The role of Pijin in modern Solomon Islands

What is pidgin?

“A grammatically simplified form of a language, used for communication between people not sharing a common language.” – Online dictionary

Solomons Pijin

Specifically, Solomons pijin is the language most widely spoken throughout the Solomon Islands, however it is not recognised as the official language.

Can anyone guess what is?

Solomons Pijin – David and Goliath

Pijin and creolization

Pijin is currently undergoing a process of ‘creolization’.Creolization is when a simplified language becomes a stable language, and performs in ways never expected.

Pijin and English

Pijin is an ‘English-based creole’English has provided basis for the lexicon used in pijin, all along.

Stepping-stones

1. Education: to inculcate citizens with a sense of shared identity and civic responsibility.

2. Pop culture: the provide shared experiences and cultural references.

3. Pijin: the adoption of Pijin as the national language.

National identity?

‘Holi Baebol’

At the 30th Anniversary of Independence Day celebration

“ T H E D I S P L AY O F C O P I E S O F T H E B I B L E I N O U R O W N L A N G UA G E S R E M I N D S U S O F T H E

I M P O RTA N C E O F O U R L O C A L L A N G UA G E S A N D T H E D I V E R S E , Y E T R I C H H E R I TA G E W E H AV E . I T I S A

P I C T U R E O F U N I T Y I N T H E M I D S T O F D I V E R S I T Y ” .

“ I N R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E S I G N I F I C A N C E O F T H E P E R M A N E N T D I S P L AY O F T H E C E R E M O N I A L C A N O E

A N D A P I J I N B I B L E I N T H E L O B BY O F T H E PA R L I A M E N T H O U S E A S T H I S I S A N I M P O RTA N T

R E M I N D E R T O A L L W H O E N T E R T H AT G O D ’ S W O R D A N D S TA N D A R D A R E T H E M A I N P R I N C I P L E S BY W H I C H O U R C O U N T RY ’ S L E A D E R T O F O L L O W ” .

Speech by invited guest speaker Rt. Honourable Sir Peter Kenilorea

(National Parliament of Solomon Islands. 2007)

Scripture Application & Leadership Training (S.A.L.T)

PREA GO LONG DADI (Lord’s Prayer)

DADI blong mifala long heven,

    nem blong iu nao hemi mas stap bikfala.

Iu mekem kam laef wea iu nao iu King ovarem.

Iu mekem wanem iu wandem nomoa fo hapen long disfala wol, olsem wea

hemi hapen long heven.

Iu givim kam kaikai wea hemi fitim mifala fo tude.

Iu fogivim mifala long olketa ravis samting wea mifala duim, olem mifala tu

fogivim olketa hu i duim olketa ravis samting long mifala.

Iu no letem enikaen samting kam fo traem mifala,

    bat sevem mifala from poao blong Satan.

Iu nomoa iu king,

    an iu nomoa garem evri paoa

    an saen blong paoa wea hemi stap olowe. Letem hem olsem nao. (Amen.)

(Lee, 2011)

Bibliography/References

-C.I.A. (2011, September 27). Solomon Islands. Retrieved October 4, 2011, from CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bp.htm

-Gegeo, D., & Watson-Gegeo, K. (1991). The Impact of Church Affiliation on Language Use in Kwara'ae (Solomon Islands). Language in Society , 533-555

-Holi Baebol : wetem Diutrokanon. (2008). Nabua: Bible Society of the South Pacific-Jourdan, C. (2000). Stepping-Stones to National Consciousness: The Solomon Islands Case. In

R. Foster, Nation Making: Emergent Identities in Post-Colonial Melanesia (pp. 127-149). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press

-Lee, E. W. (2011, April 16). Holi Komiunion: A Liturgy for Melanesia in Solomon Islands Pijin (1999). Retrieved 19 October, 2011, from Society of Archbishop Justus: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/Melanesia/SI_pijin_hc.html

-LiPuma, E. 1997. ‘History, Identity and Encompassment: Nation‐Making in the Solomon Islands’. Identities 4(2): 213-244

-National Parliament of Solomon Islands. 2007. ‘Pijin Bible Found permanent home in Parliament’.

-Paligaru, & Clement. (2008, October 30). God speaks Pijin. Retrieved September 20, 2011, from Australia Network - Pacific Pulse: http://australianetwork.com/pacificpulse/stories/2405840.htm

-Scripture Application & Leadership Training (S.A.L.T) Blog. 2008. ‘Solomon Islands S.A.L.T’.-Tryon, D. T. and Charpentier, J. M. 2004. Trends in Linguistics- Pacific pidgins and creoles:

origins, growth and development-Wesley-Smith, T. (2007). The Limits of Self-Determination in Oceania. Social and Economic

Studies , 182-208.