English-speaking businesspeople started trading in earnest with Canton in the south of China from the beginning of the 19th century. These traders represented three groups: employees from the East India company; traders with their main offices in Scotland and England, of which Jardine Matheson was the best known company; and American traders. The language of communication among these traders was a form of pidgin English, comprised of a mix between English and Cantonese. Despite being classified …