Pidgin Bantu

A language of South Africa

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Basic Zulu, Fanagoloi, Isilololo, Isipiki, Lololo, Piki, Silunguboi, “Fanagalo” (pej.), “Fanakalo” (pej.), “Fanekolo” (pej.), “Isikula” (pej.)

Population

No known L1 speakers in South Africa. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Total users in all countries: 5,100 (as L1: 0; as L2: 5,100).

Location

Gauteng province: suburban Johannesburg and mining areas.

Language Status

9 (Second language only).

Classification

Pidgin, Zulu based

Dialects

Zambia dialect is called Cikabanga; in Zimbabwe, it is called, Chilapalapa. Influenced by Shona [sna] in Zimbabwe. About 70% of the vocabulary in Zimbabwe comes from Zulu [zul], 24% from English [eng], 6% from Afrikaans [afr]. Influenced by Bemba [bem] in Zambia. Lexical similarity: 70% with Zulu [zul], 24% with English [eng], 6% with Afrikaans [afr].

Language Use

Used widely in towns and gold, diamond, coal, and copper mining areas.

Language Development

Dictionary.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Pidgin Bantu

Other Comments

Originated in 19th century. “Fanagalo” and most or all other names are pejorative.

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Zambia

Language namePidgin Bantu

Population Full

5,100 in Zambia, all users. L1 users: No known L1 speakers in Zambia. L2 users: 5,100 (2006). Ethnic population: No ethnic community.

Location

Widely dispersed, towns and mining areas.

Alternate Names

Basic Zulu, Chikabanga, Isilololo, Isipiki, Lololo, Piki, “Fanagalo” (pej.), “Fanakalo” (pej.), “Fanekolo” (pej.), “Isikula” (pej.)

Dialects

Cikabanga.

Status

9 (Second language only).

Language Use

Negative attitudes.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Rejected by most Africans because it was imported from Zimbabwe and South Africa by Europeans who did not want Africans to learn English (Adler 1977).

View other languages of Zambia

Zimbabwe

Language namePidgin Bantu

Population Full

No known L1 speakers in Zimbabwe. Ethnic population: No ethnic community.

Location

Mashonaland Central province; widespread in Shona speaking areas, mining camps, and urban centers.

Alternate Names

Isilololo, Isipiki, Lololo, Piki, “Fanagalo” (pej.), “Fanakalo” (pej.), “Fanekolo” (pej.), “Isikula” (pej.)

Dialects

Chilapalapa.

Status

9 (Second language only).

Language Use

Used widely in towns and mining areas.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Zimbabwe

Ethnologue

Pidgin Bantu

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A language of South Africa

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