Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-03-07
ACoekeVed
Language 0r0ur
Fighting Men

a anese and German in anticipation of some
ing events in the near future. Down the Solomon
way the eathernecks don't need to know much
japanese just how to shoot straight which they do
many them wish they could "catchee pidgin,"
that 49, speak correct pidgin English.
This warped version of the American tongue with its
lack of formal grammar and fluctuatng and
exotic vocabulary that would make Noah Webster gasp
the principal trade language OF over oO0oOooOo per-
throughout the South Seas Islands the adjoining
territories much of Southern and Central China.
Pidgin English is the nearest thing to a working
Esperanto universal language there is and in the East
Hemisphere it is used not merely to converse with
all whites but the natives, too 1t amongst themselves
because their dialects differ
Thousands American soldiers studying pidgin
English ineny 1t has been added to the curriculum
a great American university. Only a short time ago.
pdgn English was made the official language OF New
replacing English, Dutch Chinese, German French,
Portuguese Japanese Malayan Korean and several other
species dialect Within months of its adoption ad
mnstration Strengthened out problems that
had been running for decades
great many native users of pidgn English believe
simon pure variety and would under
stand proper English The speaker pretty we'll makes up
his grammar he goes along, although there are
recognized all he needs TO know
about 200 words and perhaps three dozen stock phrases
Authorities differ origin of the term. Some
maintain that the pdgin part comes from the Chinese
word "p-chun" meaning standard accepted
The beginning of the language, some authorities
maintain goes back the days when great numbers of
traders entered China Fearful of the possible con-
SEQUENCES the Chinese anyone teach the
Chinese language to white person. The foreign devils
who were for the most part canny Scots and shrewd
Yankees countered by inventing pidgn English which
Chinese assistants mastered almost overnight and
which soon in wherever the white men traded
They pidgin English because the Americans and
the British it mostly and much of it is taken from
English but pdgn is conglomeration of every Asiatc
and South Seas tongue as well as European
Chinaman might ask you 'wantchi choa. choa ?"
meaning have you had anything to eat and, if not, do
you want to you some food" Choa. used for
warped of the Chinese word chou meaning
boiled rice The original word accurately
pronounced and spelled with final has been accepted
American slang for food
II &c pidufpE npiis
understand" Sometimes though in pdgin English,
"savvy' becomes want as You savvy number one boy
bimbyDo you want expert male servant
to prepare your food hereafter
The what side" where" (which side
city master co." "catchee. The Chinese also like to
say who man instead of simply who and this time
morning" for this morning, and to-day time" for
today. Tomorrow is "bimby day." and the future is
"bimby many day"
Down on Guadacanal the army cook no longer screams
Come and get it, Soups on Especially if there
abores to feed and he calls Come kaukau chop
chop" which means, Come eat fast"
Thanks to a working knowledge of pidgin English
uartermaser Corps there been able to accomplish
miracles and Army Intelligence easily picks up bits
of minor information which put together like g-saw
luzzlc, plenty to the General Staff and makes
.IJrohito weep in his bowl.
all know what the Igorot did to the Japs
Mrndanao but before they could
ish their mission they needed supplies cheftan made
known to American staff officer by saying
Calcium bimby plenty kati-Rau blong musRet"
Natives warned the authorities of a hidden airfed
with the words Too muchee one day walk along HIM
fella station LOOK gardcn bong engine blong n.y.
The hidden Jap airdrome was bombed TO bits that night
open the door pidgin English, becomes "MaIe'm
door adft" An envelope Pants blong chit" chit being
any bit Of paper containing writing pidgin Enelisher
say Cry cut along him. blouE top-hoiisc"
call tie headman the head the house" "Toe'
comes finger blong foot And "A typewriter Engine
blorg takee" Anything plural is two fela"
or piece"
Prdgn,is also written language now some the
greatest classics especially tho King James the
Bible have published IL.