Creole

From KneeQuickie

A creole is language derived from a pidgin which has gained native speakers and thus changed to accommodate the needs of a fully functional language. Though generally more regular than typical languages, creoles are usually no less capable of expressing complex ideas.

Characteristics

Generally speaking, creoles tend toward simple phonology, rudimentary morphology, and a great emphasis on syntax. SOV word order predominates due to the need to distinguish subject and object without case endings and without them occurring adjacent to each other.

Famous creoles

Among the most well-known creoles is Tok Pisin, spoken in Papua New Guinea.

Additionally, some have hypothesized English to be a creole of Germanic and Norman origin. This idea has not met with much acceptance, however, and linguists generally argue that the time frame of the Norman invasion and irregularities of English morphology rule out creolization.

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