Welcome to pidgin media, today we're going to learn how to speak pidgin English fluently.
Speaking Pidgin, especially Nigerian Pidgin or other variants, is all about getting familiar with the structure and some common phrases used. Here’s a step-by-step guide for beginners:
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1. First, What Pidgin Is?
Nigerian Pidgin is a simplified language that evolves to help people from different linguistic backgrounds communicate.
It combines elements of English with local languages such as Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and other languages. so its vocabulary are often local and are not available in any dictionary. It's also good to note that pidgin works best in a friendly conversation or social media chats and not advisable to use in formal writings.
So start learning pidgin, get close to people who are familiar with and are using it frequently. You know, this language is not taught in schools so it's education is only via orality within the society.
2. Secondly, start byLearn Common Phrases
Start with some simple conversational phrases e.g greetings.
Greetings:
How you dey or how far? Meaning: How are you?
I dey = I'm fine.
Start with simple Introductions:
Wetin be your name? = What’s your name?
My name na..." = My name is...
Goodbyes:
Bye-bye or We go see = Goodby.
3. Try to know it simplified tenses:
Knowing these tense forms would help you when you are talking about present situation, later or the future.
Present: I dey go = I am going.
Past: I don go = I have gone.
Future: I go go = I will go.
Here's another example:
Present tense:
I dey come, meaning I'm coming.
Past tense:
I don come, meaning I've come.
Future tense:
I go come, meaning I will come.
From the above example, you might have noticed that dey is used to talk about present tense, 'don' is used to describe the past, and go meaning will is used to describe the future.
4. Expand Vocabulary gradually
Start learning Common verbs and phrases, if you really want to speak pidgin English freely eg :
Chop = Eat
Waka = Walk
Carry = Bring/take
Get familiar with Everyday words such as:
Pikin= Child
Palava = Trouble
Hustle = Work hard
5. Practice pidgin Tone and Slang
Pidgin has a unique rhythm and intonation. Listen to native speakers to pick up the tone. For instance, if you listen to a Nigerian who themselves street, would notice some good rhymes from their vibes. Learn slang and expressions for a natural flow:
E no concern me = It’s not my business.
Abeg = Please.
Wetin dey happen? = What’s happening?
6. Listen and Mimic on radio and televisions
Watch Pidgin movies, listen to Nigerian Pidgin radio, or follow content creators online. For instance, here on pidgin media we have a delegate radio that uses pidgin frequently.
Repeat what you hear to improve pronunciation and fluency.
7. Engage with Native Speakers in a conversation or social media chats
Speak with friends or join communities where Pidgin is spoken, you can find them on YouTube Facebook and Twitter. Also app like nkenne can help you.
Don’t worry about mistakes; Pidgin is flexible, moreover you're not writing exam or going for job interview.
8. Finally Stay Consistent
We all know that practice made perfection. So Practice daily by incorporating Pidgin into casual conversations.
Mix it with English until you feel confident speaking fluently.
