Published Article

ABSTRACT

This study was to assess the effect of pidgin on student’s fluency in English language. Pidgin

English was originally a trade language jargon developed in the 19th century, but now

commonly and loosely used to mean any kind of ‘broken’ or ‘native’ version of the English

language. It is generally learned as a second language and is used for communication among

people who speak different languages. Some Pidgins originated as a language that is made up of

foreign language and the local language. It was originated as a result of the need for

communication among people living in towns and cities from different ethnic groups who have

no common language. There are just two reasons for the development of Pidgin and they are: a

dire need of the sailors to communicate with the slaves and since they didn't understand their

local languages they had to use Pidgin. The other reason was that the slaves needed pidgin to

contact and interact among themselves. Pidgin English "then spread all over the world, pursuing

sailors and shipping lanes. The study concluded that Pidgin English is indeed a language with

unique characteristics; it can be used by everyone without educational disparity. Finally, the

study concluded that pidgin has remarkable effect on student’s fluency in English. The study

recommended that English language teachers should be proficient in oral and written English

language so that learners can emulate them as models. This is true because learners copy the

language their teachers use in class, meaning that what students use and write in class is a

replica of what they hear and see in class.

KEYWORDS: Pidgin, English, Student, Fluency, English Language, Tertiary and

Institution