THE RELATIONSHIP OF PIDGINIZATION, CREOLIZATION AND DECREOLIZATION TO SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION1

Abstract

Schumann (1974) proposed that the pidginization process be used as a model for early second language acquisition (SLA) and that creolization serve as a model for the later stages of SLA. Subsequently, Schumann (1975, 1976, in press) elaborated the pidginization model arguing that social and psychological distance from the target language group cause persistence of pidginization in the speech of a second language learner. Stauble (1977) (following a suggestion by Bickerton 1975) has presented evidence that the process of decreolization is parallel to SLA. This paper attempts to reconcile these views by arguing that pidginization can account for early SLA, decreolization can account for the later stages of SLA and that creolization is inappropriate as a model for any aspect of the SLA process.In addition, this paper speaks to the issue of just what constitutes legitimate pidginization. Flick and Gilbert (1976) and Meisel (1975) have criticized the analogy between pidginization and SLA, but their arguments appear to be based on a narrow view of pidginization which equates the pidginization process with pidgin languages. This paper presents arguments for a broader view of pidginization (Samarin 1971) which can account for both early SLA and the formation of true pidgins.