Iyaric
Also spelled: dread talk, i-talk, iaric
Meaning
The deliberately modified language of Rastafari, also called Dread Talk or I-talk — Jamaican Patois reshaped so that word-sounds match Rastafari belief. It replaces syllables felt to carry negative meaning and inserts 'I' to affirm the divine self.
Examples
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“Overstand an downpression a Iyaric wod.”
Overstand and downpression are Iyaric words.
Iyaric is best shown through its coined words.
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“Him chat pure Iyaric.”
He speaks entirely in Rastafari language.
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“Iyaric mek di language reflect di livity.”
Iyaric makes the language reflect the way of life.
Origin
A blend of 'I' — the central sound of Rastafari speech — with 'Amharic', the liturgical language of Ethiopia, reflecting the movement's spiritual link to Ethiopia.
How it's used
A linguist's and insider's term for the system behind words like I-and-I, ital, overstand and Babylon. Not commonly used in casual talk, but the phenomenon it names is everywhere in Rastafari speech.