Pidgin, Cameroon

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A language of Cameroon

Alternate Names
CPE, Cameroon Creole, Cameroon Creole English, Cameroonian Creole, Kamtok, Wes Cos, “Bush English” (pej.)
Autonym
Pidgin
User Population

12,000,000 (Ayafor and Green 2017), all users.

Location

Primarily South West and North West regions; Centre and Littoral regions; Douala, Yaoundé, and other urban centers.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Originated along the West Coast of Africa from Sierra Leone through Nigeria to Cameroon around 1800 and was used as a trade language between 1800 and 1884. Later used in market, prisons, playground, school campuses, and political campaigns. Now the most widespread lingua franca in Cameroon, used by about half the population (Todd and Mühlhäusler 1978). Also used in spoken media.

Dialects

Reportedly similar to Krio [kri] of Sierra Leone and Pidgin English of various West African countries; probably an offshoot of 19th century Krio. Also similar to Sranan Tongo [srn] (Todd and Mühlhäusler 1978). Dialect variations.

Language Use

Growing number of L1 speakers. Most also use English [eng], especially since English is the language of education and government in the entire anglophone region, where Cameroon Pidgin is widely used. Used as L2 by Adamawa Fulfulde [fub], Aghem [agq], Ajumbu [muc], Akoose [bss], Akum [aku], Atong [ato], Awing [azo], Babanki [bbk], Bafanji [bfj], Bafut [bfd], Balo [bqo], Bamali [bbq], Bambalang [bmo], Bambili-Bambui [baw], Bamenyam [bce], Bamukumbit [bqt], Bamun [bax], Bamunka [bvm], Bangolan [bgj], Bankon [abb], Barombi [bbi], Basaa [bas], Bassossi [bsi], Beba [bfp], Beezen [bnz], Befang [bby], Bubia [bbx], Bulu [bum], Bum [bmv], Busam [bxs], Caka [ckx], Cameroon Mambila [mcu], Chung [cnq], Denya [anv], Duala [dua], Ejagham [etu], Eman [emn], Esimbi [ags], Evant [bzz], Fang [fak], Fe’fe’ [fmp], Ghomálá’ [bbj], Iceve-Maci [bec], Ipulo [ass], Isu [isu], Isu [szv], Iyive [uiv], Jukun Takum [jbu], Kemedzung [dmo], Kendem [kvm], Kenswei Nsei [ndb], Kenyang [ken], Kom [bkm], Koshin [kid], Kuk [kfn], Kung [kfl], Kutep [kub], Kwaja [kdz], Laimbue [lmx], Lamnso’ [lns], Lidzonka [add], Limbum [lmp], Mbessa [emz], Mbo [mbo], Mbo’ [mtk], Mbororo Fulfulde [fuv], Mbuk [bpc], Medumba [byv], Mendankwe-Nkwen [mfd], Mengaka [xmg], Menka [mea], Mesaka [iyo], Meta’ [mgo], Mfumte [nfu], Mokpwe [bri], Mubako [muo], Mundabli [boe], Mungaka [mhk], Mungbam [mij], Naami [bzv], Naki [mff], Nchane [ncr], Ngamambo [nbv], Ngemba [nge], Ngie [ngj], Ngiemboon [nnh], Ngomba [jgo], Ngombale [nla], Ngwe [nwe], Njen [njj], Noone [nhu], Northwest Gbaya [gya], Oku [oku], Oroko [bdu], Osatu [ost], Pere [pfe], Pinyin [pny], Sari [asj], Supapya [bbw], Tigon Mbembe [nza], Tuotomb [ttf], Vengo [bav], Weh [weh], Wushi [bse], Yamba [yam], Yemba [ybb], Yukuben [ybl], Zhoa [zhw].

Language Development

Very negative attitudes towards its possible use in schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2002.

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.