Pidgin and Creole, two different forms of languages | Definition and Characteristics

Pidgin and Creole, two different forms of languages | Definition and Characteristics

Q. What is the difference between pidgin and creole?

There are forms of both Pidgin and Creole languages ​​that arise in a state of language contact and cultural exchange. Both of these have some similarities, but there are many significant differences.

👉  Definition of Pidgin

Pidgin is a simple language that is made when people who speak two or more languages ​​need to communicate with each other, but they do not have any common language. It usually arises in conditions like trade, colonialism or slavery. Pidgin's grammar is simple; vocabulary is limited and can include words of different languages. Pidgin is usually not the mother tongue of someone, but it is used as a second language or lingua franca.

👉  Characteristics of Pidgin

    Simple grammar: The conversion of actions, time, and complex sentence structure in Pidgin is very limited. It does not contain grammatical elements such as gender, adjective, or plural.

    Limited vocabulary: It has less number of words, and it is mostly associated with business, general interaction and daily needs.

    Words borrowings: Pidgin is taken words from different languages, but they are molded according to simple accents and grammar.

    Use of sound and gestures: The meaning is clarified by the emotion, tone and gestures in the Pidgin because grammar is not complicated.

👉  Definition of Creole

Creole is a fully developed language that develops from Pidgin when a community adopts it as its first language. When children start learning Pidgin as their mother tongue and this becomes the main language in the community, then it is called Creole. The grammar is more complex in Creole language; the vocabulary is wide and is used in all types of dialogues.

👉  Characteristics of Creole

    Developed grammar: Creole consists of complex verb conversion, time system and sentence compositions. It is richer than the Pidgin at the level of grammar.

    Detailed vocabulary: The number of words in Creole language is more. It develops vocabulary related to various aspects, culture and thoughts of life.

    Uses as the original language: Creole becomes the first language of a community. Children learn it from birth and use it for all work.

    Stability and standardization: Creole languages ​​become more stable over time. The tradition, literature and standardized forms of writing in them can also develop.

👉  Main difference between Pidgin and Creole

The biggest difference between Pidgin and Creole is in their level of growth and use.

    Pidgin is a temporary and simple language used only for limited purposes of communication.

    At the same time, Creole becomes a fully developed language that is part of the identity and cultural heritage of a community.

Pidgin is not the first language of anyone, while Creole becomes the mother tongue of a community.

Pidgin's grammar and vocabulary are limited, while in Creole it both develops more.

Thus, there are two different stages of Pidgin and Creole language development that occur as a result of language connectivity, but their social and linguistic importance is different.

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