For many years the study of Pidgin and Creole languages was widely regarded as marginal or frivolous, but recently, there has been growing interest in the study of these languages all over the world. They have not merely been studied for their own sake, but for the relevance to such concerns as language contact and change, historical linguistics, language learning, first and second language acquisition or language universals (cf. Smith 2002: 3). With this, the area of the Pacific and Indian Ocean has become increasingly significant for linguists. There are many reasons why the position of Tok Pisin, one of the two national languages of the independent nation of Papua New Guinea (with Hiri Motu as the other and alongside English as the official language), stands in the continued focus of scholarly attention. In a variety of ways, the position of Tok Pisin is like that of many other pidgin and creole languages elsewhere and it has a number of advantages as a source of data, as it is one of the best documented contact languages, however, “Tok Pisin is somewhat unusual among the Pidgins of the world in its gradual development over several generations as a second language before any extensive creolization took place.” (Smith 2002: 6). In spite of the work already carried out, there are still a few gaps in the current knowledge of some aspects of Tok Pisin and much of the literature is concerned only with the historical development of the language and the description of its linguistic properties, but it is not always clear how representative the features described are (cf. Smith 2002: 22).
The purpose of this paper is to closer examine the language concerning its history, linguistic features and current situation. We will start with some general background information about Tok Pisin and the region where it is spoken, the development of Tok Pisin into a creole language, the current situation and the external history. Then continue with the linguistic features of Tok Pisin with regard to the specific phonology, morphology, syntax and lexicon, and illustrate them on a text sample. And finally we will take a closer look at the educational system of Papua New Guinea, as well as its media, concerning the use of Tok Pisin. In particular, the relationship between Tok Pisin and its main lexifier language English is of primary importance and is explored in further detail in almost every section.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. General Background Information
- 2.1 Name and Area
- 2.2 Development of Tok Pisin into a Creole Language
- 2.3 Current Situation
- 3. External History of Tok Pisin
- 4. Linguistic Features of Tok Pisin
- 4.1 Phonology
- 4.2 Morphology
- 4.3 Syntax
- 4.4 The Lexicon of Tok Pisin
- 5. Analysis of a Sample Text
- 6. Education
- 7. Media
- 7.1 Papua New Guinea's Press
- 7.2 Electronic Media
- 7.3 Radio and Television
- 8. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to provide a detailed examination of Tok Pisin, focusing on its history, linguistic features, and current status. The study explores the language's development from a pidgin to a creole, its unique linguistic characteristics, and its role in the educational system and media landscape of Papua New Guinea.
- The historical development of Tok Pisin and its evolution from a pidgin to a creole.
- The unique linguistic features of Tok Pisin, encompassing its phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon.
- The current status of Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea, including its use in education and the media.
- The relationship between Tok Pisin and its lexifier language, English.
- The sociolinguistic variations within Tok Pisin.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the growing scholarly interest in pidgin and creole languages, highlighting the significance of Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea. It emphasizes Tok Pisin's unique development as a second language before extensive creolization, acknowledging existing research gaps and stating the paper's objective to examine the language's history, linguistic features, and current situation. The chapter sets the stage for a comprehensive investigation of Tok Pisin's various aspects and its relationship with English.
2. General Background Information: This chapter provides foundational information on Tok Pisin, including its name, geographical distribution across Melanesia, and the diverse classifications of its varieties. It explains the distinctions between pidgins and creoles, detailing how Tok Pisin's evolution demonstrates the transition from a pidgin used in limited contexts to a creole becoming the first language for many. The chapter differentiates between various sociolects, such as Bush Pidgin, Rural Pidgin, and Urban Pidgin, highlighting the influence of colonial contact and cultural interactions on language development. The discussion of creolization in specific settlements like Malabang illustrates the dynamic nature of language change and adaptation within communities.
Keywords
Tok Pisin, Pidgin, Creole, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Language Contact, Language Change, Sociolinguistics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Lexicon, Education, Media, English.
Tok Pisin Language Preview: Frequently Asked Questions
What is this document?
This is a comprehensive language preview of Tok Pisin, including the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It provides a structured overview of the language's history, linguistic features, and its role in Papua New Guinea.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents covers an introduction, general background information (name, area, development, current situation), external history, linguistic features (phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon), analysis of a sample text, education, media (Papua New Guinea's press, electronic media, radio and television), and a conclusion.
What are the main objectives and key themes of this study?
The main objective is to provide a detailed examination of Tok Pisin, focusing on its history, linguistic features, and current status in Papua New Guinea. Key themes include its evolution from pidgin to creole, its unique linguistic characteristics, and its use in education and media.
What is the historical development of Tok Pisin discussed?
The document explores Tok Pisin's development from a pidgin to a creole language, detailing the transition from limited use to becoming a first language for many. It also examines the influence of colonial contact and cultural interactions on its evolution, highlighting the various sociolects and their development in different communities.
What linguistic features of Tok Pisin are analyzed?
The analysis covers the phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon of Tok Pisin. It examines the unique characteristics of the language and its relationship with its lexifier language, English.
What is the role of Tok Pisin in education and media in Papua New Guinea?
The document explores the use of Tok Pisin in the educational system and the media landscape of Papua New Guinea, including its presence in print media, electronic media, radio, and television.
What are the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide brief overviews of each chapter's content, including the introduction's focus on scholarly interest in pidgins and creoles, the background information on Tok Pisin's origins and varieties, and the subsequent chapters' focus on linguistic features, a sample text analysis, education, media, and concluding remarks.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include Tok Pisin, Pidgin, Creole, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Language Contact, Language Change, Sociolinguistics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Lexicon, Education, Media, and English.
For whom is this document intended?
This document is intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes related to Tok Pisin in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Nina Schulte-Schmale (Author), Maike Naujoks (Author), 2008, Tok Pisin - English in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/118107
