Pigeons and Creoles: Exploring Language Contact

Pigeons and creoles are languages that result from language contact situations. The standard theory suggests that pigeons form when two groups partially learn each other's languages, and creoles develop when children acquire the pigeon as their native language. However, the process is more complex than this. Creoles often involve a mix of two languages, with one language providing the bulk of the words and the other influencing grammar. Creoles can also have unique features and pathways of development. Creole languages offer insights into how lexical material is used to create new grammatical structures.