I bring you the concluding details on “This is what Nigeria has done to Pidgin English”
Nigeria has so modified and modernized Pidgin English that even non-English speakers will find it very interesting to listen to. This has put the country far ahead of other speakers within the West African region such as Ghana and Sierra Leone, and has caused the country to get admiration as can be seen in the musical performances of the Nation’s Artistes.
This very innovation in linguistics has helped to cut short the gap between the educated and illiterates, and has as well enhanced communication between amongst both the educated themselves one part and the illiterates on the other hand. Thus communication now readily comes at ease within the country. Nigeria has as a result of this achieved some of the advantages of the benefits of homogeneity in terms of language. For an example, what the British colonial government failed to achieve which obviously is the adoption of one language Pidgin language is fast seeking to achieve.
But this development also has certain draw-backs, consider the fact that most times Nigerians are found to communicate in Pidgin English even in tertiary institutions and other official quarters. A professor can sometimes be heard communicating in Pidgin English with his students which is some how offensive. This as observed may not improve the communication skills of graduates in the country. For this reason therefore, proper expression in Standard English language has continued to constitute problems even to the graduates of English Language in the tertiary institutions of the country.
Consider a situation where even Doctors and Nurses in the nation’s public government owned Hospitals. Visitors may sometimes find this development very irritating but it’s the situation.
Pidgin English may prove very excitingly and has the capacity to hold its listeners spell bound and obviously arrest the interest of its audience. Let us consider some of these words and phrases that distinguish it from those of other countries.
“Wetin dey? This means how are you doing? Contrary to what you may think, “how far? Also means how are you doing? A slacker is used to describe someone who is incompetent in resolutely wining a Lady’s heart. Lego means to sleep. “Make I come burst your head” may mean let me further tell you something that will surprise you. “Kolo” is mental problem or madness. “Gbedu” denotes music especially pop, R&B or western kind of music. “Bone or Later” is used to describe hostility or no longer in speaking terms with somebody. “Raba, Ishu or pay” means money. “Achy or Akuna” stands for prostitute. “419” means fraud or describes a fraudulent person. “Home video” is a description of Nigeria’s local Films.
Linguists have observed that it is merely a matter of time as Pidgin English may soon surpass the English Language as the official Language of the country. Only proper education stands between these two forms of Language.
Related Articles
The Amazing English Language as Spoken by Nigerians
By: Emeka Esogbue | 01/08/2008 | Culture
Quite wonderfully this article introduces you to the Nigerian kind of English, which I bet you will enjoy and ask for more even after reading it all.
The Basics of Writing and Communication
By: Jonathan Oates | 24/07/2008 | Copywriting
Article describes basic elements of writing and communication. A model of communication is explained and used to introduce the idea of effective writing.
A Journey to Republic De Benin in West Africa: My Personal Experiences and the Nigerian Situation
By: Emeka Esogbue | 11/07/2008 | Travel Tips
The article takes a look at Benin and social activities thererin. The journey takes this Author from the NIgerian-Benin Border to Benin and makes reasonable comparison between these countries on social grounds and concludes, bringing out areas where Nigeria has failed which requires amendments. These are mostly in the areas of streetlighting, road signs, traffic congestions and generally the bad state of roads in Nigeria. Nigeria needs to do more to better the lives of its citizens.
English Spelling Variations - Post a Disclaimer on Your Website
By: Heather Hansen | 08/08/2007 | Writing
Tired of getting tickets from the spelling police? Maybe it's time to post a disclaimer making it very clear which variety of English spelling you adhere to. If you already have too many unpaid tickets, just forward this article to spelling court, and maybe you can finally get some peace!
Speak Clearly - The Top 7 Tricks to Instantly Improve the Clarity of Your Speech
By: Heather Hansen | 08/08/2007 | Business
"I'm sorry, what? I can't understand you." Have you ever heard this line? Then you probably know how embarrassing it can be to repeat something over and over again. Learn 7 ways to instanltly improve the clarity of your speech so you can avoid embarrassing mishaps in our international business environment.
This is What Nigeria Has Done to Pidgin English
By: Emeka Esogbue | 04/02/2008 | News and Society
Nigeria has has shown so much improvement in Pidgin English, gradually turning the language to a language of music and video. Find out how this language as spoken in Nigeria will interest you even more than your own language.
English Language Communities
By: Jonathan Oates | 24/07/2008 | Copywriting
The English language is amongst the leading languages in the world. It is a truly global language. Every one of the billion plus English language users belongs to at least one English language community, using one variety of English. Understanding that your audience is an English language community of one kind or another is the first step in planning any effective piece of writing.
Why your ads aren't working
By: Claire Cunningham | 09/09/2005 | Advertising
Questions there are no simple
answers. After all, communication is a high level activity.
There are lots of variables involved.
If your ad results are disappointing,.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest News and Society Articles
How the E.U Plans to Combat Global Warming
By: Chris Woolfrey | 16/08/2008
Climate change and global warming - indeed, how to control them - are becoming more central to politics with every new development. Sustainable energy is the method of our times, and government's across the globe are under pressure - from each other, from environmental groups, and from individuals - to...
The Solar Decathlon - Giving Solar Power a Makeover
By: Chris Woolfrey | 16/08/2008
In the Autumn of next year, the third 'Solar Decathlon' will take place in Washington, D.C.
When it is under way, the experts and spectators alike will see some of the best examples in the world of the relationship between design and solar power.
Comprising 20 teams - each representing universities or...
How Could Parents Forget?
By: Johnny Summerton | 16/08/2008
It's a question that has preoccupied many here in France over the past month, and sadly made the headlines far too often. It's also one to which it's difficult to provide an answer.
Over the past four weeks there have been three separate incidents of young children or babies - being...
The Logical Art of Furniture
By: Tony Nibbinsworth | 16/08/2008
The period of time of the nineteen sixties was a turbulent time around the world in lots of ways. While many of us think of this time in terms of the political and cultural revolutions that swept the world, the impact of the music and cultural views of the time...
Furniture Designer: Alvar Aalto
By: Tony Nibbinsworth | 16/08/2008
Not only was Alvar Aalto a well-known designer of furniture but he was also an architect and accomplished working with glassware and textiles. Among Scandinavian artisans he is often referred to as the "Father of Modernism." His furniture, textiles, and glassware creations, much like his architecture, offer a modern appeal...
May The Force Be With You: Adult And Child Star Wars Costume
By: Susan G West | 16/08/2008
Everybody wants "the force," right? Since the movies emerged onto the big screen, every little girl wanted to be Princess Leia or Queen Amidala and every little boy wanted to be Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, a storm trooper and the dreaded Darth Vader. Adult Star Wars costumes are much like...
The Wine Boom!
By: Sarah Martin | 15/08/2008
Winemaking in California has never been an unsupervised industry. The first vines were brought to the Pacific shores by Cortez. When the ruthless conqueror of Mexico failed to find gold he decided to develop the country as an enormous vineyard. He commanded every landowner to plant, every year for five...
Sweet Grass Baskets - From Africa to America
By: Beverly Sugarman | 15/08/2008
When many people think about baskets and basket weaving, the first people that come to mind are Native Americans or Africans. There is, however, a whole group of talented basket weavers that have also carried the tradition of this art form through the generations that are located in the Carolinas....
More from Emeka Esogbue
Agbor in History
By: Emeka Esogbue | 13/08/2008 | Culture
This articles tells it all. The History of Agbor people of Ika in Anioma, Delta state of Nigeria. Find out whether the people are Igbo or not.
The Nigerian Civil War and Factors That Made the War Inevitable
By: Emeka Esogbue | 11/08/2008 | Politics
This article points out the fact that the Nigerian Civil War was not inevitable after all. It goes on to further point out the factors that made the war imminent.
Enjoy Pidgin English in Grand Style From Nigeria
By: Emeka Esogbue | 11/08/2008 | Culture
You have no option other than bow to the Nigeria’s Pidgin English spoken in grand style. The Language is which is now widely spoken in the country continues to abridge the once social gap between the wealthy and poor in the country. This is Nigeria’s Pidgin for you.
Nigerian Public Office Holders: Fighting Corruption With Cutlasses, Defending Corruption With Machine Guns
By: Emeka Esogbue | 08/08/2008 | Politics
This article condemns in very strong terms the recent demotion of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu in spite of his contributions towards anti-graft policies in Nigeria and believes that the exercise is not only a very bad example in the eye of the international community but also ethnical cleansing of the Police if out of 139 officers demoted only 9 are from the North and 130 officers from the South. A particular region of the country is seeking to everlastingly position itself in sensitive positions
All You Need to Know Getting Married to an African Man
By: Emeka Esogbue | 05/08/2008 | Marriage
You will find this article very important and useful if you are a foreigner wishing to marry an African man. Find out here how you play yourself into the heart of your African In-Laws plus perfect understanding what African marriage can be all about.
Britain: Return our Stolen Artefacts!
By: Emeka Esogbue | 03/08/2008 | Antiques
The refusal of Britain to return the over 3000 artifacts including the Festac 77 Mask stolen from the ancient Benin Kingdom now in Nigeria is considered condemnable by this article. The article therefore enjoins Britain to return these artifacts and others to their countries of origin such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, somalia and others alike while ensuring African countries to work towards this direction. It is a must read article for you.
The Amazing English Language as Spoken by Nigerians
By: Emeka Esogbue | 01/08/2008 | Culture
Quite wonderfully this article introduces you to the Nigerian kind of English, which I bet you will enjoy and ask for more even after reading it all.
Yar’adua and the August 14 Handing-over of the Nigeria’s Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroun
By: Emeka Esogbue | 29/07/2008 | Politics
The article warns that until the constitution of the Federal Republic of NIgeria is tinkered with, Nigeria is on the wrong path to handing-over the Bakassi peninsular to Cameroun. It may be too late to realize this in time to come because a very bad precedence is being set.
News and Society 
