The Role of the Social in Pidgin and Creole Language Formation
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Authors
Verdugo, Corinna
Issue Date
2003
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
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Abstract
Creole and pidgin languages have long been maligned and misunderstood. Their
place in linguistics has likewise been misunderstood and politically charged. It used to be
thought that they did not exhibit any "grammar" and were unsystematic corruptions of
standard languages. There is no lack of anecdotal reporting of indigenous peoples'
language use when communicating with Europeans in colonies. Much of this
condescending treatment of natives' language use seemed to serve European ideas of the
limited intelligence of native peoples. A number of linguists, notably Schuchardt,
conducted serious linguistic analysis and found that there are, indeed, regular systems at
work. His work helped to give validity to the languages, however, creole languages
continue to be stigmatized.
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