What is the national language of Jamaica?

The official language of Jamaica is English. The English spoken in Jamaica has a distinctive cadence and melody that makes it identifiable. Most Jamaicans also speak Creole, a blend of English and African languages.

Jamaica was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494, but control was passed to England in 1655, which provides most of Jamaica's linguistic influence. African slaves were the primary occupant of Jamaica following the slow demise of indigenous population. These slaves brought indigenous African languages with them and provided an influence on the English spoken in Jamaica. This blend of African and English languages is known as Creole, which is spoken conversationally in much of Jamaica.