Chinese Pidgin English

A language of Nauru

ISO 639: cpi
Alternate Names: China Coast Pidgin, Melanesian-Chinese Mixed Pidgin English
Population: Several thousand speakers, spoken by most in Nauru (Wurm 2007).
Location:: Scattered.
Language Status: 6b* (Threatened).
Classification: Pidgin, English based, Pacific
Language Use: Beginning to be superseded by English [eng]. Commercial use, mainly in Chinese-run trade stores and restaurants.
Other Comments: Mixture of Melanesian and a Chinese type of pidgin English. In spite of low social status, it remains a viable everyday language in Nauru.

Location: Scattered.