3/1/2023 0 Comments Liberian pidgin english![]() To further distinguish between LPE and VLE, Singler (1997) notes that in LPE (which he calls KPE in later works) does not have any kind of tense marking, in VLE there is such tense marking, though this is in itself on a continuum within VLE and differs from that of Standard Liberian English (which is closer to what one would describe as “American” English).Īll this is undoubtedly confusing for an untrained linguist, like myself. In this case “na” and “fini” correspond to “have completed” (example: John fini eat the bread standard- John has eaten the bread). A basic difference between VLE and LPE is that in VLE gender distinction is commonly observed, though similar to LPE non-standard auxiliaries are used (e.g. In several articles this difference is in part attributed to schooling (as noted above) but it is also commonly associated with location, particularly an urban rural divide (Singler, 1997). Though he notes that even within VLE there are acrolect, mesolect, and basilect varieties. Singler in journal articles (instead of learning manuals, like the Peace Corps, 1981 manual), describes VLE as mesolect (an intermediate dialect) and LPE as a basilect (less prestigious), Standard Liberian English is described as a acrolect (most prestigious dialect). It is often used by those with some form of schooling and who have a grown-up speaking English. Ultimately, it is important to understand that differences in varieties are not bounded and are artificial.Īccording to Singler (1981) VLE is a more “standard-like” variety compared to that of LPE. It is the linguist who often identifies these different varieties (to complicate things further, Singler states that VLE is understood as Liberian English in Liberia, yet Singler rejects promoting this as it wrongly implies that the other varieties are not Liberian) (p.227). Again, it is important to note that these varieties are seen on a continuum and as Singler (1997) explains these different varieties are often understood simply as English by Liberians (p.206). ![]() Last post was on Liberian Pidgin English which is considered by Singler (1981) as the most “pidginized” variety of Liberian English. ![]() This is the third lesson on a variety of Liberian English (Koloqua). Varieties- Liberian Vernacular English or Vernacular Liberian English(VLE) ![]()
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