No official status has been granted to Nigerian Pidgin English in Nigeria, although some Nigerians have suggested that it would be a good candidate for national language status, since it retains the above-mentioned characteristics of solidarity and neutrality. The latter, although lacking official status, is the only language which can express a neutral Mauritian identity. Compare the linguistic situation of Mauritius Islands where English and French are the official languages, but they coexist with other very powerful community languages (Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, etc.) and Mauritian French Creole. This is very similar to other multiethnic postcolonial situations. In other words, Nigerian Pidgin English can express a belonging to Nigeria, which English, the language of the ex-colonial power, cannot.

The use of Nigerian Pidgin English can also function, in some contexts, as an act of identity when speakers need to stress their 'Nigerianness', as opposed to their ethnic group identity. The fact that it is not attached to any ethnic group makes it a very good candidate as an official lingua franca in the Federation. Indeed, using Nigerian Pidgin English is increasingly popular among young people, many writers, politicians and musicians. Nowadays the use of Nigerian Pidgin English is more widespread even among educated people and perceived as more Nigerian than English. In the past the use of Nigerian Pidgin English was linked to non-educated people and perceived by the educated ones with negative attitude.

In recent years, Nigerian Pidgin English development has been particularly evident in the big cities and ports in the south of Nigeria, where it is used among people belonging to different ethnic groups the use of Nigerian Pidgin English is strictly linked to the urbanization process. It is part of a continuum of English Pidgins and Creoles spoken other West-African countries such as Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Ghana.

The origins of Nigerian Pidgin English lie historically in trade contact between the British and local people in the seventeenth century. Nigerian Pidgin English and English are widespread linguae francae in Nigeria where more than 300 languages are spoken. Nigerian Pidgin English © Francesco Goglia

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