Lexifierkielestä

Lexifierkielestä refers to a language that has a significant influence on the vocabulary of another language, particularly in the formation of pidgins and creoles. In the context of pidgin and creole studies, the lexifier is the language from which the majority of the lexicon of the pidgin or creole is derived. For example, in many English-based creoles spoken in the Caribbean, English is the lexifier language. This means that the core vocabulary, the words used to express fundamental concepts, comes from English.

The lexifier language typically belongs to a socially dominant group during the contact situation that leads to the development of the pidgin. This dominance can be due to political, economic, or military power. While the lexicon is largely drawn from the lexifier, the grammatical structure of the pidgin or creole often differs significantly from the lexifier. It may incorporate elements from the substrate languages, which are the languages spoken by the less dominant group.

Understanding the lexifier is crucial for tracing the historical development and linguistic ancestry of a pidgin or creole. It helps researchers identify the source of many words and understand the historical power dynamics that shaped the language. However, it is important to note that a creole is a fully developed language with its own grammar and native speakers, not simply a simplified version of the lexifier. The term "lexifierkielestä" thus highlights the source of the vocabulary while acknowledging the distinct linguistic identity of the resulting pidgin or creole.