HOW TO PRONOUNCE
pidgin
/ˈpɪ.d͡ʒən/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:41
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What does pidgin mean?
noun
- An amalgamation of two disparate languages, used by two populations having no common language as a lingua franca to communicate with each other, lacking formalized grammar and having a small, utilitarian vocabulary and no native speakers. The speech is slow and supported by mime and gesture.
More meanings (1)
noun
- (archaic) A person's business, occupation, work, or trade (also spelt as pigeon).
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈpɪ.d͡ʒən/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
"Pidgin English," of course, merely means "business English," and has been evolved as an easy means of communication for business purposes between Europeans and Chinamen.
She tried to talk to him, partly by signs, partly in pidgin French, which, for some reason, she thought would be more comprehensible to him, and she had half a dozen phrases of English.