Pidgin is a reduced form of speech derived from one or more existing languages and used as a patois by persons who do not speak another language. This is sometimes referred to as pidgin or auxiliary language.
Pidgin is a simple approach to communicate in languages since it is created by doing nothing or meeting people or groups of people. Pidgin is not a first language in any linguistic community, although it is learned as a second.
Types of Pidgin English
Nigerian Pidgin English, Chinese Pidgin English, Hawaiian Pidgin English, Queensland Kanaka English, and Bislama are examples of English pidgins. Pidgin English variants may be found all across the world, from the Caribbean to China, and each has its unique set of common terms.
The form of pidgin spoken gets more familiar as you go across West Africa, although it still differs depending on the local language fundamentals.
Pidgin English is extensively used in many regions of Africa, particularly in west Africa, and is largely acknowledged as the de-facto language for blue-collar trading with merchants. Pidgin English continues to be a fantastic platform for basic communication.
With over 250 ethnic groups speaking over 500 languages and dialects, English is the country’s official business language.
In all ethnic groups, taking a few English words and blending them with components of their indigenous languages has always been the most frequent mode of communication for residents who do not have easy access to higher education and white collar professions.
Examples of Pidgin English Words and Phrases
Now let us work on Pidgin English phrases as listed below:
PIDGIN LANGUAGE | ENGLISH LANGUAGE |
how bodi? How you dey | How are you doing today |
how far | hey, hi |
wetin | What |
I no no | I don’t know |
I no sabi | I don’t understand |
I dey fine | I’m fine |
wetin dey happen | What’s happening |
wahala | why are you giving me so many problems |
comot | Get out of here |
comot for road | Make way |
dem send you | Have you been sent to torment me |
gi mi | Give it to me |
k leg | your story or gist sounds suspect or exaggerated. |
I wan chop | I want to eat |
come chop | Come and eat |
abeg | Don’t waste my time |
vex | Don’t upset me |
I no gree | I don’t agree, I disagree |
abi | Isn’t it |
na os | Is that so |
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