Considerazioni generali sui pidgin e sulle lingue creole

A pidgin is a contact language that arises in situations where two linguistic communities with no language in common need a way to communicate with each other. In these circumstances, the jargon that arises usually borrows lexicon and structures from both languages involved. As the jargon is spoken throughout the generations, it undergoes a process of development which eventually leads to the formation of a more stabilized variety, called a "creole". After a brief explanation of this process of linguistic evolution, I will show the different hypotheses concerning the birth and development of these languages. I will then explain in detail some of the most widespread and relevant features of these languages regarding the areas of lexicon, phonology and syntax.