Genesis of What We Know As Pidgin English – Etoh Precious

Languages like English, French, Italian and several other internationally recognized languages grace themselves with beautiful stories and tip notes from its history and development, however, Broken language or locally known as “Pidgin” by the society overtakes their historical pride with hers.

Pidgin English originated during the 17th Century in Niger Area ( now known as Nigeria) located in West Africa. This language was used as a means of communication when the Portuguese traders who did business in Africa underwent business procedures, as a result of different nationalities and language difference, Nigerian traders decided to introduce a language which was a combination of the European language(English), Portuguese basics and a touch of local languages like the Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa languages which are the three main languages in Nigeria.

Even with inherited Portuguese words like Pikin(child) and Sabi(to know), the development of “Pidgin English ” in Nigeria just like every other broken language like Creole in Senagal and Patois in the Caribbeans has infact grown to be the unofficial language of Nigeria as it is the major key of communication in the country of about 360 tribes with English languages that has overtaken by a little distance, however, institutes are undergoing research and analysis to make the language the official language of Nigeria as it gives us a sense of ownership and of course communication to even the illiterates.

The Nigerian Pidgin English is a locally and recently internationally recognized language that seems to be going nowhere no time soon as it is a result of the Nigerian spirit, Consistency.

©Etoh Precious