Introduction

The Pijin language originated on the sugar cane plantations of Queensland, Australia, between 1863 and 1906, as a lingua franca spoken between Kanakas (Melanesian workers) and European overseers. In 1904, at the end of the labor trade period, repatriated Solomon Islanders brought Pijin to the Solomon Islands. Pijin is widely spoken by the majority of the population (548,400 people).

There are no known dialects of Pijin. The basic vocabulary is reportedly more similar to standard English [eng] than Tok Pisin [tpi] of Papua New Guinea is. The grammar shows Melanesian features. It is historically related to Tok Pisin and Bislama [bis] of Vanuatu. The intelligibility with Bislama is quite high.

This dictionary is largely based on the work compiled by Dr. Gerry Beimers in "Wei Fo Raetem Olketa Wod Long Pijin", Mekfaev Kopi, (c) 2010.