Pijin

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A language of Solomon Islands

ISO 639-3
pis
Alternate Names
Neo-Solomonic, Solomons Pidgin
Autonym
Pijin
User Population

564,000, all users. L1 users: 34,000 (2012 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 530,000 (2019).

Location

Widespread.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Originated on the sugar cane plantations in Queensland, Australia between 1863 and 1906; lingua franca spoken between Kanakas (Melanesian workers) and European overseers. In 1904, at end of labor trade period, repatriated Solomon Islanders brought pidgin to the Solomon Islands. Widely spoken by majority of population.

Classification
Creole, English based, Pacific
Dialects

Urban Pidgin. Basic vocabulary reportedly more similar to standard English [eng] than Tok Pisin [tpi] of Papua New Guinea is. Grammar shows Melanesian features. Historically related to Tok Pisin and Bislama [bis] of Vanuatu. Intelligibility of Bislama [bis] quite high.

Language Use

Many L1 speakers in the capital city, Honiara, are younger people, some of them well educated, who have developed their own way of speaking Pijin that is very fluid (2020 C. Jourdan). Creolization in progress. Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Äiwoo [nfl], Amba [utp], Asumboa [aua], Bilua [blb], Bughotu [bgt], Cheke Holo [mrn], Duke [nke], Engdewu [ngr], Fataleka [far], Hoava [hoa], Kusaghe [ksg], Lovono [vnk], Nalögo [nlz], Natügu [ntu], Noipä [npx], Savosavo [svs], Sikaiana [sky], Tanema [tnx], Teanu [tkw], To’abaita [mlu], Touo [tqu], Vaeakau-Taumako [piv].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2008.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pijin
Writing

Latin script [Latn].