For many years the study of Pidgin and Creole languages was widely regarded as marginal or frivolous, but recently, there has been growing interest in the study of these languages all over the world. They have not merely been studied for their own sake, but for the relevance to such concerns as language contact and change, historical linguistics, language learning, first and second language acquisition or language universals (cf. Smith 2002: 3). With this, the area of the Pacific and Indian Ocean has become increasingly significant for linguists. There are many reasons why the position of Tok Pisin, one of the two national languages of the independent nation of Papua New Guinea (with Hiri Motu as the other and alongside English as the official language), stands in the continued focus of scholarly attention. In a variety of ways, the position of Tok Pisin is like that of many other pidgin and creole languages elsewhere and it has a number of advantages as a source of data, as it is one of the best documented contact languages, however, “Tok Pisin is somewhat unusual among the Pidgins of the world in its gradual development over several generations as a second language before any extensive creolization took place.” (Smith 2002: 6). In spite of the work already carried out, there are still a few gaps in the current knowledge of some aspects of Tok Pisin and much of the literature is concerned only with the historical development of the language and the description of its linguistic properties, but it is not always clear how representative the features described are (cf. Smith 2002: 22).
The purpose of this paper is to closer examine the language concerning its history, linguistic features and current situation. We will start with some general background information about Tok Pisin and the region where it is spoken, the development of Tok Pisin into a creole language, the current situation and the external history. Then continue with the linguistic features of Tok Pisin with regard to the specific phonology, morphology, syntax and lexicon, and illustrate them on a text sample. And finally we will take a closer look at the educational system of Papua New Guinea, as well as its media, concerning the use of Tok Pisin. In particular, the relationship between Tok Pisin and its main lexifier language English is of primary importance and is explored in further detail in almost every section.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. General Background Information
- 2.1 Name and Area
- 2.2 Development of Tok Pisin into a Creole Language
- 2.3 Current Situation
- 3. External History of Tok Pisin
- 4. Linguistic Features of Tok Pisin
- 4.1 Phonology
- 4.2 Morphology
- 4.3 Syntax
- 4.4 The Lexicon of Tok Pisin
- 5. Analysis of a Sample Text
- 6. Education
- 7. Media
- 7.1 Papua New Guinea's Press
- 7.2 Electronic Media
- 7.3 Radio and Television
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to thoroughly examine Tok Pisin, focusing on its history, linguistic features, and current usage in Papua New Guinea. The study will explore the evolution of Tok Pisin from a pidgin to a creole, analyzing its linguistic structure and its role within the Papua New Guinean context.
- The historical development of Tok Pisin and its evolution from a pidgin to a creole language.
- The linguistic features of Tok Pisin, including its phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon.
- The current status of Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea, including its use in education and media.
- The relationship between Tok Pisin and English, its lexifier language.
- The different varieties of Tok Pisin and the sociolinguistic factors influencing its development.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the growing scholarly interest in Pidgin and Creole languages and highlights the importance of Tok Pisin, a national language of Papua New Guinea, as a subject of linguistic study. It emphasizes the existing gaps in the understanding of Tok Pisin, particularly regarding the representativeness of described features, and outlines the paper's objective to examine the language's history, linguistic characteristics, and current status, focusing on its relationship with English.
2. General Background Information: This chapter provides foundational information about Tok Pisin. It details the language's name and geographical distribution across Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands in Melanesia. Different classifications of Tok Pisin are discussed, focusing on geographical variations and sociolects (Bush Pidgin, Rural Pidgin, Urban Pidgin, and Tok Masta), reflecting varying degrees of contact with Western culture and English. The chapter also explains the distinction between pidgins and creoles, highlighting how Tok Pisin's development over generations has led to its increasing use as a native language (creolization), even though it is often referred to as a pidgin. The complex and sometimes confusing classification of Tok Pisin is thoroughly explored, emphasizing the fluidity of its status as either a pidgin or a creole.
Keywords
Tok Pisin, Pidgin, Creole, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, English, Language Contact, Language Change, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Lexicon, Sociolinguistics, Education, Media.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Tok Pisin
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Tok Pisin, a language spoken in Papua New Guinea. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The goal is to offer a structured and professional analysis of Tok Pisin for academic use.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents covers a wide range of topics related to Tok Pisin, including an introduction, general background information (name, area, development, current situation), external history, linguistic features (phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon), analysis of a sample text, education, and media (Papua New Guinea's press, electronic media, radio and television).
What are the main objectives and key themes of the study?
The study aims to thoroughly examine Tok Pisin, focusing on its history, linguistic features, and current usage in Papua New Guinea. Key themes include the evolution of Tok Pisin from a pidgin to a creole, its linguistic structure, its role in the Papua New Guinean context, its relationship with English, and the sociolinguistic factors influencing its development.
What are the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each chapter's content. Chapter 1 introduces the growing scholarly interest in Pidgin and Creole languages and highlights the importance of Tok Pisin. Chapter 2 provides foundational information about Tok Pisin, including its name, geographical distribution, and different classifications. Further chapters delve into the linguistic features, a sample text analysis, its role in education and media.
What are the key words associated with this study?
Key words include: Tok Pisin, Pidgin, Creole, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, English, Language Contact, Language Change, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Lexicon, Sociolinguistics, Education, Media.
What is the relationship between Tok Pisin and English?
The document explores the relationship between Tok Pisin and English, its lexifier language. It examines how English has influenced the development and structure of Tok Pisin.
How is Tok Pisin used in Papua New Guinea?
The study investigates the current status of Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea, including its use in education and various media outlets, such as the press, radio, and television.
What are the different varieties of Tok Pisin?
The document discusses different varieties of Tok Pisin, including geographical variations and sociolects like Bush Pidgin, Rural Pidgin, Urban Pidgin, and Tok Masta, highlighting the influence of contact with Western culture and English on these variations.
What is the debate surrounding Tok Pisin's classification as a pidgin or creole?
The document addresses the complex and often confusing classification of Tok Pisin as either a pidgin or a creole, emphasizing the fluidity of its status and the ongoing scholarly discussion surrounding its evolution and usage.
- Quote paper
- Nina Schulte-Schmale (Author), Maike Naujoks (Author), 2008, The Language "Tok Pisin" in Papua New Guinea. English in the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/118109
