Cameroon essay

Get ready to juggle between English, French and Pidgin when you visit Cameroon. Pidgin is the middle ground and might just be the one that’ll win you lots of friends. Here’s a list of 21 essential phrases you’ll need in Cameroon.

French and English are the official languages. The approximately two hundred fifty local languages include Ewondo and Bulu, Duala, the Bamiléké languages, and Fulfulde. Among the less educated, the Wes Cos dialect of Pidgin English functions as a lingua franca in the English-speaking area and in many neighborhoods in Douala.

Accompanied by a smile, ‘thank you’ is very gracious. Most people will still understand you in the Francophone part of the country if you say it in English. Sometimes all you need to offer is a yes or no. You’ll need this when you need a favour or want to ask for directions, information or to excuse yourself.

Pidgin is very fluid, and English-speaking Cameroonians love to hear it rolling down foreign tongues. Replace ‘market’ with any place you like and you’ve got yourself sorted, whether you’re using a taxi or bike, or travelling to another town. There you go. If you starve yourself, it won’t be for want of a phrase to ask for food.