Contact languages such like pidgins and creoles were formerly considered as broken versions of older languages and therefore were called “nigger French“, “bastard Portuguese“ or “broken English“. But since the end of the 19th century however linguists had begun to study these languages. Since then they have no been considered as broken forms of „higher“ languages but new languages with their own systems (cf. Holm 2001: 1).
In this paper I will give a brief overview about the development of pidgin and creole studies in linguistics and how linguists try to draw new conclusions about the origins and evolution of languages and about language change in general by studying creole and pidgin languages.
I will first define the terms jargon, pidgin and creole and then depict some theories about pidgins and creoles and illustrate in what way they could be relevant for the understanding of language in general. Secondly, I will point out some typical characteristics of the Jamaican Creole and try to relate the illustrated linguistic theories to Jamaican Creole.
At the end of this paper I will briefly focus on the relevance of creoles and pidgins to sociolinguistics also on the basis of Jamaican Creole.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Definitions
- 2.1. Jargon
- 2.2. Pidgin
- 2.3. Creole
- 3. Pidgin and creole in linguistic studies
- 3.1. History of pidgin and creole studies
- 3.2. Theories of the origin and development of pidgin and creole
- 3.2.1. Baby-Talk Theory
- 3.2.2. Universalist & Substratum Theory
- 3.3.3. Language Evolution
- 4. Characteristics of Jamaican Creole
- 4.1. Phonology
- 4.2. Morphology/Syntax
- 4.3. Lexical characteristics
- 4.4. Multiple substrates
- 5. Relevance of pidgins and creoles for sociolinguistics
- 5.1. Sociolinguistic situation in Jamaica
- 5.2. London Jamaican English and its speakers
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper provides an overview of pidgin and creole studies in linguistics, exploring how these languages contribute to understanding language origins, evolution, and change. It examines various theories surrounding pidgin and creole development, illustrating their relevance through a focus on Jamaican Creole.
- The historical development of pidgin and creole studies.
- Theories on the origin and development of pidgins and creoles.
- Linguistic characteristics of Jamaican Creole.
- The sociolinguistic relevance of pidgins and creoles, particularly Jamaican Creole.
- The relationship between pidginization, creolization, and other language change processes.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by discussing the historical perception of pidgins and creoles as "broken" languages. It highlights the shift in linguistic understanding, emphasizing their status as distinct language systems. The chapter outlines the paper's structure and objectives, focusing on the development of pidgin and creole studies, relevant theories, characteristics of Jamaican Creole, and the sociolinguistic implications of these languages.
2. Definitions: This chapter provides clear definitions of jargon, pidgin, and creole. It differentiates jargon as a non-standardized, context-specific vocabulary from pidgins, which emerge from contact between language groups. Creoles are defined as pidgins that have acquired native speakers, undergoing a process of expansion rather than reduction. The chapter establishes a crucial foundation for understanding the key terms used throughout the paper.
3. Pidgin and Creole in Linguistic Studies: This chapter delves into the history of pidgin and creole studies, starting with Addison Van Name's pioneering work in the late 19th century. It highlights Van Name's observation about the similarities between creole development and other language change processes, focusing on the accelerated pace of creole development. The chapter also explores how the study of pidgins and creoles provides unique insights into language change, origins, and the impact of cultural forces.
4. Characteristics of Jamaican Creole: This chapter would detail the linguistic characteristics of Jamaican Creole, covering its phonology, morphology/syntax, and lexical features. It would likely analyze the multiple substrate languages that contributed to its development and illustrate these characteristics with specific examples from the language itself. The analysis would likely connect these features to the theories presented in previous chapters, showing how Jamaican Creole exemplifies broader principles of pidgin and creole formation.
5. Relevance of Pidgins and Creoles for Sociolinguistics: This chapter discusses the sociolinguistic significance of pidgins and creoles, particularly focusing on the case of Jamaican Creole. It likely explores the sociolinguistic context in Jamaica and potentially examines specific speech communities using Jamaican Creole, such as those in London. It would analyze how the social and cultural factors influence the use and evolution of Jamaican Creole, highlighting the language’s role in social identity and communication.
Keywords
Pidgins, creoles, Jamaican Creole, language contact, language change, language evolution, sociolinguistics, pidginization, creolization, linguistic theories, substrate languages, superstrate languages, language development.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Pidgins and Creoles
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of pidgin and creole languages, their development, linguistic characteristics (particularly focusing on Jamaican Creole), and their sociolinguistic significance. It explores various theories surrounding their origins and evolution, and examines their contribution to understanding broader language change processes.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents includes an introduction, definitions of key terms (jargon, pidgin, creole), a section on pidgins and creoles in linguistic studies (including historical perspectives and theories of origin), a detailed look at the characteristics of Jamaican Creole (phonology, morphology/syntax, lexicon, and substrates), and finally, the sociolinguistic relevance of pidgins and creoles, especially focusing on Jamaican Creole and its speakers in Jamaica and London.
What are the key objectives and themes of the paper?
The paper aims to provide a thorough understanding of pidgin and creole languages. Key themes include the historical development of pidgin and creole studies, different theories explaining their origin and development, a detailed analysis of the linguistic features of Jamaican Creole, and an examination of the sociolinguistic context and implications of these languages. The relationship between pidginization, creolization, and other language change processes is also explored.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the context, highlighting the shift in understanding pidgins and creoles from "broken" languages to distinct language systems. The definitions chapter clarifies jargon, pidgin, and creole. The section on pidgins and creoles in linguistic studies delves into the history of the field, exploring theories like the Baby-Talk, Universalist, and Substratum theories. The chapter on Jamaican Creole details its phonological, morphological, syntactical, and lexical characteristics. The final chapter explores the sociolinguistic aspects, focusing on Jamaica and the London Jamaican English-speaking community.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Pidgins, creoles, Jamaican Creole, language contact, language change, language evolution, sociolinguistics, pidginization, creolization, linguistic theories, substrate languages, superstrate languages, and language development.
What theories of pidgin and creole development are discussed?
The paper explores several theories, including the Baby-Talk Theory, the Universalist Theory, and the Substratum Theory, which attempt to explain the origins and development of pidgins and creoles. These theories are discussed in the context of broader language evolution and change.
Why is Jamaican Creole used as a case study?
Jamaican Creole serves as a case study because it provides a rich example of a creole language, allowing for a detailed examination of its linguistic features and sociolinguistic context. Its analysis illustrates broader principles of pidgin and creole formation and their significance.
What is the sociolinguistic significance of pidgins and creoles?
The sociolinguistic significance lies in their reflection of language contact, cultural interaction, and power dynamics. The paper specifically examines the sociolinguistic situation in Jamaica and the use of Jamaican Creole among its speakers, including those in London, to illustrate how these languages function within specific social contexts and influence social identity.
How does this paper contribute to the understanding of language change?
The study of pidgins and creoles offers unique insights into language change processes, particularly the accelerated pace of change observed in creole development. By analyzing these languages, the paper contributes to a broader understanding of how languages evolve, adapt, and reflect cultural interactions.
- Quote paper
- Oezguer Dindar (Author), 2009, Pidgins and Creoles and their Relevance to Linguistics with a special regard to Jamaican Creole, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/157597
