In a recent event, House Speaker Juliet Holness stopped Opposition Spokesperson Nekeisha Burchell from delivering her speech in Jamaican patois during the Sectoral Debate in Parliament. Holness cited the Standing Orders, which mandate the use of standard English in the House of Representatives. Burchell began her speech in patois, which led to the interruption. The chamber saw brief exchanges between government and opposition members. Opposition members argued that Burchell should be allowed to use the Jamaican dialect, as it's the language of the majority of Jamaicans. Burchell, after being warned, continued her presentation in English. She noted that while she understood the conventions of the House, she felt it fitting to begin a presentation on culture in the language understood by most Jamaicans. The incident highlighted the ongoing debate regarding the use of local dialects in formal settings.