Language in Contact

Language in contact refers to the phenomenon in languages coming into contact with each other
due to various reasons such as trade, colonization, migration, and globalization. This contact
often leads to the emergence of new languages such as pidgins and creolas, as well as the use of
lingua franca.
a. Lingua Franca
Lingu franca is a language that is used as a means of communication between speakers of
different languages. It is often a third language that is learned by speakers of different
languages in order to communicate with each other. Lingua franca is used in situations
where there is no common language between speakers, such as in international trade or
diplomacy.
For example:
 English is commonly used as a lingua franca in many parts of the world, such as
in international bussines and academia.
 Swahili is a lingua franca in East Africa and is used as a means of communication
between people who speak different native languages.
 Arabic is a lingua franca in the Middle East and North Africa and is used in
formal settings such as government, education, and media.
b. Pidgin
A pidgin is a simplified language that arises as a means of communication between
speakers of different languages who are in sustained contact with each other. Pidgins are
often used in trade, and they have a limited vocabulary and grammar. They are not the
native language of any group of speakers, but rather a means of communications between
them. Pidgins typically have a dominant superstrate language, which contributes the
majority of the vocabulary, and a substrate language, which contributes many of the
syntactic features. The superstrate language is usually the language of the colonizer or
dominant group, while the substrate language is the native language of the subordinate
people learning the dominant language.
For example:
 Tok Pisin is a pidgin language that developed in Papua New Guinea. Some
example from various Tok Pisin are Lukim yu (Goodbye), Wanpela (One), Nogut
(Bad).
 Nigerian Pidgin English is a pidgin language that developed in Nigeria as a
result of contact between Englih and various African languages. Some example
from it “How you dey?” (How are you?), “Wetin dey happen?” (What’s
happening), “No wahala” (No problem).
 Bislama is a pidgin language that developed in Vanuatu and is spoken by many of
the country’s inhabitants as a second language. Some example from various
Bislama are Wanem (What/Which), Sapos (If/In case), Nambawan (Number
one/The best).
c. Creola
Creolas, on the other hand, are languages that have developed from pidgins. They are the
native language of a group of speakers and have a more complex grammar and
vocabulary than pidgins. Creolas often emerge in situations where pidgins have been
used for several generations, and children have learned them as their first language.
For example:
 Haitian Creola is a creola language that developed in Haiti. It is the native
language of millions of people. Some example, Bonjou (Good morning), Manje
(Food), Mesi (Thank you).
 Jamaican Creola is a creola language that developed in Jamaica as a result of
contact between English and African languages. Some example, Nyam (to eat),
Irie (feeling good), Bredren (friend).
 Louisiana Creola French is a creola language that developed in Louisiana as a
result of contact between French and various African and Native American
languages. Some example, Cher (dear), Lagniappe (a bonus).