har
In Jamaican, the English pronoun "her" is expressed as har.
The word is used to refer to a female person or animal that has already been mentioned.
Which one should you use?
In some cases, 'er is used instead of her in Jamaican Patois.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form har functions as both an object pronoun, such as in "I see har" and as a possessive adjective, such as in "har book".
Did you know?
- In some dialects of Patois, har is used in a reflexive sense that would require 'herself' in standard English, such as in a sentence like 'she do it by har'.
- While har is used for females, the masculine pronoun im is used for both 'him' and 'his'. This creates a gender-asymmetrical system where feminine possessives are more distinct than masculine ones.
- The use of har is most prominent in the 'basilect' of Jamaican Patois. This is the version of the language that is most distinct from standard English.
Examples in context
- Di likkle girl over deh, a shi mi did tell yuh 'bout.The little girl over there, she was the one I told you about.
- Why shi nuh tell smaddy 'bout har problems?Why doesn't she tell anyone about her problems?
- Look pon 'er, she always full a style.Look at her, she is always full of style.
- 'Er father gi' 'er di money fi buy di new shoes.Her father gave her the money to buy the new shoes.
- Mi see har.I saw her.
- Give har di book.Give her the book.
Example conversation
Damion and Shanice are talking about a mutual friend.
- DamionYuh see har lately?Have you seen her lately?
- ShaniceYeah, mi talk to har yesterday.Yes, I talked to her yesterday.
- DamionDi food har mek was good.The food she made was good.
- ShaniceTrue, har cook real nice.True, she cooks really well.
