pidgin
pidgin
Definition
pidgin (pij′in)
noun
- a mixed language, or jargon, incorporating the vocabulary of one or more languages with a very simplified form of the grammatical system of one of these and not used as the main language of any of its speakers
- any of various such languages, as pidgin English or bêche-de-mer
Etymology: supposed Chin pronun. of business
pidgin
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- speak: This often happens when children speak a pidgin as their first language or mother tongue.
- include: These include pidgins, creoles, regional dialects, minority dialects and varieties.
Modifies a noun
- English: Pidgin English is widely spoken in Cameroon, especially in coastal areas.
- language: They're so used to me that we can just have a laugh and even have private conversations in pidgin sign language!
- tongue: Speakers of pidgin tongues, children at the two-word stage, and wild children are all considered to speak in protolanguage.
Browse dictionary entries near pidgin
- pidgin English
- pie
- pie chart
- pie-eyed
- pie in the sky
- piebald
- piece
- piece-dyed
- piece goods
- piece of ass
