Yabim and Kotte are taught in only a few mission It is easy to learn for both native and European it is adaptable it follows the mode of thought of the Melanesian and it is universal in the Territory.Įnglish is too difficult for the native and accessible to only a few. The advantages of Pidgin-English, however, far outweigh its disadvantages. For the Melanesian languages form a comparatively early stage in language development. But so has any Melanesian language and to no less extent. It is true that Melanesian Pidgin-English has its deficiencies and failures. But this is natural as languages and vocabularies are largely a matter of contact with knowledge and discoveries, of mental experiences, and of physical experiences. We speak of the sciences and philosophies and, to a certain extent of the trades, with their technical terms. Of course there are things outside the experience of Pidgin-English and for which there is no vocabulary. As for ambiguity-it mainly exists in the mind of the English speaking white man.
It is quite as exact as any native language and more adaptable. Pidgin-English is a most facile language, capable of embracing any subject. This is a comfortable fallacy that is to be deprecated, for Melanesian Language who declare it is limited, inadequate and given toĪmbiguity. There are others again with only a rudimentary knowledge of the The failure of the former to learn the language of the Territory. We are safe in saving that some thirty per centum of the friction between master and servant is due to Pidgin-English is not directed against the painful jargon of broken Sonorous twaddle which too many pass off as Pidgin. Is unfortunate that the antipathy and prejudice against Melanesian Judging the language on their own highly fictitious knowledge of it. Unhappily the transient tourist, learned, no doubt, in his severalĭepartments and even some of our ablest residents, castigate Pidgin-English as a hopeless,Ĭomplicated and unsatisfactory medium of expression. To learn Pidgin-English, one must approach it as one would approach language, French, German or Esperanto. It is a common barbarism to give some English words the meaning of their etymons.įor example, kill is frequently translated as "kilim," and "shove" or " Lost the meaning of their etymons, and pronunciation has changed considerably. The vocabulary is derived almost exclusively from English. It has a synoptic vocabulary of over 1,300 words and through them it is possible to translate aboutĤ,000 words-more words than the ordinary Englishman is familiar with. Pidgin-English is a true Melanesian language of I wish Captain Murphy and his book the best of luck.īASIL MORRIS, Major General, G.O.C. No doubt for Captain Murphy it was a labour of love, yet any success that the book achieves will be richly deserved. I have been informed by others that the labour involved in collecting material for the book has, over many years, occupied the all too few spare hours of a conscientious Patrol Officer.
The book might be regarded as a standard work upon what has been a most controversial subject, and it forms a useful guide for those dealing with natives in the areas where Pidgin English is the lingua franca. He shows by examples the adaptability of the language (who else would have thought of rendering one of Shakespeare's choicest morsels in Pidgin!), and wisely warns the beginner of the difference between true Pidgin English and "broken" English. Captain Murphy was one of these and has latterly performed sterling and gallant service in the immediate vicinity of the enemy.Īs a newcomer to the land where Pidgin English is spoken I find Captain Murphy's book intensely interesting. When Civil Administration ceased in New Guinea early in 1942, that fine body of men who belonged to the field staffs of the Territories was absorbed into the Australian Army and formed the backbone of the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit. Murphy has asked me to write a foreword to "The Book of Pidgin English." Pukpuk" is a large (or big fella) crocodile.Ĭaptain John J. BIKPELA does not have to be human, so a "bikpela "Big fella" as well as the given "large, big, important, In "fella" (Australianism for man or male) so BIKPELA is Same generation "etc which is correct but it's root is In the same way BARATA is given as "relative of That is correct, but the root of the word is the Australianism Translated to "break, become impaired, have an accident" etc. It might be best if some explanation is made.
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