Pidgin is a simplified version of a language used by two non-fluent speakers in order to communicate. Pidgin languages have limited structure and vocabulary in order to facilitate communication between two speakers who do not share a common native tongue. Pigeon English was spoken in China in 1859 in order to communicate with Europeans. The spelling was changed to pidgin English in 1876. The word pidgin comes from the Chinese pronunciation of the English word, business. Pidgin is a term that has now been extended to any simplified version of the language used by two non-fluent speakers in order to communicate.
A pigeon is a fat bird that eats seeds and has found a home in many large towns and cities. Large populations are found in places like St. Mark’s Square in Venice, and pigeons are known for roosting on statues. Their droppings can be a large problem. Pigeon comes from the Latin pipionem meaning squab, young chirping bird.
Examples
In Hawaii, We Talk About Ethnicity All The Time — Including In Pidgin (Honolulu Civil Beat)
With over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria and their respective indigenous languages, pidgin is the one language that unites us all. (The Pulse Nigeria)
Pidgin thus becomes the ‘second language’ for the communities in contact; it is in addition to their indigenous languages, which they use for intra-communal communication. (The International News)
In Pidgin English, which is popular in West African countries, “doctor” Musa initially asked to meet this reporter in town but later gave directions to some service station in Braeside. (The Zimbabwe Standard)
I noticed a lone pigeon walking around underground near the stairs that led to the street. (The Huffington Post)
A Co Armagh pigeon fancier is seeking £60,000 in damages for the alleged killing of nearly 60 birds by hounds from a local hunt, the High Court heard today. (The Belfast Telegraph)
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