Velma Pollard

About the Author

Velma Pollard is a distinguished Jamaican author, educator, and linguist whose literary works vividly capture the rhythms and resilience of Caribbean life. With a career spanning decades, she has contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Jamaican Creole through her writings and academic pursuits, including her role as a professor of linguistics at the University of the West Indies. Pollard's narratives often weave historical and cultural threads, exploring themes of migration, identity, and the natural world with a keen eye for detail and authenticity. Her acclaimed book, Breadfruit Stories: A tree's journey from Tahiti to the West Indies, 1760s to 1840s, traces the fascinating botanical and colonial history of the breadfruit, blending meticulous research with engaging storytelling. A recipient of numerous awards for her contributions to literature and education, Pollard continues to inspire readers with her insightful portrayals of the Caribbean experience.