An examination of pattern in certain languages spoken primarily by Blacks has both a narrow and a broad focus. The former is on structure and development of the creole spoken by Jamaicans in England and to a lesser extent, a Black country English. The broader focus is on the relationship between the Kwa languages of West Africa and the Afro-American languages of the New World, both creoles and varieties of English. An introductory chapter offers historical background on the Caribbean and other Atlantic creoles, their origins and evolution, and their general structure. Subsequent chapters address specific linguistic issues, including: Afro-American clause structure; the rural-urban shift in dialect boundaries; the relationship of English and Black English; stability and change in British Jamaican Creole; and tone and intonation in British Jamaican Creole. A glossary, substantial bibliography, and index are provided. (MSE)