Elephant Man - File

When new slangs are created in dancehall music, children are the first to catch on to them, thereby influencing the way they speak.

'Slang specialist' Elephant Man said he is aware that he influences children with the many slangs that he has created and made popular.

"Anything weh mi seh de kids dem go wid it. Di kids are one of di first set that hang on to it (slangs). When yuh hear di kids with it, yuh know seh de slang shot," Elephant Man told THE STAR.

Children are often heard using some of the slangs Ele uses, like 'mucho', 'tranquelo', 'shizzle', 'mi linky' and 'caliente'. However, he maintained that the children used these to greet each other.

In addition, he said slang was very popular in garrison areas.

informal cases

As for the use of words like 'two' and 'come', Elephant Man said he encourages children to say 'two', as they cannot count without using it. Nonetheless, he believes nothing is wrong with them replacing 'two' with 'few' in informal cases.

Renigade from the duo RDX said there are three languages in Jamaica: patois, English and dancehall. Words like 'two' and 'come', are usually inappropriate in the dancehall context.

He further stated that children were easily influenced by the dancehall, both positively and negatively.

"Although our music is not necessarily done for kids, it still reaches them. So we (artistes) need to be careful what we say, while maintaining the entertainment value," Renigade told THE STAR.

In the same breath, Renigade said some people went over the top when they refused to use certain words.

"Some people ridiculous with it when dem a seh 'three-day' instead a 'today', but some of it make sense," said Renigade.

Although not yet a father, he said that he tells children around him that it is important to count correctly.

respect

Overmars of the Ravers Clavers.

As a dancer and an artiste, Overmars said he is someone who children, especially in his community, respect and try to emulate.

"In my community, you have kids weh look up to we as dancers. When we come up with a slang, they gravitate to it. As dem see me, yuh will hear dem a seh 'Overmars above a dem'," Overmars told THE STAR, indicating that his newest slang was 'above a dem'.

"Inna yuhself, yuh feel good seh de kids a look up to we, but we keep it pon a clean level that dem can use it."

Children's ability to switch from dancehall slangs to standard English, Overmars said, is dependent on their schooling and upbringing.

In the meantime, Elephant Man says another of his songs, Ungrateful Soup, which is also a slang, has been creating waves since its release. The song was recorded on Mr G's Paranoid rhythm and a video for it was shot recently.

"My newest slang on the road is 'ungrateful soup'. When yuh have some friend weh start player hate yuh, tell dem seh dem a drink de soup, the ungrateful soup," Elephant Man said.


http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20090624/ent/ent1.html