Suffixes, prefixes, or even intonations are used to depict either sarcasm, contempt, gratitude, and other necessary forms of emotions. The Nigerian Pidgin English which is also known for short as ‘pidgin or ‘broken’ possesses a form of uniqueness that is obtained from the emotions used in saying the words. Words like, “sabi” (to know) and “pikin” (child), are still being used in the same context as their Portuguese meaning. More so, due to the high level of influence from the Portuguese, remnants of their language still exist in the Nigerian Pidgin English to date. However, each group began to add a piece of their ethnicity to it and it was a welcomed idea by the people hence it was made popular and accepted in the various regions of Nigeria. The language eventually remained after the foreigners departed as the natives continued to use it as a form of communication for both trade and religious purposes. At the time, it was the trade language amongst the Portuguese merchants and Nigerians. It bears its origin to as far back as the 17th century, in trade contact between the British and the locals. Pidgin English is a commonly used language in Nigeria that helps break the communication barrier between several ethnic groups and languages. So, if you find yourself in Nigeria or with Nigerians, to thrill them a little and show your acceptance of togetherness, just tell them, “I dey with you!” The Unique Traits Of The Nigerian Pidgin English & Its Origin It simply means “The situation was unbelievable”. Usage & Meaning: This phrase is used when someone is explaining something he or she has witnessed. Usage & Meaning: It is used for showing rigidity or firmness and it means “Nothing is happening or nothing is going to happen” 25. Its literal meaning ‘There is a problem’. Usage & Meaning: This is an exclamation that is used to express surprise when something happens. You can add “na” to it for emphasis, that is you can say, You be my guy na. Usage & Meaning: This expression is used to address a You are my friend It simply means the “This story does not sound true”. Usage & Meaning: This pidgin expression can be used when one is not satisfied with the details of a story. It literally means “I can’t or it’s beyond me” 21.
Usage & Meaning: This phrase is used to express that a situation is beyond your control or that you are incapable of doing something. Usage & Meaning: This pidgin phrase is used to show ownership of something. It means “You want to trick or cheat me” 19. Usage & Meaning: This expression can be used to tell someone that they are about to play a smart one on you. You can add ‘abeg’ or ‘biko’ to show displeasure or as a form of a plea that is, I no sabi abeg, or Abeg, i no sabi. Usage & Meaning: The phrase is used to state your stance in a situation or when asked a question and it means “I don’t know” or “I have no idea”. Usage & Meaning: This pidgin phrase is usually used to address a close friend and its literal meaning is “You are my close friend” 17. Its literal meaning is “Let’s give it a try” or “Let’s do it” 16. Usage & Meaning: This statement is usually used when someone wants to venture into something or carry out a task. We have compiled a very comprehensive list of 25 important pidgin slangs you must know to help you with this:
Like all other languages, speaking the Nigerian Pidgin English at first may seem difficult and even sound funny, but with background knowledge in the English language and a bit of dedication, you would be sure to blend in among Nigerians anywhere in the world if you master the pidgin English. 25 Nigerian Pidgin Phrases & Their Meaning This is largely due to the fact that the language is not void of a piece of diversity as each of the major ethnic groups has a piece of input to their use of the Nigerian Pidgin English. Outside the borders of Nigeria, Pidgin English also stands out to Nigerians all over the world as it has a way of reminding them of the rich cultural heritage that they possess and the intrinsic unity the people live by. In other words, Nigerians have found what we can call a lingua franca for themselves and that is no other than the Nigerian Pidgin English. The great people of Nigeria, with a rich heritage of over 250 ethnic groups and more than 521 languages, have somehow found a common ground, where each person can be heard clearly when conversing with his neighbor and still retain their native tongue.