Pidgin and Creole

Pidgin and Creole

Introduction

                      At  times, there may be circumstances of contact between speakers  who speak two different native languages. When such people are forced into situation where they need to communicate, they would need a common code to interact. This common language used by speakers who have different native languages, is known as lingua franca. English is the lingua franca in many parts of the world. It is the native language in United States or United Kingdom; it is the second language of speakers belonging to nations like India, and foreign language for some other nations. However, it is not necessary that all such speakers would use the standard form of English or even the same form of English . Speakers of English as a second language may use different varieties from those using it as a foreign language.

                       In other instances, there may not be a common language of interaction. In such circumstances, a highly simplified language develops as a means of communication. This language is called Pidgin or Pidgin language.

Definition of Pidgin: Pidgin is a mixture of two languages and grammatically simplified means of communication that develops between two or more groups that do not have a language in common.

Thus, a pidgin is a contact-language. It is most commonly used in trade, or where both groups speak languages different from the language of the country in which they reside (and where there is no common language between the groups). A Pidgin is developed impromptu, or by convention.

Characteristics:

Ø A pidgin is not the native of language of any speech community and therefore has no native speakers.

Ø It is a second language created by speakers as a common language created by speakers as a common medium of interaction.

Ø It may be developed from words, sounds, or body language from multiple other languages and cultures.

Ø It is not used as a means of group identification.

Ø It allows people or a group of people to communicate with each other without having any similarities in language.

Ø It also does not require any linguistic rules to be strictly followed as long as both parties are able to understand each other.

Pidgin reduces grammar and simplify

                                                        

                                                                                              i.        Morphology (poor affixation and reduplication is common)

                                                                                            ii.        Phonology (CV syllable preferred)

                                                                                          iii.        Syntax (SVO pattern preferred and articles usually omitted)

                                                                                           iv.        Other linguistic features of the dominant language

                                            

Generally, pidginization takes place in situations where there are at least three languages and one language would be the dominant one. The speakers of other (non-dominant) languages need to interact with speakers of the dominant language as well as with each other. In such condition, they simplify the dominant language to a considerable extent. This simplified language created for interaction between them is the pidgin.

Example:

      Hawaiian Pidgin English: created by immigrant workers from                                       Japan, Korea, and the Phillipines who worked for English speakers

ü Ifu laik meiki, mo  beta  make time, mani  no  kaen hapai.

ü If    like make,more better  die  time, money  no can  carry.

ü “If you want to build (a temple), you should do it before you die – you can’t take it with you!”

Example: An English based Pidgin spoken in Papua New Guinea

Bai em I no lukim mi.                      He will not see me.

Bai	From by and by, (to indicate future tense- will)
Em	From him, meaning he.
i	From he, added to verb whose subject is 3rd person (like –s)
no	From no, used instead of does not.
luk-	From look, but means see
-im	From him, added to a verb with object
mi	From me

                                                 

Creole  Definition- When a pidgin becomes the first language of a new generation of speakers, it is termed as creole.

Creole is believed to arise when a pidgin, used by adults, becomes the native and primary language of their children through a process known as creolisation. Thus, creole is basically a pidgin that has become the mother tongue of the new generation speakers.

Characteristics:

Ø It has native speakers. Nativization occurs when a pidgin passed onto new generations and become mother tongue which is acquired by children.

Ø It is often classified as English/French/Spanish…. Based

Ø Speech becomes faster.

Ø It does not have a simple relationship with the standardized language they are associated with.

Creole expands

                                                   

                                                                                              i.        Grammar

                                                                                            ii.        Morphology

                                                                                          iii.        Phonology

                                                                                          iv.        Syntax

                                                                                            v.        Lexicon

An example of a creole:

For example:

Instead of saying me they say mi

Unu cya lissen to we mia say! (this sentence is written in Jamaican creole)

English is: Can’t you listen to what I’m saying!

·        Pidgin	·        Creole
·        First stage of development of language	·        Secondary stage of development of language
·        It remains a mere tool of communication	·        It becomes mother tongue of the later generation of speakers
·        Grammar in Pidgin is limited to basic principles	·        Grammar in Creole is fully developed
·        Pidgin does not have native speakers	·        Creole have native speakers
·        Pidgin is not a standard language	·        Creole is fully developed language
·        The word pidgin comes from English pigeon who was used as a messenger in early times	·        The word creole comes from French creole that means to create or produce

Though Pidgin and Creole are contact languages, there are some differences between them.