where did pidgin english originated from

Indeed, using Nigerian Pidgin English is increasingly popular among young people, many writers, politicians and musicians. Nowadays the use of Nigerian Pidgin English is more widespread even among educated people and perceived as more Nigerian than English. Francesco Goglia who is an internationally acclaimed researcher and lecturer, offered his inputs on the Nigerian Pidgin English: But later as it began to gather momentum, the language became an inextricable part of the society.

It is generally known that in the past, the use of Nigerian Pidgin English was perceived to be for non-educated people and seen as very low-graded. The Pronunciation Problem of Nigerian Speakers of English Perception of Pidgin English in Nigeria

In the country, both the literates, such as the president, campaigning politicians, lawyers, doctors, and non-literates speak and understand pidgin, though it is mostly used in informal situations and English is used for official purposes and the medium of education.įrom Linda’s insightful explanation, we can decipher the originality and fundamental relevance of the language to every individual in the country. History of Nigerian Pidgin English and Elites After the departure of the missionaries, this lingua franca did not go with them but remained and is the most widely spoken language in Nigeria today compared to English. It is broken English like Patois and Creole, spoken along the coast of West Africa and it has extended to the diaspora, due to Nigerian migrants. Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE), originated as a lingua franca for trade purposes amongst the Nigerians and the Portuguese merchants during the 17th century. These languages came to serve the linguistic need there, by giving birth to the Cameroon Camfranglais (mixture of French and English) spoken by the youth today. For trade and religious purposes with no language in common they created a form of communication with bases from the European language, giving birth to most African languages: such as Creole, Pidgin, and Patois. In a piece published by Linda Nkwocha Okeh, she wrote:ĭuring the European quest for new markets and raw materials in the 17th Century, many Portuguese missionaries and traders arrived on the shores of Jamaica and West and Central African countries like: Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Nigeria were largely visited by the missionaries. The history of Nigerian Pidgin English can be dated back to the 17th century during the trade that took place amongst Nigerians and the Portuguese merchants. This is despite the communication barrier it has broken between different ethnic groups and religious organizations. Although it is commonly used throughout the nooks and crannies of the country, it has not been granted any official status. In the midst of all this, Nigerian Pidgin English is another thriving English-based creole language that is widely spoken as a lingua franca across Nigeria. So, how about the history of Nigerian Pidgin English? The country is estimated to have over 530 listed languages spoken, but English, to date, remains the official language that is mostly spoken by everyone in the country. This country Nigeria, which has been globally recognized as the GIANT OF AFRICA, owing to the large population and economy, has been home to hundreds of indigenous languages. Pidgin English in NigeriaĪs of now in 2021, Nigeria, the most populous black nation on Earth with the fastest growing economy in Africa and the highest GNP on the continent is a home to over 200 million individuals. In this article, I address the history of pidgin English and perceptions of the language in Nigeria. Nigerian Pidgin English is an English-based creole language that is widely spoken throughout Nigeria.

Where did pidgin english originated from