Nigerian Expressions, English Blessings.

By

Obododimma Oha

The recent entry of some Nigerian expressions into Oxford dictionary of English is welcome but raises a lot of issues about the formal use of the expressions, the commitment of Nigerian linguists to the development of Nigerian English, and Nigeria’s linguistic independence. The Nigerian expresssions that were given a blessing include: agric, barbing, buka, bukateria, chop-chop, danfo, to eat money, ember months, flag-off, to flag off, gist, guber, Kannywood, k-leg, mama put, next tomorrow, non-indigene, okada, to put to bed, qualitative, rub minds(together), sef, send-forth, tokunbo, zone and zoning. A report on this can be found at: https://t.guardian.ng/new/oxford-dictionary-adds-okada-danfo-mama-put-26-other-nigerian-words-expressions/  . Indeed, a similar process of acceptation was created by Merrriam Webster, but Webster’s goes through a process of reaction to submissions over time and later the expression may be included if reactions are satisfactory and if the expression is much in use. To introduce this welcoming ritual for expressions from the Outer Circle of English use (as Braj Kachru lists Nigeria) is a significant thing. So, Nigeria is finally not sliding in to the Expanding Circle, given its notable and widespread poor use of English? The Nigerian scholar, Farooq Kperogi, who, in Letters from Atlanta, has been relentlessly commenting on English in current Nigerian life, would certainly be interested in this. Kperogi’s reaction is important to the discourse and would suggest an important dimension.

While we await Kperogi’s reaction, the following observations are also noteworthy. First, the endorsement by an Oxford dictionary comes at a time that Nigeria’s political direction and lesson notes are also considered worth reading if they are endorsed at Chatham House. This takes one back to Nigeria’s history and makes one feel that Britain is still the determinant of Nigeria’s future, as its “former” colonial master! Incidentally, English is still highly respected in Nigeria and seen as ensuring a professional future. Nigeria is also tremendously multilingual and English benefits from the unhealthy competition, pretending to be the arbiter and language of neutrality. Promoters English linguistic imperialism may use the acceptance of Nigerian expressions (considered poor English) as the bait and evidence that Nigerian English is being promoted at the international level. It is like winning a visa lottery or gaining entrance into Heaven! But, wait, the derogation reserved for the green passport may be extended to the utterance of Nigerianisms out there!

But, thanks to Oxford. At least, you are complementing genuine efforts. A government that cannot repair roads cannot award research grants that seek to promote a Nigerian provincial dialect of English! So, Oxford is helping in a big way. The colonial master would get a wife for the colonized, buy a mat, ask the colonized to lie down on the mat with his wife, and tell the colonized what to with the wife! Is that a Nigerianism? Is it good enough for inclusion and public consumption?

The words accepted are, indeed, popular and common in use in Nigeria. I hope that they are accptable  out there, and would not make me, the user, appear as a comedian.

But the blessing means a lot for those of us who frown at these expressions in formal writing, especially teachers of English. It means that we have to overhaul our tools ans overhaul our thinking, too. It means we can no longer frown at these expressions in formal writing, just we do not have to frown at cattle taking over the runways of airports or cattle routes being established from Paris to London. Who says that we cannot have a bottle of mama-put, without thinking of enclosing the Nigerian words in italics? Is that not also helpful to my carelessness in indicating foreign words as foreign words?

There is hope, just as there is God, or the former is the latter. There is hope, just as I have a dream that one day the Outer Circle can become the Inner Circle. Is somebody articulating “Thirdworldization”? No, even a linguistic “Thirdworldization” of the First World!