"PIDGIN" ENGLISH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19315, 4 May 1937, Page 3

"PIDGIN" ENGLISH

USED FOR HYMNS. CHANGES IN THE ISLANDS SYDNEY, April 7. In the Anglican diocese of Polynesia ami Papua prayers have been offered for "gay dogs of the village." The Rev. C. W. Whoiiston-Aston said so nl- the Australian Missionary Conference yesterday. "Recently we discovered that some, of the words we used in the Vsedauau language possess a different meaning to that, of 20 years ago." he said. "For instance, the word 'laralaraaga,' which meant attendant or aide-de-camp to- a chief, now means a real "gay dog' of the larrikin type in a village who stays out late at night and causes trouble-. - "We have been praying made real "gay dogs' of the, village."

Pacific Islanders are now taught hymns in "pidgin" English. The chairman, the Rev. J. W. Burton- produced the "Melodist- Him Jink," printed in

"pidgin" Knglish. containing the Lord's Prayer and certain hymns translated for use'in mission services held for indentured labourers.

A literal translation from one hymn, "Lead Kindly 'fright," said Mr. Burton, was : -

Along this road me walk-about. Many holes: stop me. Me 'fraid too much me fall down along him (the road). You helpim me Suppose von me two foliar go one time. Me no can fall; all same me go along da v.

The Rev. C. W. Whonslon-Asfon said the natives were taught not to speak

"pidgin" Knglish. In a Court recently the magistrate spoke to a native priest in "pidgin 1 ' Knglish. The priest did not answer. "Are you not going to answer?"' asked the magistrate, the priest replied : "1 hiive been taught that. 1 should speak two languages; one is pure English and the'other is my own language." The report submitted to the confer-, ence stated that "pidgin" English was a"weird and wonderful jargon."

The report added : "A Bishop was described in 'pidgin' English as Number One. Topside. Heavenlee Walkeo Man" : a saw, "Brother belong tomahawk, he come he go" ; and a piano, "Bolus (hois.) suppose you tight bin) he erv."