Pidgin and English
At the Polynesian Cultural Center, I came across this “Soda Bomb” soda truck. What struck me was that the menu was mainly in English but had incorporated Pidgin elements. For example, the “Shoots,” “Ho Nah,” “Ho Cuz,” “Das Cherreh,” and “Broke Da Mouth” drinks are all elements/phrases within the Pidgin language. This showed me how businesses use elements such as Pidgin to connect to local customers. The use of Pidgin here reflects the community around it. It made me realize that multilingualism also represents culture, and that language choices in public spaces can make people feel recognized and embodied.
Lingscape
