continues to inspire conversations about the value of Jamaican Creole, the complexities of translation and interpretation, and the role of language in shaping personal and collective identity.
Website:
https://www.cliveforrester.com/
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Recorded Music Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
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