Page Type: languagePidgin, Cameroon | Ethnologue

WES ISO 639-3

Pidgin, Cameroon

Pidgin Autonym

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639
wes
Alternate Names
CPE, Cameroon Creole, Cameroon Creole English, Cameroonian Creole, Kamtok, Wes Cos, “Bush English” (pej.)
Autonym
Pidgin
Population
12,000,000 (Ayafor and Green 2017), all users.
Location:
Primarily South West and North West regions; Centre and Littoral regions; Douala, Yaoundé, and other urban centers.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Originated along the West Coast of Africa from Sierra Leone through Nigeria to Cameroon around 1800 and was used as a trade language between 1800 and 1884. Later used in market, prisons, playground, school campuses, and political campaigns. Now the most widespread lingua franca in Cameroon, used by about half the population (Todd and Mühlhäusler 1978). Also used in spoken media.
Classification
Creole, English based, Atlantic, Krio
Dialects
Reportedly similar to Krio [kri] of Sierra Leone and Pidgin English of various West African countries; probably an offshoot of 19th century Krio. Also similar to Sranan Tongo [srn] (Todd and Mühlhäusler 1978). Dialect variations.
Language Use
Growing number of L1 speakers. Most also use English [eng], especially since English is the language of education and government in the entire anglophone region, where Cameroon Pidgin is widely used. Used as L2 by Adamawa Fulfulde [fub], Aghem [agq], Ajumbu [muc], Akoose [bss], Akum [aku], Babanki [bbk], Bafanji [bfj], Bafut [bfd], Balo [bqo], Bamali [bbq], Bambalang [bmo], Bambili-Bambui [baw], Bamenyam [bce], Bamukumbit [bqt], Bamun [bax], Bamunka [bvm], Bangolan [bgj], Bankon [abb], Barombi [bbi], Basaa [bas], Beezen [bnz], Bubia [bbx], Bulu [bum], Bum [bmv], Caka [ckx], Chungmboko [cug], Denya [anv], Duala [dua], Ejagham [etu], Eman [emn], Esimbi [ags], Evant [bzz], Fang [fak], Fe’fe’ [fmp], Ghomálá’ [bbj], Iceve-Maci [bec], Ipulo [ass], Isu [isu], Isu [szv], Iyive [uiv], Kemedzung [dmo], Kendem [kvm], Kenswei Nsei [ndb], Kenyang [ken], Kom [bkm], Koshin [kid], Kung [kfl], Kutep [kub], Lamnso’ [lns], Limbum [lmp], Mbessa [emz], Mbo [mbo], Mbororo Fulfulde [fuv], Medumba [byv], Mengaka [xmg], Mesaka [iyo], Meta’ [mgo], Mokpwe [bri], Mubako [muo], Mundabli [boe], Mungaka [mhk], Mungbam [mij], Naami [bzv], Naki [mff], Nchane [ncr], Ngamambo [nbv], Ngemba [nge], Ngiemboon [nnh], Ngomba [jgo], Ngombale [nla], Ngwe [nwe], Njen [njj], Noone [nhu], Northwest Gbaya [gya], Oku [oku], Oroko [bdu], Osatu [ost], Pere [pfe], Pinyin [pny], Sari [asj], Supapya [bbw], Tigon Mbembe [nza], Tuotomb [ttf], Vengo [bav], Weh [weh], Wushi [bse], Yamba [yam], Yemba [ybb], Yukuben [ybl].
Language Development
Very negative attitudes towards its possible use in schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2002.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pidgin, Cameroon
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Christian, Muslim, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Primarily South West and North West regions; Centre and Littoral regions; Douala, Yaoundé, and other urban centers.