In a new turn of events, reports show that some 20 Nigerian words and expressions have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), expanding its repertoire and showcasing the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Nigeria.
A Nigerian English consultant for the Oxford English Dictionary, Kingsley Ugwuanyi, shared the update on LinkedIn, expressing pride in his involvement in drafting the words and recording their pronunciations.
Prominent among the additions are terms like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “Suya,” “419,” and “abi,” among others.
The addition of Nigerian words to the dictionary reflects the growing global recognition of Nigerian Pidgin, street slang, and cultural expressions.
Some terms, such as “japa” and “jand,” have been classified as both nouns and verbs in the dictionary, with pronunciation guides included to help non-Nigerians articulate them correctly.
Ugwuanyi wrote, “I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Oxford Languages | OUP has officially published its latest updates, featuring an amazing collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians.
“This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their hashtag#pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my hashtag#voice bringing these words to life.”
Notable Definitions
– Japa: Defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries, especially in Europe or North America, in pursuit of education, employment, or economic opportunities.”
– Agbero: Described as “a tout, typically at car parks or bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers while ushering passengers onto vehicles.”
– 419: Defined as “fraud, usually conducted online, involving requests for advance payment in return for a share of a large sum of money that is never delivered.”
The complete list of Nigerian words include:
– 419
– Abi
– Adire
– Agbero
– Area boy
– Cross-carpet
– Cross-carpeting
– Eba
– Edo
– Gele
– Jand (noun, verb)
– Janded (adjective)
– Japa (noun, verb)
– Kanu
– Kobo
– Naija
– Suya
– Yahoo
– Yahoo boy
– Yarn Dust
Nigerian English and in turn Nigerians, are evidently going global.
