What’s It Like Being a Jamaican Living in Austria?

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  • Опубліковано 26 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 230

  • @Jamaicans
    @Jamaicans  2 роки тому

    Thanks for watching! Are you ready to visit Austria after watching this video? If you are an expat living in Austria what's been your experience there? Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a video in the “Jamaicans to the World” series - bit.ly/2yRRCxP

  • @beachdaisy4080
    @beachdaisy4080 3 роки тому +23

    I’m going to Austria to take some selfies!! Lol. Beautiful story.

    • @patriciarodney970
      @patriciarodney970 3 роки тому +1

      That was my funpart of the story. Selfie does it

    • @kaydenpat
      @kaydenpat 3 роки тому +1

      😂

    • @patriciawillims8213
      @patriciawillims8213 3 роки тому +1

      Lol why I did not see this interview when I was younger. Just saying dwl 🤣🤣

    • @Ehkaya
      @Ehkaya 3 роки тому

      @@patriciawillims8213 same thought I had. 🤣

    • @andremiller2197
      @andremiller2197 3 місяці тому

      😂

  • @sherifuntastic
    @sherifuntastic 3 роки тому +19

    This was one of my favorite interviews...she is so much fun, I really enjoyed listening to her. I could see that she is thinking as she put her thoughts together.

    • @violetmullings5753
      @violetmullings5753 3 роки тому

      Girl you are a true blue jamaican i love that

    • @andreeedwards6165
      @andreeedwards6165 3 роки тому

      Is her Portland accent she have up straight.

    • @andreeedwards6165
      @andreeedwards6165 3 роки тому

      Althea, you are a real Portlander. Hear your accent so strong as my cousins from mill bank & comfort castle.

  • @savannahwilson1295
    @savannahwilson1295 3 роки тому +12

    Another intriguing video....Althea you are authentic.....expressing and documenting your experience in the best way you can and we appreciate you. Whether you want to talk patios, broken English or a mix up of both.....who cares.....you know how to express and enjoy yourself. As you mentioned you didn’t have a tertiary education yet you were able to successfully navigate in a foreign country and learn the language with little assistance......kudos!!! Many of us do not the opportunity we deserve but you grabbed the opportunity you got and you are better for it. All the best to you and family.

    • @rabalaczepol7226
      @rabalaczepol7226 3 роки тому +2

      Couldn't have said it any better, the world is such a beautiful place and she's representing us so well!! I love her, shi naa try twang or nth she jus real, raw and authentic

  • @dolphins3291
    @dolphins3291 2 роки тому +3

    Cheers, Xavier and Althea, for such a warm, informative chat. Fam enjoyed this video -- one of yuh best, Xavier! Althea exuded loads of charm, and was so down to earth in being her authentic self and sharing with your audience about her experiences. A good storyteller, it was engaging listening to her. We especially admire her being self-taught, for the most part, at learning German. She came across as having a great attitude towards life, language-learning, and could poss master other languages if she wanted to. And Xavier, you got down the closing greeting dis time, man! 👏🏾😊 Languages can be fun. During our homeschooling, I demonstrated to mi children, to just listen closely, and parrot back the first-language speaker's pronunciation, and yu got it! As we used to say as pickney -- "easy like-a cheesy!" Some might membah dat one from primary school?! 🖤💚💛(NC)

  • @marshat8657
    @marshat8657 3 роки тому +6

    Austria is very beautiful indeed! I visited Salzburg, Innsbruck and Liechtenstein in June 2019 with my 2 daughters. In Salzburg our hotel had replays of the Sound of music movie all day and we visited the entire location where it was filmed. Innsbruck is amazing and picturesque with a river running through the center of the town. Driving through the country was just a breathtaking and memorable experience. I will definitely return soon. Great interview as usual Xavier and your guest is so very Jamaican with such enthusiasm for Austria.

  • @yoshi_godsgift
    @yoshi_godsgift 3 роки тому +8

    Big up to my beautiful cousin Althea 🇦🇹 💛 ❤ 💕 💙 💗 can't wait until this pandemic to end so I can visit 🇯🇲🇨🇦 🇦🇹

  • @shawn-a-leebernard6884
    @shawn-a-leebernard6884 3 роки тому +5

    I love this such a beautiful spirit! I especially love hearing about women who move with children, it gives me so much hope.

  • @DrDianeThompson
    @DrDianeThompson 3 роки тому +11

    I was in Austria teaching European physicians around Christmas time 2019. We also visited the church for the Sounds of Music. I said to my husband, I know I can find at least one Jamaican there. My people are everywhere.

    • @marcwatson6063
      @marcwatson6063 3 роки тому +1

      She is not JAMAICAN..What kind of wired accent is that

    • @hyacinthgordon5295
      @hyacinthgordon5295 3 роки тому

      @@marcwatson6063 . 🤣🤣🤣👍👍

    • @hopemcfarquhargraham5402
      @hopemcfarquhargraham5402 3 роки тому +2

      @marcjackson...she's authentically Jamaican...we speak differently that's what makes us unique.
      Everywhere in Jamaica you go people speak with different accent.
      She is 🇯🇲💯💯

    • @msymister6776
      @msymister6776 3 роки тому +2

      @@marcwatson6063 What do you get from being so overly critical of almost all the interviewees??

    • @kondensedyah9249
      @kondensedyah9249 2 роки тому

      @@hopemcfarquhargraham5402 She is truly a Jamaican. She speaks like some of the people from Portland, Jamaica.

  • @patwahili771
    @patwahili771 3 роки тому +9

    Being your true self is the best thing. Althea I really observed you translating in your head. Well done! Well done to Xavier aswell!

  • @kaydenpat
    @kaydenpat 3 роки тому +11

    She hasn’t heard of The Sound of Music?!! That would be the reason I’d visit Austria as well. 😊
    I love her laughter. She seems like a fun lady. The way she met her current husband is very interesting.

  • @jeremiahbutler832
    @jeremiahbutler832 3 роки тому +4

    I love this lady's personality, she seems so authentic

  • @totalwomanja9105
    @totalwomanja9105 2 роки тому +1

    This is a very fascinating interview with much to learn from Ms. Althea. Here’s a beautiful Jamaican woman who has made us proud. I really tuned in to this one and May listen again.

  • @worldisbeautiful399
    @worldisbeautiful399 3 роки тому +9

    What a great channel! I learned so much.

    • @Jamaicans
      @Jamaicans  3 роки тому

      Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe here so you don't miss any future videos in the series - bit.ly/2yRRCxP

  • @ookok8446
    @ookok8446 3 роки тому +3

    This was really fun.. I totally enjoy this interview the most fun one so far

  • @marshaandy8371
    @marshaandy8371 3 роки тому +10

    Lovely lady and a very nice interview

  • @jenniferjones3516
    @jenniferjones3516 3 роки тому +3

    One of your best interview Xavier. Such a beautiful soul.🌺❤️

  • @ArtsyIslandGirlJamaicanVlogs
    @ArtsyIslandGirlJamaicanVlogs 3 роки тому +10

    I appreciate this series Xavier ❤️

    • @Jamaicans
      @Jamaicans  3 роки тому

      Thanks for the compliment! We are glad you enjoyed this episode in the “Jamaicans to the World” series. If you missed any they are all located here - ua-cam.com/video/gjEvqG6tLzs/v-deo.html&list=PLt0YTBf5UEoc1-D9XLrtMdespsht1oBLJ

  • @Yesmyjamaica
    @Yesmyjamaica 3 роки тому +11

    Boy Another interesting interview. What a delightful lady. She thinks in German now. Commendations to you.You consistently find such interesting people and they all represent us so well. Big up. 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🖤💚💛

  • @acajudi100
    @acajudi100 3 роки тому +2

    I listen to Mozart no commercials on here.
    Super calming. You have the best interviews.

  • @authenticjamaican_1
    @authenticjamaican_1 3 роки тому +3

    She has an amazing personality...i look forward to all your interviews Mr. Murphy..keep doing great!

    • @Jamaicans
      @Jamaicans  3 роки тому

      Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe here so you don't miss any future videos in the series - bit.ly/2yRRCxP

  • @debbie0813
    @debbie0813 3 роки тому +2

    Can't believe the only reason I want to go to Austria because of the Sound of Music also. I watch it once a year

  • @richieredw2142
    @richieredw2142 3 роки тому +3

    The photo of the castle at the beginning of the interview is not in Austria, it's in southern Germany near to the Austrian border. The name of the castle is "Neushwanstein" and its in the town of Fuessen, just saying. Nice interview

  • @you_are_Profound
    @you_are_Profound 3 роки тому +14

    She’s so genuine and honest, l like her...😂🤗

  • @delightedbyu1
    @delightedbyu1 2 роки тому

    Good day, my name is Ray Mun and I am one of few speech-language pathologist from our bold enchanting isle. Last year I engaged admiringly in this forum expressing grateful thoughts about the range and breath of the island's impact across the world as embodied by the experiences, joys and laughter of some like myself who swam the distant shores. I made for study in one of the 50 states of the familiar land some call the US of A. Trials aside I wore Caribbean pride on my sleeves and chose to expand myself through overseas experiences appreciating the nitties and gritties of our culture to its daunting core.
    But ever since my well intended words were posted I've suffered spite compounded with personal gripes and the multiple manifestations of prejudice. Paul's powers paled to match the force of anger poured over one person's "falsities" by prying people. I have been chained to technology that bombarded me daily with a pessillence that pierced the eternities - I have been experiencing HELL!! I may have even identified souls seeking sabotage while personally being searched out and spied on.
    What is the cause of the scavenge? Right now my greatest desire is to renew my space in quietness. Still wishing for all the best during the splicing of what some would describe as my "Gladderation" turning into the greatest Lesson Plan and Preparation. I now know some big old Badginnals but let's leave them for another day...!

  • @icemareid7908
    @icemareid7908 3 роки тому +3

    Really enjoy this series

    • @Jamaicans
      @Jamaicans  3 роки тому

      Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe here so you don't miss any future videos in the series - bit.ly/2yRRCxP

  • @barbararobinson3369
    @barbararobinson3369 3 роки тому +3

    I would visit their for the sound of music i just love that movie.

  • @roxannemcintosh342
    @roxannemcintosh342 3 роки тому +2

    I loved this interview!!!!!

  • @876Ronnie
    @876Ronnie 3 роки тому +2

    Love this interview, thanks

  • @srb1392
    @srb1392 Рік тому

    I’m a Jamaican living in the US but will be on vacation in Austria during the summer of next year.

  • @delightedbyu1
    @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +5

    To all those people judging authenticity based on how deep one's Jamaican accent is, just because somebody "chat bad" doesn't mean that they are anymore authentic than someone else who standardized their English pronunciations!!!!

  • @candyreese9643
    @candyreese9643 3 роки тому +2

    I really fuljoyed this.. Thanks for this program I too would like to leave Ja to explore the world..

    • @delightedbyu1
      @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +1

      You can do it!

    • @Jamaicans
      @Jamaicans  3 роки тому

      Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe here so you don't miss any future videos in the series - bit.ly/2yRRCxP

  • @sherifuntastic
    @sherifuntastic 3 роки тому +4

    I can relate as I returned to Jamaica speaking more patios than English....it was a struggle switching from Spanish to English, patios was just easier.

    • @delightedbyu1
      @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому

      You probably weren't speaking patois!!!

  • @Cavellification
    @Cavellification 3 роки тому +4

    German is very similar to Dutch! learning to speak it is very hard especially the grammar.
    TOTALLY the opposite of English, XTREAMLY difficult language.

  • @audreyebrahimi159
    @audreyebrahimi159 2 роки тому

    I very much enjoyed this conversation.

  • @suebell1212
    @suebell1212 3 роки тому +21

    You can hear the authenticity, you can take the girl out of Jamaica but can’t take Jamaica out of the girl, love this, 🇯🇲

    • @delightedbyu1
      @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +3

      Having a deep Jamaican accent doesn't necessarily make you an authentic Jamaican. People can be authentic in so many different ways!

    • @suebell1212
      @suebell1212 3 роки тому +9

      @@delightedbyu1 My statement was not up for debate or discussion. If you watched the video, you can make your own judgement of it, this was MY takeaway. Be blessed!!

    • @delightedbyu1
      @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +1

      @@suebell1212 If you don't want debate and discussion you don't post things on UA-cam! I'm sick and tired of people measuring authenticity based on how people talk - it's just so simplistic and backward!

    • @suebell1212
      @suebell1212 3 роки тому +5

      @@delightedbyu1 You’re not in my thoughts to know the reason for my comment. The backwardness & simplicity of your mind, of you not realizing that these are just simple interviews, showcasing how far our culture is reaching. I’m not afraid to debate or to have discussions, however, it’s not warranted here, so take your criticism and jump out of my comments.

    • @delightedbyu1
      @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +1

      @@suebell1212 Simple interviews or not - stop trying to judge authenticity based on how someone speaks! It's irrelevant and baseless!

  • @dorrellwhyte5437
    @dorrellwhyte5437 3 роки тому +1

    Love these interview

  • @Ehkaya
    @Ehkaya 3 роки тому +2

    Xavier - Sound of Music is my all time favorite movie. I would want to visit just for that reason. When you said you have a secret I knew exactly what you were going to say. I have watched that movie so many times.

  • @genevievenugent625
    @genevievenugent625 3 роки тому +1

    What a delightful Jamaican lady!

  • @SBART1
    @SBART1 3 роки тому +2

    💠Very interesting, authentic interview💠

  • @delightedbyu1
    @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +4

    She love her Jamaican food though... I like the way how she says that she miss "everything!" LOL~!!!

  • @eslinemills5375
    @eslinemills5375 2 роки тому

    The ski jump in Innsbrook, the sound of music estate, the golden roof, Vienna canal trips, etc.

  • @shevahmorris9132
    @shevahmorris9132 3 роки тому +3

    I need to be in the right spot for my selfies!

  • @simonelavigne8618
    @simonelavigne8618 3 роки тому +3

    I would also go to Austria for The Sound of Music.

    • @JD-yu3dk
      @JD-yu3dk 3 роки тому

      I’ve visited. Go to Salzburg, Austria for all things Sound of Music and Mozart. Beautiful town,

  • @everlasting1971
    @everlasting1971 3 роки тому +3

    Beautiful Jamaican

  • @rosenigg9139
    @rosenigg9139 3 роки тому +2

    Austria is beautiful so much to do and see very Historic.

  • @ivarinebell4225
    @ivarinebell4225 2 роки тому

    That lady is so real her smile just wow

  • @lillianmartin9230
    @lillianmartin9230 3 роки тому

    Althea nice to see you this program great interview with Xavier

  • @antoinettewest2951
    @antoinettewest2951 2 роки тому

    Austria is beautiful thank thank you Althea.

  • @zitroybrown773
    @zitroybrown773 3 роки тому

    Wow really enjoyed this interview

  • @OSmith-yq5vb
    @OSmith-yq5vb 3 роки тому

    My xgrilfriend is Austrian I meet her in Canada thou I live in the USA beautiful woman beautiful culture very kind person her family is loving,they embrace I am jamaican most people would ask so what happen, I prioritize career thinking it was the most important thing, little did I know I lost a wonderful person

  • @claudettelorraineraphael560
    @claudettelorraineraphael560 3 роки тому +1

    I enjoy the interview no food better than our food

  • @InfiniteNaturalMystic
    @InfiniteNaturalMystic 3 роки тому +3

    She’s lovely ☺️

  • @TheEleith
    @TheEleith 3 роки тому

    Great interview

  • @leoneyjones1628
    @leoneyjones1628 3 роки тому +3

    What part of Jamaica is Althea from

    • @suebell1212
      @suebell1212 3 роки тому +1

      Long Bay, that’s in Portland.

  • @britt4404
    @britt4404 3 роки тому +5

    Interesting 😅

  • @delightedbyu1
    @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +3

    Wonderful interview and story. Amazing lady! I'm gonna educate though as I think Jamaicans need to get over this bit of craziness. So when most relatively intelligent people migrate to other countries with different dialects or languages they don't often lose their patois OR lose their English. In fact, the research shows that for people with average intellect, learning a second language can actually improve skills in another previously learned language. But one of the things that foreigners quickly learn how to do is "code switch." This is where migrants move in and out of their native tongue and can slip into the newer, learned speech pattern at a moment's notice. It's what most immigrants have learned how to do. One needs to communicate in a way that people can understand. Just for an example, take a listen to the delightful interview of Jamaicans in Sweden and you'll hear the two women code-switching from deep patois to standard English effortlessly.
    Even those who reside in Jamaica do this for professional reasons (e.g. Miss Kitty and a host of other media people, politicians, etc.) It's a way for immigrants and other people to cope with vastly differing linguistic demands and we often become better at both and that's a benefit to living abroad. For example, my patois improved after just living abroad for a year. I use it more now (talk exclusively with my mother on phone in patois). Guess what, my "American English" skills improved too, I learned a whole new set of idioms and adages that are unique to my adopted country's culture and I code switch daily like so many other people from the Jamaican diaspora.
    So you will notice that this woman is unable to code-switch from informal to more formal like most Jamaicans who want to show off their patois skills while being understood by an international audience (it's just one way for her when she's expressing herself using English)... She has likely adapted German and Austrian and her standard English might have fallen behind in that delightful mix. But please please people don't ever try to suggest that what she's producing is patois or that she's an authentic Jamaican based on how she is speaking in this interview because that couldn't be more ridiculous! And also understand that when people in our adopted countries ask us to speak patois it's often purely just for fun. Absolutely no company overseas is trying to hire someone who can only produce patois on the job - unless it's a niche position. It's shocking that some Jamaicans actually think this way. But this was an awesome interview and I wish I could one day meet this delightful and accomplished lady just to talk and talk some more!!

    • @hopemcfarquhargraham5402
      @hopemcfarquhargraham5402 3 роки тому +1

      @ray ray .....you could not have said it any better.
      On point.💯

    • @delightedbyu1
      @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +2

      @@hopemcfarquhargraham5402 It's just a little pet peeve of mine. Thanks for reading!

  • @rollingcalfstream
    @rollingcalfstream 3 роки тому +2

    Let´s go Mom😅😅

  • @tiamaria44
    @tiamaria44 3 роки тому +1

    My name sake.....God bless you Athea. You ran right into your spouse.

  • @janzichanz2968
    @janzichanz2968 3 роки тому +6

    aww, her jamaican patois strong tho

  • @blacksnowman8106
    @blacksnowman8106 4 місяці тому

    Where can i poblish my Story of beeing raised in Austria aß a Jamaican Citizen

  • @cherrypie3942
    @cherrypie3942 3 роки тому

    She is the real deal love her

  • @MA-yh2ko
    @MA-yh2ko 3 роки тому +2

    Where in Jamaica she come from? She sounds like my auntie who's from St Thomas.

    • @ashleym2713
      @ashleym2713 3 роки тому +1

      She said she was in Long Bay

    • @MA-yh2ko
      @MA-yh2ko 3 роки тому

      @@ashleym2713 ahh thank u

    • @DS-ss7fp
      @DS-ss7fp 3 роки тому +1

      Portland, Long bay is in Portland, but she could be from St Thomas also as it's close.

  • @janellmcpherson5108
    @janellmcpherson5108 2 роки тому

    Love it

  • @graceasphall544
    @graceasphall544 2 роки тому

    I love Althea. She’s hilarious 😂

  • @kaydianhoukes8364
    @kaydianhoukes8364 2 роки тому

    Althea you are a STAR :)

  • @20kevron
    @20kevron Рік тому

    Wow self taught very impressive.

  • @Junjo11
    @Junjo11 2 роки тому

    Beautiful husband and family 💖

  • @theilladvisedminor4915
    @theilladvisedminor4915 3 роки тому +1

    I thought this was published already😭

    • @marcwatson6063
      @marcwatson6063 3 роки тому

      Am I the only one who wondering where she get that nasty accent

  • @nickydreamgirlnd
    @nickydreamgirlnd 3 роки тому

    I was gonna say Everything 👍👍🔥🥰

  • @IdentityinChrist222
    @IdentityinChrist222 3 роки тому

    I live in Germany and I get some jamaican products there.

  • @joystewart7862
    @joystewart7862 3 роки тому +9

    Sound like English is her second language 🤣😂

  • @delightedbyu1
    @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому

    8:35 She's so sweet and honest to a T... mi woulda mek up suppn!

    • @Maitland5
      @Maitland5 2 роки тому

      The question should have been What they do in Austria that shock, surprise you or you find strange or really strange or different from what you used to.

  • @nickydreamgirlnd
    @nickydreamgirlnd 3 роки тому

    Intervie me am a Jamaican living in Germany over 25 years....

  • @beverlycross912
    @beverlycross912 3 роки тому +1

    Do u need a visa

  • @cherylmontcrief7600
    @cherylmontcrief7600 3 роки тому

    My question is do they miss there parents.

  • @shana100mckday
    @shana100mckday 11 місяців тому

    you can tell german is now her main language. the english does not sound so authentically jamaican anymore.

  • @zaviisims
    @zaviisims 3 роки тому

    This is what I’m talking about, exotic places not no damm Barbados or Trinidad weh everybody know

  • @singuntothelordinspiredbyt9140
    @singuntothelordinspiredbyt9140 3 роки тому

    This lady must have been living under a hole in Portland Jamaica not to have heard of the sound of music.

  • @shevahmorris9132
    @shevahmorris9132 3 роки тому +2

    She thinks in German n patois/patwa...n she tlk like a real country J'can woman.... no darn English in her head! Lol

  • @esbarrett2868
    @esbarrett2868 3 роки тому

    Funniest intro so far

  • @hyacinthgordon5295
    @hyacinthgordon5295 3 роки тому +1

    🤔🤭

  • @esbarrett2868
    @esbarrett2868 3 роки тому

    🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @anngore3842
    @anngore3842 3 роки тому +3

    Austria????? No thank you!

    • @anthonycoote9546
      @anthonycoote9546 3 роки тому

      It's beautiful there. Use to live there. Once you speak the language, you're fine. You're seen as enigma

    • @florencengeleka1240
      @florencengeleka1240 3 роки тому +4

      Racist country

    • @surfboarding5058
      @surfboarding5058 2 роки тому +1

      I agree with Ann Gore not for me Austria

  • @mellisahenry5875
    @mellisahenry5875 3 роки тому +1

    Hello

  • @ethlyna.rollocks1133
    @ethlyna.rollocks1133 2 роки тому

    Never heard of The Sound of Music? Very backward! Sad

  • @florencengeleka1240
    @florencengeleka1240 3 роки тому +1

    She sure doesn’t speak proper German , she sounds like Trinidadian

  • @singuntothelordinspiredbyt9140
    @singuntothelordinspiredbyt9140 3 роки тому

    This is a raw Jamaican..she still can't pronounce her words correctly.. ee instead of He..picha instead of picture? Tree instead of three, jus instead of just..ting instead of thing, dem instead of them, multiculcha instead of multicultural hahaha and the mis pronunciation goes on and on hahaha. But I like her story.

  • @marcwatson6063
    @marcwatson6063 3 роки тому +3

    She is not JAMAICAN

    • @delightedbyu1
      @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому +1

      I am definitely Jamaican, and I am having some issues substantiating her "Jamaicanness" with the way she talks!

    • @marcwatson6063
      @marcwatson6063 3 роки тому

      @@delightedbyu1 Thank you .It's sounds Aaawful..I stop watching and 8 minutes

    • @kaydenpat
      @kaydenpat 3 роки тому +4

      Please stop. You have no right to say who is or isn’t Jamaican.

    • @1marialatoya
      @1marialatoya 3 роки тому +1

      When living abroad for a while, we pick up accents of the places we are and the people we are around. She has been speaking German for years and some of the words she uses are with German pronunciation. With the many Jamaicans around the world, what does a Jamaican sound like? Do we lose our Jamaicanness by sounding different from people who stay in Jamaica? 🙄

    • @delightedbyu1
      @delightedbyu1 3 роки тому

      @@1marialatoya Great questions and without giving out my line of work I think that everyone on this thread may begin to suspect that while I'm not trying to pass as an authority I have developed more than a cursory interest in this topic.
      Knowing who we are as Jamaicans and our heterogeneity it'll be very difficult to put Jamaicans into a box. Too many factors at play, influences and variables to consider. But some key principles are as follows:
      1. Immigrants will adapt to the dialectic variants of their new home as a way of assimilating especially if they develop social and conversational bonds with people from the new country (when in Rome... do as the Romansetc.)
      2. The age at which one enters a foreign country will impact on the levels of adaptation. Generally the younger you migrate the more likely you are to lose the dialect/"accent" of your homeland.
      3. The extent to which one keeps contact with family members/friends from the native land via telephoning, face timing can affect how much "Jamaicanness" one keeps. So if you madda call you 4 times daily from Jamaica you may still sound a lot like her even though you live in NYC.
      4. The spoken language and pronunciation models that you've been taught to respect impacts how you talk. I still emulate some of the pronunciation models that I grew up hearing as a kid. No one is perfect but I think my models were great. Rest in peace Dorraine Samuels and Michael Sharp!!!
      5. Your job impacts on the way you communicate. For example if you are a school teacher teaching American born children and interacting daily with their parents and an almost all American staff this could bring out in you a different communication style than if you were to be a computer programmer working remotely. Again not saying that anyone is better than the other!!
      6. There's something called idiosyncrasies and people will get mad at me for this, but there are people who are just wired differently and have an "ear" for and is adept to soaking up new speaking parents and dialects (which a lot of people refer to as an accent) and I personally wish I was one of those people. They could develop a communication pattern that is more intuned with their new country for personal reasons while others find a preference for sounding as if they never left their back yard. Most people do code switching though - (a little of both) which I talked about somewhere here. Again this is people's preference and not a point of contention.
      Personally after living in the US for 9 years (four spent in grad school) I can manipulate how I speak in a given context. I came to America in late 20s - too old to pick up the "yankee" drawl. People detect that I'm an immigrant with a "British touch" to my "accent." Unless they have interacted with many from my region they have no clue and even if they have West Indian connections they never pick Jamaica for me but incorrectly guess Britain/Barbados, Bermuda etc. ...I enjoy the game and quickly tell some people, others I let them keep guessing and that's my RIGHT! I love being a little mysterious sometimes and I can do whatever the heck I want!
      Then my mother calls me, the animations and speaking rate triples, the rhythm changes and intonation pattern gets more colorful, almost could sound like I'm upset when I'm actually appreciative of the call. I quickly answer with "Whe unno a call me again fah?" which means "Why are you all calling me back so quickly" which is an innocuous greeting but could be viewed as offensive to a non-Jamaican! We can talk anywhere from 10 minutes to four hours! Another cultural standout point, many Jamaicans enjoy talking, as the oral tradition of story telling and dramatizations are valued in our culture. Today I told my mother "Mi almost bun down the house awhile ago" translation, "I lightly burned my toast" which I was eating while chatting to her clapping my lips (a no no if speaking with anyone not exposed to my culture) but totally fine to do with my mom!
      I think you might begin to get the point that Jamaicanness can mean many different things to many different people. I for one am an accomplished professional who assimilated well to the US who also happens to think that I am quite an authentic Jamaican as I'm deeply enmeshed with the culture, traditions and way of life. My family still lives there. I will forever be Jamaican and will never lose my Jamaicanness even if had chosen to sound differently from the people that stay in Jamaica. My decision, my choice... we are free to do whatever we want. I just think that the way one "sounds" is too small a factor in defining one's overall Jamaicanness. Sorry for the extended response but you know what, it's just my way of responding to the clowns who like to say that I'm not Jamaican enough simply because I chose the conservative path of being clean cut and shaved, studied hard and now do the modern 9 to 5, invest in stocks and opt for a quite life with close friends and don't feel a need to light a spliff or ever say "blood claat" audibly! But that's just my two cents, to each his own. Again we are too heterogeneous a people to pigeonhole!
      Disclaimer: I have every respect for my Jamaican brothers and sisters who use the word "blood claat" without reservation and of course my good countrymen and friends who keep promising to teach me how to roll and light a spliff ... guess what, at 35 years old... I'm too old...!!!