Japa and 17 Other Nigerian Words Gain Global Spotlight in Oxford Dictionary
Source: http://franktalknow.com
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has once again recognized Nigeria’s linguistic and cultural richness by adding a new set of Nigerian words to its dictionary. These entries capture the vibrancy of everyday life in Nigeria, the exciting nuances of street mannerisms, and the growing global influence of Pidgin English. Reflecting the country’s cultural diversity, the words highlight ethnic identities and evolving language trends.
Dr. Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a consultant for the OED, announced the update on LinkedIn on Tuesday, January 7. He shared that some of the new entries, like japa and jand, function both as nouns and verbs, providing versatile usage. To assist non-Nigerians interested in understanding and using these words, the entries now come with audio pronunciations.
According to Dr. Ugwuanyi, OED editors used corpora to evaluate which words to include, basing their decisions on frequency, widespread use, and social significance. The words typically reflect trends from the past decade, cementing their relevance in modern conversations. “This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their pronunciations,” Dr. Ugwuanyi shared in his LinkedIn post. “When you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you will hear my voice bringing these words to life.”
Read more of the story here: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/japa-agbero-eba-suya-16-other-nigerian-words-added-to-oxford-dictionary-full-list/
Image Source: http://franktalknow.com