The growth of English in the 20th century extended to all parts of the continent, with areas that were under French, Portuguese, or German influence finding it hard to resist the globalization of English. xi) characterizes as the oldest Southern Hemisphere variety of English in the world. All these are predated by English on the island of Tristan/St. On the mainland the earliest significant presence of English was in West Africa, then Southern Africa, next East Africa and North Africa. The continent displays a wide range of forms of English-Pidgin, L2, Creole, and “transplanted” L1. Those contacts may be extended to include islands off the mainland of Africa like Mauritius, Tristan da Cunha, and St Helena, originally uninhabited and then populated partially with enslaved people from Africa.

The form and functions of English have long diversified on the continent, depending on the history of particular regions and the nature of the contacts with speakers of English.

As with most parts of the world, English continues to grow in Africa, long after the heyday of British trading, slavery, exploitation and colonization.

West african pidgin english grammar