, 1873-12-14

Taking al this for granted, it is proposed to
consider the future Of that strange jargon known
as Pigeon EngliBh," language resulting from
China This language, it such It may 10 called,
derives it's name from q sories Of changes in this
word business. Tho early traders in China made
constant >lso OF this word, aud tho Cinnamon
contracted II to D"sin, a1ld then through ths
il atili retains its original meaning, and people
talk Of whatever business t1ey 1nay have in
hand as thcir 'pigeon." AL motcant,le
transactions betwoon tho Chinese and
the Europeans are carried Oh III ths
now form Of speech: Domestic servants, male
aud female, hayo to learn it to qualify them
selves for situations with the "0uter Barba-
rianH;" but tho newest and most important,
feature Of all in, that the Chinese themselves
are, to certain extont, adopting this language.
Provinces cannot understand each others dia-
leet. Tho written Mandarin character, how
ever, could be roud and understood al over
China, aud the roal Provincais used to write
what they wished to aay in this character, aud
could thos nanago to do business together: But
now, if they should both happen to know
~ Pigeon English" they uso ii Us tho moans
Of communication. A lingua-franca was
needed, aud the common necessity has supplied
tho demand. It may DO premature to eau
ginning Of one. Although facts can be expressed
by it, It Is in moBt defective condition; &c
much 30. TINT All Engiahmau, when ho Arst
reachaH China. ia very much amused at what
aeoms to him relic Of Babel II it should b
lais fate to remain in tho country he dsl.kes to
adopt 1t his sullse Of good manners makes il
listastoftll to him to speak auch jaygon, Tor il
sounds like making fool Of the purity addressed
Hore we get m evidence Of the power Of growth
Which tlis infautile speech is possessed Of,
for however reluctant any ono may bt
to speak It, be is forced by tho necoa'
aity u the case to do SO. I was only
traveller for d few months In China, but
fullnd myself obliged to acquiro Tho habit ol
speaking what Beepled to me, at tirst nonuonsi-
cAl rubbish. could not got on without it. On
my arrival I rot a Chinese servant-Beryants in
China are all called 'sboyR in fact this is ono u,
the words Of Pigeon English, and 1t is scarcely
necossary to stnte tint it il not derived from ths
Irish. 1t IL uBual to breatsfast about IL o'clock,
and 1t is customary to have some toa, tonst, aud
perhaps an egg served in your bedroom wher
YOU get m, aud before dressing. Tlo nrut
morning Expressed my wishes Oh this matter
in my usual way Of talk, and tho "boy" won't
ing, but Us ho did not como baok, ]
mnde some inqnirios Of my frionas in tho
house. They asked me what Haid to tho "boy'
aud repeated tho words M near III could re-
collect them, to tho effect that wanted somo
breakfast, ind would like it immediately. WAS
then told TINT ! might Us we'll haye talked Greek
to hlm, and that ought to have said, catchoy
gomo chow.chow chUp-chop." Chow-chow is
understood in this as something to cat; and tho
last doublo word is equivalent to 'quick-VuicE.
breakfast been q farce, 1t might have been possi-
bic TO feol that I was saying the right thing in
this way. Taat not being my "pgeon," fels
reluctant to do it; but when eating, drinking,
and all your wants arc found to depotld upon i.a
use, you soon give in; aud here il tho source ot
growth Ia tho language, md tho reason Why II
adya1.ces aud spreads in CLina.-alacms0ons
Magazine.