Good Pidgin

US Army Produces a Useful Phrase Book

WE have received from Headquarters USAFISPA (whatever that may mean!) a phrase-book and voca bulary of Melanesian Pidgin. We have to acknowledge sadly, on behalf of those of us who had some diversion in debunking amateur Pidgin and Pidginists, that this is an excellent production—the best thing of its kind so far produced, and worthy of inclusion in any soldier’s pack.

No attempt has been made to phone ticise—a bewildering form of written Pidgin employed by the various mission bodies; words are written as they sound to the European ear, although the spell ing in some instances differs from the usual. “Kai-kai,” for example, is spelled ‘•kigh-kigh.”

Some of the standardised phrases have not hitherto appeared in any vocabulary.

But, after all, it is a man’s army, and they may have their uses!

The American genius for a happy phrase delights me; therefore the American translation of “Maskee master, me go long sing-sing,” as “To hell with the master; I’m going to the festival!” pre judices me in favour of American flavoured Pidgin—l prophesied long months ago that both Pidgin and American would gain by the 'presence of US troops in Melanesia, and maybe I’m right!

“Bush-kanaka,” translated as “back woods native, or hill-billy,” seems a bit wide of the mark—but is it? We all know—through the movies—how the Kellys and the McCoys go a-feudin’ away back in the wild Kentucky mountains.

The “bush-kanakas,” left to themselves, are certainly good at a-feudin’; other wise the South Pacific conception of a hill-billy might be too mixed with “The Old Oaken Bucket,” “The Rock-Candy Mountains,” wide-mouthed Judy Canova, and bearded, bootless gentlemen who, when they are not occupied bumping off their neighbours, spend their time chewing tobacco and brewing moonshine booze, to consider them in the same category as the poor old Melanesian on his native heath. We are willing to learn, but . . .!

The compilers of “Melanesian Pidgin” have done a thoroughly good job—the booklet should become part of Australian army issue, as well as American. Only a written language can become standard ised, and Pidgin has already served the Allies faithfully enough to deserve a better fate than perpetual murder and muti

lation.

J.T.