How Pidgin English became the voice of international media in West Africa



By Yomi Kazeem in Lagos, September 6, 2018

As global media brands push to expand their reach and audience, Pidgin English—a language spoken by millions across West Africa—is gaining currency.

The language, a mix of English, words from local languages and a range of street slang depending on which country you're in, has some of its roots in the trans-Atlantic slave trade: it is believed to have developed as a way for foreign merchants to communicate with locals in West Africa at the time.

Additional story at: Quartz Africa: https://qz.com/africa/1349143/why-pidgin-english-is-the-new-cool-for-foreign-media-in-west-africa/

Subscribe to receive free email updates: