Ghanaian Pidgin English

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A language of Ghana

Alternate Names
Broken, Kroo Brofo, Kru English, Pidgin, Pidgin English
User Population

5,002,000, all users. L1 users: 2,000 (1990 UBS). L2 users: 5,000,000 (2011 V. Velupillai).

Location

Greater Accra region: scattered.

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Brought to Ghana by settlers from New World in early 16th century during colony years. Lingua franca of Accra and Southern towns in Ghana. Used as trade language, in workplace, business, politics, media, school (all domains).

Dialects

None known. Reportedly similar to Nigerian Pidgin [pcm], Cameroon Pidgin [wes], and Krio [kri].

Language Use

Informal settings: playgrounds, on campus, in bars and dorms, in family homes among younger generations. Educated urban males under age 50 are likely to use it in informal settings.

Writing

Unwritten [Qaax], Latin script is sometimes used in comics.

Other Comments

Spoken across ethnic groups.