Pidgin, Cameroon
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A language of Cameroon
12,000,000 (Ayafor and Green 2017), all users.
Primarily South West and North West regions; Centre and Littoral regions; Douala, Yaoundé, and other urban centers.
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.
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].
Very negative attitudes towards its possible use in schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2002.


Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.