Pidgin vs. Patois — What's the Difference?

A simplified form of speech used for communication between people with different native languages.

May be perceived as improper or incorrect by outsiders, yet holds a special place in its community.

A grammatically simplified means of communication that develops between two or more groups that do not have a language in common.

A dialect used in a specific region, often distinct from the standard language.

A non-native language, acquired for specific functional purposes.

Often informal, used primarily for in-group communication.

A bridge language, often lacking formal structure and vocabulary.

A non-standard form of a language, rich in idioms and expressions unique to a community.

A transitional language which sometimes evolves into a more complex creole.

Reflects the identity and heritage of its speakers, carrying cultural significance.

A pidgin , or pidgin language, is a grammatically simplified means of communication that develops between two or more groups that do not have a language in common: typically, its vocabulary and grammar are limited and often drawn from several languages. It is most commonly employed in situations such as trade, or where both groups speak languages different from the language of the country in which they reside (but where there is no common language between the groups).

Patois (, pl. same or ) is speech or language that is considered nonstandard, although the term is not formally defined in linguistics.

A grammatically simplified form of a language, typically English, Dutch, or Portuguese, some elements of which are taken from local languages, used for communication between people not sharing a common language.

The dialect of a particular region, especially one with low status in relation to the standard language of the country

A simplified form of speech that is usually a mixture of two or more languages, has a rudimentary grammar and vocabulary, is used for communication between groups speaking different languages, and is not spoken as a first or native language. Also called contact language.

A regional dialect, especially one without a literary tradition.

(linguistics) An amalgamation of two disparate languages, used by two populations having no common language as a lingua franca to communicate with each other, lacking formalized grammar and having a small, utilitarian vocabulary and no native speakers.

Nonstandard speech.

A person's business, occupation, work, or trade (also spelt as pigeon)

The special jargon of a group; cant.

An artificial language used for trade between speakers of different languages

Variant of Patwa.

A regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard.

Any of various French or Occitan dialects spoken in France.

Creole French in the Caribbean (especially in Dominica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti).

(Jamaica) Jamaican Patois, a Jamaican creole language primarily based on English and African languages but also has influences from Spanish, Portuguese and Hindi.

Jargon or cant.

A dialect peculiar to the illiterate classes; a provincial form of speech.

A characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves);

A regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard

Pidgin languages form out of necessity, usually in situations of trade or other forms of contact between groups of people speaking different languages.

A pidgin is a simplified form of language that develops as a means of communication between groups who do not have a language in common, typically where no single language is dominant among the speakers.

Yes, when a pidgin is learned as a native language by the next generation, it can evolve into a creole, a fully developed language.

Patois refers to a non-standard language or dialect that is specific to a particular region or community, often distinct from the officially recognized language of the area.

Patois can be found in various countries, especially those with diverse linguistic backgrounds and complex colonial histories, like Jamaica and Haiti.

Patois often plays a crucial role in cultural identity as it embodies the history, traditions, and social practices of a community, serving as a marker of identity and a means of reinforcing social bonds within that community.

Pidgin languages are rarely recognized as official languages; however, in some regions, such as Papua New Guinea, Tok Pisin, a pidgin language, serves as one of the official languages alongside English and Hiri Motu.

New pidgin languages are created when people with no common language come into contact and need a means of communication, often for trade, work, or social interaction, leading to the development of a simplified language that draws elements from each group's native languages.

Patois is generally considered a dialect or a non-standard form of a language specific to a certain region or community, whereas a creole is a stable, fully developed language that has evolved from a pidgin and is spoken natively by a community.

Pidgin languages have simplified grammars because they are created spontaneously among speakers of different languages who need a way to communicate effectively but lack a common native language, leading to a reduction in grammatical complexity for ease of learning and use.