Gus John
Sent: Tuesday, 16 February 2016, 23:26
Subject: Re: Jamaican
Hi, Liz
Good to hear from you and thanks for the update.
I like the idea of a book. A historical record of a 'movement' of the sort that J2K was is important now and will be as, inevitably, the Jamaican Language continues to evolve and consolidate as languages and the cultures that cradle them do, inexorably.
Reproducing the chapters in 'Taking A Stand' is a given. I might even write something new in the context of the work I am doing with the African Union on 'Language and Diaspora', incorporating some evidence of how the Jamaican Language has influenced the development of 'Black Talk' in youth culture in Britain as used by children of the second African Diaspora (Caribbean > Britain) and increasingly by white youths in Britain's urban populations. I continue to work as a member of the AU's technical committee of experts that is tasked with working out the modalities for making the Global African Diaspora the Sixth Region of Africa. This is something to which that great Caribbean Pan-Africanist, the late Ambassador Dudley Thompson, devoted much of his life to making a reality, but sadly not in his own lifetime.
I endorse Stephen Brooks' suggestion which I think would help make the project more manageable, not to say deliverable.
On a personal note, my daughter Frederica and her Sri Lankan husband live between Sydney and Melbourne. I must put you in touch with them.
Peace & Progress!
GJ
Professor Augustine John
International Consultant & Executive Coach
Honorary Fellow and Associate Professor
The UCL Institute of Education - University of London
Co-Founder/Director - All Africa Advisors Ltd
UK Mobile: +44 (0)7539 476041
gj@gusjohn.com
http://www.gusjohn.com/
http://www.allafricaadvisors.com/
Recte faciendo, neminem timens.
On Mon, Feb 15, 2016 at 1:36 AM, <lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Greetings to you all!
Apologies if it's been a while since I have been in touch, but I have now relocated to Australia as my base, to be with my daughter and gorgeous granddaughter, Matilda, aged 2 now.
However I still spend time in UK and plan to come over to Jamaica in June this year, to catch up with friends and pick up some projects I left hanging!
The new project on the stocks for "Jamaica 2000" is to co-ordinate the production of a book to be the document recording the activities we generated to support the recognition of Jamaican as a language.
The book is a gift really, not a money making venture, rather a way of thanking and recognising all those who supported our efforts and to tell the story for those still working to promote Jamaican as a language.
We plan to get some funds to enable us to pull together the stories and present the book as chapters of papers and interviews about the story. We would like to invite all of you to contribute, as well as the Bible Society and others who you feel I might have left out in my first attempt to move this lovely idea forward. I have been part of editorial teams who have put books together in the past, so I'll brush up my skills and welcome others who would like to be a part of the Editorial Team. Essentially I think our role will be agreeing / accepting the focus of your contribution and sorting out the order to present contributions in.
I don't intend this to be an arduous task, rather a great opportunity to be working together again to reflect on and share what was a pretty amazing story!
So, please let me know if you are interested to contribute and any ideas you have. Some of you have already written pieces eg Gus, your chapters in "Taking a Stand" and if it's OK for us to use them with credits, it will mean we don't have to re-invent the wheel.
Also to set the context, then perhaps something from your book Pauline, "Language in Jamaica". I also still have the teaching materials you wrote.
We will need poets and writers to offer items written in Jumiekan, so Yasus perhaps we can include Patwa Talkin? I am sure you will let us include some of your poetry Joan, with reference as well to Miss Lou's inspiration. Also there is that great preface in one of your books by Hubert Devonish.
We also need some humour, so I am including you Tony! That film footage you did ages ago is still going strong! So perhaps a DVD should be included!
Anyway, one step at a time.
When I hear from you and feel there is sufficient support for this idea, then I will seek out some funding / sponsorship. Let me know if you have ideas. I will definitely approach the Big Lottery in the UK as they supported the Caribbean Languages conference series in 2003ish.
Also ideas for a name for the book would be appreciated.
Every good wish, flight has arrived. Just spent a weekend on a sheepstation with a friend! Going back to Melbourne.
Cheers!
Liz Brant MillmanI will be in Australia until May 2016
My email is lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk and this is the best way to contact me.
My address is 206 Old Emerald Road, Monbulk, Victoria 3793
