₦airaland Forum

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added a new set of Nigerian words to its diction, giving the global community an opportunity to learn about the country’s rich cultural heritage.

https://guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dictionaryschool-PA-897x598.jpg

The new words reflect the everyday life of an
average Nigerian and the exciting street
mannerisms and Pidgin English, which are fast
gaining acceptability across Africa and beyond.
Reflecting ethnic nationalities as well as demographics, the new entries also highlight
Nigeria’s cultural diversity. Japa, 419, agbero, abi, area boy, yahoo boy, yahoo, Edo, Kanuri, and, cross-carpet, kobo, naija and suya are among the new words unveiled yesterday.

Some of the entries take both noun and verb
forms. For instance, OED takes japa as both a
noun and a verb. Jand also comes in both parts
of speech. This time, the entries also come with
pronunciations to support non-Nigerians who
are interested in studying the dictions.

Dr Kingsley Ugwuanyi, who consults for OED
and provides vocal support, told The Guardian
that the editors used corpora to determine words that are more frequently and widely used across the country.

“So, the criteria include frequency, widespread
use, age (generally words that have been in use
for zero to 10 years) and the social significance
of the words,” he explained.

Announcing the list on LinkedIn, Ugwuanyi said:
“This time, I not only drafted most of the words
but also had the incredible opportunity to
provide their pronunciations. So, when you
explore the OED online and click on the
pronunciations, you will hear my voice bringing
these words to life.” In 2020, OED added 29
entries peculiar to Nigeria, including danfo,
okada, next tomorrow and mama put.

ExAngel007:
/

tolugar:
As 419 and yahoo no favour me for naija. Na to japa before agbero and area boys we full Edo go cross-carpet[b] me thinking I'm a yahoo boy and collect my last [b]kobo wey I won use chop suya as a Kanuri guy I be.


Go and check your dictionary

MadamVanessa:




I saw one clown above gloating over this. I don't see these words as Yoruba words anymore, these words are used virtually by all Nigerians , even in other African countries too. These words are more like Nigerian creole language (pidgin). They didn't add it to oxford because it's a Yoruba word but because it's spoken by majority of Nigerians and majority of Africans

Please don't let your inferiority complex makes you think that you've achieved anything on this. It's just a normal thing. I cant even count the numbers of Swahili words and other languages words that have made it way to oxford dictionary yet the speakers don't make a fused.

I expected the land of PhD holders to behave more maturely.

MadamVanessa:




I saw one clown above gloating over this. I don't see these words as Yoruba words anymore, these words are used virtually by all Nigerians , even in other African countries too. These words are more like Nigerian creole language (pidgin). They didn't add it to oxford because it's a Yoruba word but because it's spoken by majority of Nigerians and majority of Africans

Please don't let your inferiority complex makes you think that you've achieved anything on this. It's just a normal thing. I cant even count the numbers of Swahili words and other languages words that have made it way to oxford dictionary yet the speakers don't make a fused.

I expected the land of PhD holders to behave more maturely.

Snake001:
Woow

All Yoruba words.

Yoruba l’agba.

Naija worldwide.

One piigg don dey grunt up there.

nDÌGBÒLUGI !!!

tolugar:
As 419 and yahoo no favour me for naija. Na to japa before agbero and area boys we full Edo go cross-carpet[b] me thinking I'm a yahoo boy and collect my last [b]kobo wey I won use chop suya as a Kanuri guy I be.


Go and check your dictionary

Cleanworld:
So no other good words except this ones.