NIGERIAN PIDGIN: Still Nigeria's Motor Park English? - By Sampson Malachy
This was because of its dexterity and street acceptance.
I remember vividly, when I was flogged by my teacher in front of the class for speaking ‘’Nigerian Pidgin’’ which was out rightly referred to as the ‘’Motor park English’’ – (Simplified and informal English for Touts and nuisance in the society).
After the incident, I was forced to hate the language of the ‘’street’’ and the common man.
Today, Nigerian pidgin has evolved. Brands want to relate with it; because it is the simplest means of reaching out to every people in different clime – (Rural or City).
We now have RADIO and TV stations that produce pidgin content and I am sure my teacher listens to and enjoys them as well.
There have always been arguments as to which Nigerian Language should be made the national language.
No consensus has been reached from such arguments in times past as a result of Language Chauvinism where one thinks their language is superior than others.
The inability to make an indigenous language a national/official language will always be there in a country like Nigeria where there are lots of ethnic groups and diverse languages.
Turns out, that pidgin might just be our saving grace because the Nigerian pidgin has become a common ground where non-literates, half literates and full literates meet. It’s also a common ground where Nigerians who do not understand each other’s Language meet.
An Ibibio man going to buy Suya from a Hausa man automatically switches to pidgin during the transaction process. “Aboki, this one no reach.
Put Suya abeg.”
Nigerian pidgin is now celebrated and right now, we shouldn’t be confused anymore as to which of the indigenous language should be chosen as a National/official language.
This is because, the pidgin that was once rejected has become the chief corner stone.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Sampson Malachy is a Digital Journalist, Publicist, Content Producer and Talent Manager.
He is passionate about making the world a better place for all.
Follow him on Twitter: @Iammalachy or mail him via sampsonmalachy93@gmail.com.
Nigeria is a country with over 500 languages. Imaging traversing the country and needing to learn that many languages just to communicate with indigenes (some of who cannot speak 'Queen's English'). This is where pidgin comes in handy and is a blessing. It is everybody's language.
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