To ask what has happened to BBC reporting? Mariah Carey

I am one that's had a quick Google 🙋‍♀️. I had heard of pidgin but had no idea it was thought of as an actual language as such as the BBC would translate pages into it.

Certainly not an expert but I'm glad I've been enlightened 😂

I agree, as someone who studied languages at university and who speaks 5+ languages, I don’t think being initially surprised by pidgin English in written form is racist.

It says more about why this knowledge isn’t more mainstream.

I was pondering whether finding this funny is racist. I don't think it is necessarily the language it's self that is funny. It is the contrast with how meaning is rendered so vastly differently through two languages that have quite a bit of commonality. One meeting quite dry and straightforward, the other much more expressive and descriptive. It makes me wonder what it says about the two speaking populations. I think it highlights differences and commonalities in a really interesting, and yes funny way.

I don't think finding humour in cultural and racial differences is automatically racist, sometimes it is just fucking funny.

I'm sure there was a thread like this before

I didn't realise the term Pidgin English solely related to the language Africans use, I assumed it was any kind of pidgin that included English.

I don't think it does... the specific one used (and apparently being standardized) by the BBC is. It's rather muddled and confusing terminology I guess.

I also love the people on here who have had a quick Google and scan of Wiki who are now clearly experts in Pidgin.

If you mean me... I'm definitely not an expert, I just find languages and their development very interesting and want to learn more!

I absolutely love the language - seeing it written down makes perfect sense in rhythm, tone, even pitch is absolutely clear. It's giving millions of people their voice on paper, just as with Scots or any other people who have been told their way of speaking, communicating, even thinking is not 'proper'.

I don't find it funny in the slightest - beautiful, easily understandable, melodic - but not funny.

Can someone explain what's the difference between pidgin english and a regional dialect?

I guess I was meaning to point out that pidgin isn't native to Africa as some seem horrified that posters aren't aware what it is.

I didn't realise the term Pidgin English solely related to the language Africans use, I assumed it was any kind of pidgin that included English.

It’s a bit odd to read something written in a particular language, and then claim it isn’t a written language… clearly it is, otherwise what did you just read?

Exactly. That is comedy gold and this thread must be preserved for all time.

I also love the people on here who have had a quick Google and scan of Wiki who are now clearly experts in Pidgin. Some of you could get into an argument in an empty room.

Just reminded me that many years ago I read that in Pidgin, the late Duke of Edinburgh was described as 'number one fella him belong Mrs Queen' which I thought was EPIC!

Yes 'it', as in pidgin obviously? Should it be a 'them'?!

Yes, because there's lots of different 'pidgins'. The specific one in the bbc reports is African, why would you think it originated in China? 'Chinese pidgin' has probably died out along with western actors with eyeliner by now; this African family of pidgins has developed into a true language.

"I'm curious to know if there would have been stages when 'English' or its precursors would have linguistically been a pidgin and then creole? "

I don't know about a book recommendation, but yes there would have been a stage where English was something like that - back after 1066.

When the Normans came over they spoke and wrote in French and Latin. Totally different from what English was back then.

What is now called "Old English" which is what was spoken prior to 1066 gradually changed into what is called "Middle English" by the locals picking up some of the French words and incorporating them into their language.

So, yes, there was a period of about 300 years after the Normans arrived when English was a developing pidgin or creole sort of language.

English only became the "official" language of England in 1362 when the law courts had to start hearing pleas in English only.

So, if you think about all those stories of kings like Richard the Lionheart, well they all spoke in French, not English. It probably wasn't until Henry IV (the guy who won the battle of Agincourt) that kings likely started speaking English.

And now mine! 😍

I'd kind of heard of pidgin English, but had no idea it was an actually thing that's written down and widely used, so I've learned something today.

Yes, it's a very uncomfortable read.

Shameful!

Yes 'it', as in pidgin obviously? Should it be a 'them'?!

I agree. It's not very professional is it?

🙄 There's always one!

Two tier reporting. Absolutely typical of the BBC.

I'm still waiting for BBC NEWS Glasgie and BBC NEWS Norn Iron.
.

I think what most of us found funny, well what I did, was that the OP started reading the article and was completely baffled at what she was reading. If she was not expecting that, it must have come as a real shock to see the BBC suddenly using that form of language on their site.

It was not mocking the language at all.

The OP’s confusion is what tickled me!

Google actually tells me it originated in China.

'It'? The wiki article I linked upthread on this specific Pidgin doesn't mention China at all. The English word 'pidgin' seems to have arisen in China but the phenomenon of pidgins as a means of communication, and the development of some into proper languages (as is the case here whether yet 'official' or not) is doubtless nearly as old as human speech.

I agree with you @Allthatwegotisthispalebluedot - the OP (and some of the early responses) were indeed funny as you describe.

This. It's not even classed as an official language and isn't native to Africa either so I'm baffled that I've been called ignorant. Google actually tells me it originated in China.

I'm thankful for this thread though as I've enjoyed finding out more about it.