128 Pages
    by Routledge

    128 Pages
    by Routledge

    The focus of this study is upon those pidgins and creoles which are English based and which have arisen since the fifteenth century. The book examines the widespread nature of the pidgin/creole phenomenon and evaluates the current definitions of the terms and the theories which have been advanced to account for their existence. The author considers the potential of pidgins and creoles as literary media and as vehicles for education. She looks at the sociological and psychological implications of using pidgins and creoles in the classroom and examines the position of American `Black English' and `London Jamaican' in the pidgin/creole continuum.

    Preface 1. Introduction 2. Language and name 3. Theories of origin:pidgins 4. The process of development:from pidgin to creole 5. The scope of pidgins and creoles 6. Conclusion Appendix 1. List of pidgins and creoles reffered to and area of use 2. List of less well-known languages referred to and areas of use 3. Source of proverbs quoted 4. Pidgin and creole texts Bibliography Index

    Biography

    Professor Loreto Todd, Loreto Todd

    `This book is a marvellous feat of culling major issues and synthesising complex arguments. It is a boon to those of us working in the field.' - Journal of Linguistics

    `Todd offers a thought-provoking and extended guide to the issues.' - International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching

    `This slender but meaty volume is a good, solid and current introduction to the field of pidgin and creole languages.' - Language in Society

    `It may well accomplish the dream of all writers of such handbooks: convince the beginner that he should learn at least one new language and devote himself to the field in the area.' - Barbara H.M. Strang, Modern Language Review

    `A splendid book. Its lucid account of the nature and variety of these languages provides an easily assimilated guide for those ignorant of the subject, and a thorough aide-memoire for those who work in the area ... a book with real substance.' - Forum for Modern Language Studies