Alternate Names: Melanesian English, Neomelanesian, New Guinea Pidgin English, Pidgin, Pisin
Dialects: Dialect differences between lowlands, highlands, and islands. Highlands lexicon has more English , influence (Holm, 1989).
Status Notes: De facto language of national identity.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 122,000 (2004 SIL). 50,000 monolinguals. L2 users: 4,000,000.
Language Use: L1 of some people in mixed urban areas. Used between speakers of different languages. Most frequently used language in Parliament and commerce. Where it is L1, it is passed on to children by parents. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 40%–45%. Newspapers. New media. Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1989.
Spoken In: Papua New Guinea
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Papua New Guinea
Other Comments: Christian, traditional religion.