Similarities between the Irish and the Jamaican accents have made Thomas Gould, an Irish politician, a very famous man in an unlikely place, Jamaica.
A video of Gould giving a speech about the housing crisis in Ireland not only displayed his passion for the subject, but it also showed many who were unaware of the connection between Ireland and Jamaica.
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According to Old Historical Pictures, in the 1600s, thousands of Irish prisoners and servants were shipped to Jamaica by the English, creating a linguistic fusion that still echoes in Jamaican patois centuries later.
When Jamaicans heard Gould’s accent, they felt a kinship with the Irish politician.
According to his social media, 57-year-old Gould is a Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central and spokesperson on Urban Regeneration and Renewal, Planning, Public Realm, and Local Government.
Thomas Gould reacts to going viral for his accent
The Neil Prendeville Show on Red FM interviewed Gould about his viral video and his new fame in Jamaica.
“It’s actually unbelievable. I gave that speech a couple of weeks ago, and in the last few days, it’s gone crazy.”
“I know, being from Knocknaheeny, I have a very strong Northside accent,” said Gould.
“Do they understand you in the Dáil?” asked Prendeville.
“One or two tried to make fun of the Cork accent. But what they don’t get is I’m really proud of being from Cork,” said Gould.
“The similarities between Tommy Gould and maybe Shaggy, perhaps…” Prendeville said.
“I’m more of a Bob Marley kind of a guy,” joked Gould.
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