Lingua Francas, Pidgins, and Creoles

From: Gumperz, J. (1983). Sociolinguistics: An introduction to language and society. New York: Penguin Books. (pp. 157, 179-182)

A lingua franca is a language which is used as a means of communication among people who have no native language in common.

A pidgin language is a lingua franca which has no native speakers.

Creole languages are pidgins that have acquired native speakers.
 
 
 

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Last updated: July 30, 2002