Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin

Shuhang Tang

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin

Shuhang Tang^*

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 13, Issue 6)

Received: 7 October 2025 Accepted: 19 October 2025 Published: 7 November 2025

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Solomon Islands is not an English-speaking country but a Pijin-speaking one. The Pijin spoken in this country belongs to Melanesia Pijin circle within which there are the other Pijins spoken in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. By means of literature reading and qualitative study, Solomon Islands Pijin (SIP) turns out to be from the colonial historical culture, cross-linguistic contact environment, necessary demand for temporary communication and cognitive economy principle. Based on British English, SIP demonstrates a common effort of a smooth communicative demand and diverse dialects. Generally, lexical choice and syntactic structure conform to the basic rules of British English to be more concise, fragmented and straightforward, which is easy to memorize, understand and use. Specifically, the lexicon is primarily made certain transformation on the basis of the phonetics, morphology, and semantics of English lexicon, together with suffixation and special function words. The syntax is mostly based on the local dialects in the aspects of the word order, double subject, specific degree modifier, infinitive structure, “moa” and “nomoa”, and replacement of the original modal verbs. With the development of SIP, the different written forms are employed to convey the message more concisely and effectively. SIP is a lingua franca rooted in local social and historical culture that Solomon Islanders live by being a symbol of language identity for Solomon Islands.

Published in	International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11
Page(s)	212-218
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Solomon Islands Pijin, Lexical Variant, Sentence Pattern, Function

References

[1]	Baptista, M. A Review of Creolization and Pidginization in Contexts of Postcolonial Diversity: Language, Culture, Identity. Language. 2021, 97(1), 200-204. https://doi.org/10.1353/lan.2021.0005
[2]	Smith, G P. Growing up with Tok Pisin: Contact, Creolization, and Change in Papua New Guinea’s National Language. London: Battlebridge. 2002. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0041977x0445006x
[3]	Winford, D. An Introduction to contact Linguistics. Oxford: Blackwell. 2003. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1548-1395.2008.00007.x
[4]	Smith, G P., Siegel, J. Tok Pisin. In S M. Michaelis, P. Maurer, M. Haspelmath, & M. Huber (Eds.), The Survey of Pidgin and Creole Languages. 2013, pp. 214-222.
[5]	Aikhenvald, A Y. Trade, Mines and Language: The Chinese in Papua New Guinea. Chapter 8 in The Chinese in Papua New Guinea. Australia: ANU Press. 2024.
[6]	Dutton, T. Language Contact and Change in Melanesia. In P. Bellwood, J J. Fox, & D. Tryon (eds.), The Austronesians, Canberra: ANU Press. 2025. https://doi.org/10.22459/a.09.2006.11
[7]	Jourdan, C., keesing, R. From Fisin to Pijin: Creolization in the Process in the Solomon Islands. Language in Society. 1997, 26(3), 401-420.
[8]	Sankoff, G., Laberge, S. On the Acquisition of Native Speakers by a Language. Kivung. 1973, 6(1), 32-47. https://doi.org/10.9783/9781512809589-014
[9]	Sankoff, G., Brown, P. The Origins of Syntax in Discourse: A Case of Tok Pidgin Relatives. Language. 1976, 52(6), 31-66.
[10]	Romaine, S. English and Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea. World Englishes. 1989, 8(1), 5-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971x.1989.tb00431.x
[11]	Smith, G P. Creolized Tok Pisin: Uniformity and Variation. In R J. Baldauf & A. Luke (Eds.), Language Planning and Education in Australasia and the Pacific. 1990, pp. 197-209.
[12]	Bennett J A. Solomon Islands Pidgin. In S A. Wurm (Ed.), New Guinea and the Neighboring Areas: A Sociolinguistic Laboratory. The Hague: Mouton. 1979, pp. 64-72.
[13]	Siegel, J. Plantation Pidgin Fijian. Oceanic Linguistics. 1986, 21, 1-72.
[14]	Watson-Gegeo, K A., Gegeo, D W., Fito’o, B. Critical Community Language Policies in Education: Solomon Islands Case. Chapter 20 in The Oxford Handbook of Language Policy and Planning, Oxford: Oxford University. 2018.
[15]	Watson-Gegeo, K A. English in the Solomon Islands. World Englishes. 1987, 6(1), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971x.1987.tb00174.x
[16]	Keesing, R. Melanesian Pidgin and Oceanic Syntax: Further Evidence from Solomons Languages. In Harlow R (Ed.), Austronesian Linguist, Auckland: Te Reo. 1991.
[17]	Siegel, J. Language Contact in a Plantation Environment: A Sociolinguistic History of Fiji. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press. 1987.
[18]	Todd, L., Mmühlhäusler, P. Idiomatic Expressions in Cameroon Pidgin English and Tok Pisin. 1978. https://doi.org/10.15144/pl-a54.1
[19]	Wurm S A. Pidgin and Creole Linguistics. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. 1977.
[20]	Mead, M. Growing up in New Guinea: A comparative Study of Primitive Education. Nature. 1932, 130(78), 304-306. https://doi.org/10.2307/1785224
[21]	Mühlhäusler, P. Samoan Plantation Pidgin English and the Origins of New Guinea Pidgin: An Introduction. Journal of Pacific History. 1976, 11(2), 122-125. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223347608572295
[22]	Simons L L., young, H. Pijin blong Yumi: A Guide to Solomon Islands Pijin. Honiara: Solomon Islands Christian Association. 1978.
[23]	RAMSI Public Affairs Unit. Tok Pijin: A Quick Guide to Speaking Pijin. Australia: Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. 2011.
[24]	Robert A H J. Pijin Languages. Scientific American. 1959, 200(2), 124-135.
[25]	Huebner T., Horoi S R. Solomon Islands Pijin Grammar Handbook. Vermont: The Experiment in International Living Brattleboro. 1979.
[26]	Lynch, J. Pidgins, Creoles and Koines. In Pacific Languages: An Introduction. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press. 1988.
[27]	Romaine, S. Relative Clauses in Child Language, Pidgins and Creoles. Australian Journal of Linguistics. 1984, 4(2), 257-281. https://doi.org/10.1080/07268608408599327
[28]	Laycock, D C. Materials in New Guinea Pidgin (Coastal and Lowlands). Canberra: Australian National University. 1970. https://doi.org/10.15144/pl-d5

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Tang, S. (2025). Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 13(6), 212-218. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Tang, S. Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2025, 13(6), 212-218. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Tang S. Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin. Int J Lang Linguist. 2025;13(6):212-218. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11,
  author = {Shuhang Tang},
  title = {Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin
},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {212-218},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20251306.11},
  abstract = {Solomon Islands is not an English-speaking country but a Pijin-speaking one. The Pijin spoken in this country belongs to Melanesia Pijin circle within which there are the other Pijins spoken in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. By means of literature reading and qualitative study, Solomon Islands Pijin (SIP) turns out to be from the colonial historical culture, cross-linguistic contact environment, necessary demand for temporary communication and cognitive economy principle. Based on British English, SIP demonstrates a common effort of a smooth communicative demand and diverse dialects. Generally, lexical choice and syntactic structure conform to the basic rules of British English to be more concise, fragmented and straightforward, which is easy to memorize, understand and use. Specifically, the lexicon is primarily made certain transformation on the basis of the phonetics, morphology, and semantics of English lexicon, together with suffixation and special function words. The syntax is mostly based on the local dialects in the aspects of the word order, double subject, specific degree modifier, infinitive structure, “moa” and “nomoa”, and replacement of the original modal verbs. With the development of SIP, the different written forms are employed to convey the message more concisely and effectively. SIP is a lingua franca rooted in local social and historical culture that Solomon Islanders live by being a symbol of language identity for Solomon Islands.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin

AU  - Shuhang Tang
Y1  - 2025/11/07
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 212
EP  - 218
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11
AB  - Solomon Islands is not an English-speaking country but a Pijin-speaking one. The Pijin spoken in this country belongs to Melanesia Pijin circle within which there are the other Pijins spoken in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. By means of literature reading and qualitative study, Solomon Islands Pijin (SIP) turns out to be from the colonial historical culture, cross-linguistic contact environment, necessary demand for temporary communication and cognitive economy principle. Based on British English, SIP demonstrates a common effort of a smooth communicative demand and diverse dialects. Generally, lexical choice and syntactic structure conform to the basic rules of British English to be more concise, fragmented and straightforward, which is easy to memorize, understand and use. Specifically, the lexicon is primarily made certain transformation on the basis of the phonetics, morphology, and semantics of English lexicon, together with suffixation and special function words. The syntax is mostly based on the local dialects in the aspects of the word order, double subject, specific degree modifier, infinitive structure, “moa” and “nomoa”, and replacement of the original modal verbs. With the development of SIP, the different written forms are employed to convey the message more concisely and effectively. SIP is a lingua franca rooted in local social and historical culture that Solomon Islanders live by being a symbol of language identity for Solomon Islands.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Shuhang Tang

School of Humanities and Law, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China; Faculty of Education and Humanities, Solomon Islands National University, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-5954-5958

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Tang, S. (2025). Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 13(6), 212-218. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Tang, S. Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2025, 13(6), 212-218. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Tang S. Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin. Int J Lang Linguist. 2025;13(6):212-218. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11,
  author = {Shuhang Tang},
  title = {Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin
},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {13},
  number = {6},
  pages = {212-218},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20251306.11},
  abstract = {Solomon Islands is not an English-speaking country but a Pijin-speaking one. The Pijin spoken in this country belongs to Melanesia Pijin circle within which there are the other Pijins spoken in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. By means of literature reading and qualitative study, Solomon Islands Pijin (SIP) turns out to be from the colonial historical culture, cross-linguistic contact environment, necessary demand for temporary communication and cognitive economy principle. Based on British English, SIP demonstrates a common effort of a smooth communicative demand and diverse dialects. Generally, lexical choice and syntactic structure conform to the basic rules of British English to be more concise, fragmented and straightforward, which is easy to memorize, understand and use. Specifically, the lexicon is primarily made certain transformation on the basis of the phonetics, morphology, and semantics of English lexicon, together with suffixation and special function words. The syntax is mostly based on the local dialects in the aspects of the word order, double subject, specific degree modifier, infinitive structure, “moa” and “nomoa”, and replacement of the original modal verbs. With the development of SIP, the different written forms are employed to convey the message more concisely and effectively. SIP is a lingua franca rooted in local social and historical culture that Solomon Islanders live by being a symbol of language identity for Solomon Islands.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Lexical Choice and Syntactic Structure of Solomon Islands Pijin

AU  - Shuhang Tang
Y1  - 2025/11/07
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 212
EP  - 218
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251306.11
AB  - Solomon Islands is not an English-speaking country but a Pijin-speaking one. The Pijin spoken in this country belongs to Melanesia Pijin circle within which there are the other Pijins spoken in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. By means of literature reading and qualitative study, Solomon Islands Pijin (SIP) turns out to be from the colonial historical culture, cross-linguistic contact environment, necessary demand for temporary communication and cognitive economy principle. Based on British English, SIP demonstrates a common effort of a smooth communicative demand and diverse dialects. Generally, lexical choice and syntactic structure conform to the basic rules of British English to be more concise, fragmented and straightforward, which is easy to memorize, understand and use. Specifically, the lexicon is primarily made certain transformation on the basis of the phonetics, morphology, and semantics of English lexicon, together with suffixation and special function words. The syntax is mostly based on the local dialects in the aspects of the word order, double subject, specific degree modifier, infinitive structure, “moa” and “nomoa”, and replacement of the original modal verbs. With the development of SIP, the different written forms are employed to convey the message more concisely and effectively. SIP is a lingua franca rooted in local social and historical culture that Solomon Islanders live by being a symbol of language identity for Solomon Islands.

VL  - 13
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download