It gradually spread across other parts of West African colonies as a useful trade language, particularly among local ethnic groups who spoke different languages. The West African Pidgin English, also known as the Guinea Coast Creole English or Broken English, originated during the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the late 17th and 18th centuries where it served as a language of communication between the British slave merchants and local African traders. By the time you to Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Liberia, you are speaking to millions and millions across this region.” It is spoken by 75 million people in Nigeria alone. “Pidgin is a real language of opportunity across the region, spoken by millions across the West and Central African region. “We are really excited that this is the first fully digital service that the BBC is offering in Africa and it is a really exciting opportunity for us,” Bilkisu Labaran, the BBC Nigeria’s Editorial Lead, said in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES.

Bbc pidgin english