Nekeisha Burchell knew beforehand that opening her intervention in Parliament’s Sectoral Debate in Jamaican Patois (Jamiekan) would elicit a reminder from Speaker Juliet Holness that Patois was not the language of the House — which is exactly what happened.

“Hold on, hold on, hold on,” Mrs Holness said. “Standing Orders! And I think you are fully aware. And if I have to stop you again, you will not get any more time.”

Indeed, Standing Order 6 states: “(1) The proceedings and debates of the House shall be in the English language. (2) Every petition shall be in the English language.”