- Oxford English Dictionary adds 20 Nigerian words in latest update.
- Words like “japa,” “419,” and “agbero” reflect Nigeria’s rich culture.
- Consultant Kingsley Ugwuanyi helped draft and record pronunciations for entries.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has recognized Nigeria’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity by including 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update.
These additions, such as “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “suya,” “419,” and “abi,” highlight the global acknowledgment of Nigerian Pidgin, street slang, and cultural idioms.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that
Some words, like “japa” and “jand,” are now classified as both nouns and verbs, with pronunciation guides included to help non-Nigerians articulate them correctly.
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for the OED, shared his excitement about the update on LinkedIn. He expressed pride in his role, not only in drafting many of the words but also in recording their pronunciations. Ugwuanyi wrote, “I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) 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 pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life.”
Some of the notable additions include:
- 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.”
Complete List of Nigerian Words Added
The full list of Nigerian words included in this update is as follows:
- 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
Oxford Dictionary Nigerian Words
This landmark inclusion reflects Nigeria’s cultural creativity and the unique ways its people express themselves, further solidifying Nigerian English as a global linguistic influence.
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