_{Sociolinguistics}

Phonological Simplicity

• Pidgins have a comparatively high degree of phonological simplicity:

(a) Pidgins avoid difficult sounds, i.e. those sounds that are phonologically highly marked.

(b) Pidgins show a simple syllable structure (consonant-vowel).

(c) Pidgins have a preference for short words, i.e. a small number of syllables per word.

(d) In pidgins tone has no phonemic status, i.e. tone is generally not used to distinguish words.

(Information taken and adapted from Sebba, 1997)