Pidgin English as a Language of Commerce in Aba Market: A Sociolinguistic Investigation

This study investigates the functions and characteristics of Nigerian Pidgin English as a primary language of commerce in Aba Main Market, Abia State, South East Nigeria. Aba is one of Nigeria's most commercially active cities, attracting traders from diverse ethnolinguistic backgrounds, yet the linguistic dynamics of its marketplace have not been formally examined in recent years. The study employs a qualitative ethnographic approach with data collected through field observation, audio recordings of commercial interactions, and semi-structured interviews with 50 traders and buyers over a period of four weeks. The theoretical framework is informed by the sociology of language and domain theory. Analysis of the data identifies the specific grammatical features, lexical innovations, and pragmatic strategies used in market Pidgin, including price negotiation sequences, persuasive appeals, and dispute management. The study finds that Pidgin serves as the most neutral and effective lingua franca in Aba Market, facilitating communication across Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and other ethnolinguistic groups represented among traders. The research also notes the emergence of specialised trade vocabulary within the Pidgin used in Aba, distinguishing it from Pidgin varieties documented in other Nigerian commercial centres. Findings contribute to the understanding of Pidgin as a dynamic, socially constructed variety adapted to specific communicative environments. Keywords: Nigerian Pidgin English, language of commerce, Aba Market, sociolinguistics, lingua franca.