Pidgin English as a Vehicle for the Promotion of Peaceful Co-Existence and National Unity in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper views pidgin as a distinct language, rich, viable and capable of being used for any form of discourse, including the academic. It goes further to examine some definitions of pidgin, its attributes and origin.  Furthermore, it examines the impression and attitudes of Nigerians towards Pidgin English. Also, the paper discusses how Pidgin can be used as a vehicle for the promotion of peaceful co-existence and national unity. It enumerates some problems militating against using Pidgin as a vehicle for the promotion of peace and unity, and makes some recommendations towards ameliorating the situation. It concludes by encouraging government at all levels to strengthen Pidgin by way of developing it in order to effectively and actively performs the role of promoting peaceful co-existence and national unity in Nigeria.

The paper views pidgin as a distinct language, rich, viable and capable of being used for any form of discourse, including the academic. It goes further to examine some definitions of pidgin, its attributes and origin.  Furthermore, it examines the impression and attitudes of Nigerians towards Pidgin English. Also, the paper discusses how Pidgin can be used as a vehicle for the promotion of peaceful co-existence and national unity. It enumerates some problems militating against using Pidgin as a vehicle for the promotion of peace and unity, and makes some recommendations towards ameliorating the situation. It concludes by encouraging government at all levels to strengthen Pidgin by way of developing it in order to effectively and actively performs the role of promoting peaceful co-existence and national unity in Nigeria.