1/1/2024 0 Comments Hello in pidgin englishPidgin English, West African Pidgin, etc. In all decency, those using the term Kamtok should always be honest enough to point out that it is not what the speakers call it and Cameroonian linguists should know when to exercise ownership and not perpetrate a falsehood in the name of academic research. The arrogance of naming a language spoken by another group of people has “colonial master” undertones to it. Linguists should not take the arrogance to name languages the way they want … that privilege belongs to the speaker of the language. I am often shocked to see Cameroonian linguists (all of whom speak Pidgin excellently) use the ghost name “Kamtok” in their research. No speaker of Pidgin in Cameroon would identify with it. It dates back to the 1970s and especially to Loreto Todd’s initial work on Cameroon. Kamtok is, strangely speaking, a term coined by linguists to refer to Cameroon Pidgin English. I found a website that has some good info: The structure of both pidgins is very similar. Much of it sounds like the pidgin spoken in Nigeria (minus lots of words and phrases that are unique to each). The name has been around for a very long time but not all people are aware of it, as the conversation with your friend shows. Tweet 8 Responses to “Greetings in Cameroonian Pidgin English” She’s kindly sent us many songs from Cameroon to share on Mama Lisa’s World. Nambangi works with the Minnesota African Women’s Association. "Kam tok" is pidgin English for "Come and Talk" or "come and say it", come and tell (us, me, etc). If there is something like "Kamtok" then it is a new coinage. I also asked Nyango if Cameroonian Pidgin English is called Kamtok (which I read online). "Hi" is becoming a common greeting due to the influence of American television programs and Nollywood (Nigerian) movies. ![]() They will probably tell you if they are not well if they are familiar with you. ![]() By the way, the response to "How na?" is "Ah fine" or "Ah dey" which is I am well, or I am okay. Most people do go around saying "Hi" and "Hello" these days even if they speak only Pidgin English. A lot more will say: "Good morning" or what ever the time of day is. Most people will greet you in pidgin with "How na?" which is actually "How now?" and actually means: "How are you?" "What’s up?". I asked Nyango how to say “hi” in Cameroonian Pidgin English.
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