The Bible was introduced in the Caribbean at the very beginning of European colonisation and its influence remains strong. It was the instrument of the church and the church was at the root of general education. At all levels, church-controlled education involved rote learning, especially of the Bible. As a result, a demonstration of in-depth knowledge of the Bible was a clear indication of higher learning.

Rasta English

The Rastafarian belief system is a combination of African cultural themes, old testament Christianity and elements of Marcus Garvey's preaching. As an ideology, it offers a reversal of the social order and a positive self image for all Black people. It also offers a way of speaking which easily integrates into the local dialects of the Caribbean.

The language of Rastafari is Jamaican Creole modified to reflect the philosophy of the Rasta. There are at least three processes of word formation within the Rastafarian lexicon. The syntax of Jamaican Creole is left intact except for the substitution of the form I or I and I for the Jamaican pronoun, me. The reason for this change is not entirely to do with syntax. The sound [ai] is important in the speech of the Rastafari. It is a sound with a positive force. In the pure Jamaican Creole, the first person singular in all its cases is expressed by the pronoun, me: Me have me book.