pidgin English

American  

Or Pidgin English

noun

1. a pidgin language based on English formerly used in commerce in Chinese ports.

2. a similar language used in other areas, such as Papua New Guinea (where it has semiofficial status) and parts of West Africa.

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pidgin English British  

noun

1. a pidgin in which one of the languages involved is English

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Etymology

Origin of pidgin English

1820–30; pidgin, pigeon < Chinese Pidgin English: business, affair; etymology uncertain, but often alleged to be Chin pronunciation of business

Example Sentences

There are versions in local pidgin English, Hausa, Kanuri and Fulani.

From Reuters • Sep. 21, 2022

While walking through a mall in Accra, he overheard a couple chatting in the pidgin English spoken by Cameroon’s Anglophone population and immediately introduced himself.

From The Verge • Sep. 8, 2020

In addition to being suspenseful, “The Missing American” is wonderfully atmospheric, with people speaking mostly colloquial English, but also pidgin English and local dialects.

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2020

Others walked down the squat rows of storefronts like door-to-door salesmen, inquiring about dishwasher openings, or any gig that required pidgin English instead of a résumé.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 10, 2019

All this time Malcolm had heard Lyra and her little dæmon chattering away in their pidgin English.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman