Pig Latin

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

27 Jun 2008 07:27 PM

Remember "Pig Latin"? It really doesn't have anything to do with Latin, but it is a fun language game. You can either share these language skills with the kids or use it as a way to talk around them if they've already learned to spell. Some "Pig Latin" words have actually become regular scram words. Does "amscray" for "scram" sound familiar?

To play at Pig Latin, take away the initial consonant sound of a word, and put it at the end of the word followed by the "ay" sound. So "boy" becomes "oy-bay", "door" becomes "oor-day", and so on. If the word has a consantant blend, like the word "three" then take that whole blend to the end of the word. So "three" becomes "ee-thray".

If the word starts with a vowel, the rules are a bit different, just add "way" or "ay" or "hay" to the end of the word. So "eggs" would be "eggsway," or"eggsay", or "eggshay". With a little of practice, it's really easy to speak and understand "Pig Latin".

Fun aside for a moment, Pig Latin can be a good lesson in spelling and in constants, constant blends, and vowels. Interestingly enough, many other languages also have versions of this language game.

Amazingly - Google even has a "Pig Latin" search feature. And there are even "Pig Latin" to English and English to "Pig Latin" translators on the internet. I'm kind of amazed that anyone would take it that seriously, but Igpay Atinlay ancay ebay away unfay ingthay. Besides, some sources even say it was developed and used by American soldiers during WWII so that the Germans couldn't understand them. I don't know that for a fact, but I could see how it would work.

Also See:

Creating Secret Codes

Secret Codes and Spies

Teach Your Kids American Sign Language

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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