Summary:
Pidgins and creoles have always attracted a great deal of interest - academic and otherwise - but in recent decades they have become increasingly important as a field of linguistic inquiry. Placing pidgins and creoles in the wider setting of linguistic theory, this book bridges the gap between introductory material and primary material, revising students' knowledge of the field as well as acquainting them with key areas of debate in pidgin and creole studies. The author provides a carefully balanced introduction to theoretical aspects of creolistics as well as an even-handed discussion of influences on pidgins and creoles which is well illustrated with rare examples of longer texts.
- First textbook to provide a readable and engaging introduction to theoretical aspects of pidgins and creole linguistics
- Gives and unbiased discussion of the social and political background
- Written in a lively, accessible way
Reviews:
Singh's work is an excellent introduction to the field of pidgins and creoles.
Journal of Sociolinguistics
Singh's book is very readable.
The Carrier Pidgin
The book of Ishtla Singh is a surprise as one hears the voice of a Creole speaking scholar and discovers the presentation of known material from an entirely new point of view, that of the Creole speaker. I am sure that this book will encourage students to major in Pidgin and Creole studies.
Elena Perekhvalskaya Milkova, St. Petersburg Unive
Singh's book is an excellent introductory textbook written in a very readable style from a native speaker's perspective.
Year's Work in English Studies