English Variation

An excerpt from the preamble of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in “standard” English and Nigerian Pidgin (typically more of a spoken than a written language):

‘Standard’ English

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people . . .

Nigerian Pidgin

Since e be like say, dem no see our right as any ting and dem come de do dem as dem like, dis come make people de behave like say dem be animals, dis come vex everibodi, so tay, dem come talk say everi human being must go get their freedom, wey go make dem talk any tink say naim be di right ting and wen dem de talk, dem no go fear to talk. Na dis be di beta ting wey all common people want.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights