A pidgin language is?

• A. A simplified language that has a limited vocabulary and few grammar rules.
• B. A fully developed language with complex grammar
• C. A sign language
• D. An extinct language

Answer: (A)

Pidgin languages arise when people who don’t share a common language need to communicate and thus create a simplified means of communication. They feature a limited vocabulary and simplified grammar, enough to get the job done for everyday interactions or trade. Because of this pared-down structure, they aren’t fully developed languages with rich grammar and extensive lexicon. They’re also not sign languages, which are natural languages with their own complex grammar expressed through gesture, nor are they extinct languages. In some cases, a pidgin can become a creole if it is learned as a native language by children, but at the pidgin stage its defining trait is simplicity and functional use.