What is Pig Latin

A. The dictionary defines it as a jargon that is made by systematic alteration of English by the addition of� another syllable.

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Q. Such as
A. Anymay ofway ouyay illway alreadyway owknay owhay otay oday isthay. Onway ethay agepay itway isway otnay osay ardhay otay orkway outway, utbay ifway ombinedcay ithway apidray eechspay itway ancay ebay onfusingcay otay ethay uninitiatedway, articularlypay adultsway.

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Got it

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Q. How is it done
A. There are a couple of 'dialects', but essentially it involves some inversion combined with an additional syllable, usually 'ay'. The rules are:

1. �If a word starts with a vowel, just add 'ay', e.g. easy = 'easyway'�
2. If a word starts with a consonant move it to the word's end and add 'ay', e.g. hard = 'ardhay'
3. If a word starts with�two consonants, move both to the end and add 'ay', e.g. child = 'ildchay'.

So, 'Can you speak Pig Latin ' translates as, 'Ancay ouyay peaksay igpay atinlay '

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Q. Where does it come from
A. This particular language seems to have originated in the USA. Webster's dictionary gives 1931 as its earliest reference, but such argots have been around for ever, and not just in English. The same principal can be used with any additional syllable and different ways of inverting the original word. One other American example used 'op' after each consonant with no inversion, even the last one, so that ship would be 'sophopipop' and umbrella becomes 'umopbopropeloplopa'. A British�version inserted 'eg', thus: 'spegeak tego mege' is speak to me. The possibilities are endless.

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Q. What's the point
A. Fun, and it allows children to keep parents - and those not in the gang - in the dark. If you want to learn more about this there are numerous websites offering bits of history, opinions, translation services (really) and a complete translation of the Bible. Try this one for starters http://www.bigpiggig.com/kids/kids9.html

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By Simon Smith