OED Adds More Nigerian Words, Showcasing Rich Cultural Heritage…
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has unveiled a new set of Nigerian words, celebrating the country’s vibrant culture, linguistic diversity, and everyday expressions.
This latest addition introduces global audiences to popular Nigerian slang, Pidgin English, and cultural terminology, reflecting the dynamic life and traditions of Africa’s most populous nation.
Among the newly added words are ‘japa’, ‘419’, ‘agbero’, ‘abi’, ‘area boy’, ‘yahoo boy’, ‘yahoo’, ‘Edo’, ‘Kanuri’, ‘jand’, ‘cross-carpet’, ‘kobo’, ‘naija’, and ‘suya’.
Many of these words, like “japa” and “jand”, appear in both noun and verb forms, complete with pronunciation guides to help non-Nigerians learn how to use them correctly.
Dr. Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a consultant for OED, provided vocal support for the entries and shared insights into the selection process. “The editors used corpora to identify words that are more frequently and widely used across Nigeria.
The criteria include frequency, widespread use, age—generally words that have been in use for zero to 10 years—and the social significance of the words,” Ugwuanyi explained.
Announcing the update on LinkedIn, Ugwuanyi expressed pride in contributing to the project. “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 will hear my voice bringing these words to life,” he said. The OED previously recognized Nigeria’s linguistic contributions in 2020, adding words like “danfo”, “okada”, “next tomorrow”, and ‘mama put”.
This new batch further cements Nigeria’s influence on the global linguistic stage. By capturing words that resonate with the lives of Nigerians and their cultural diversity, the OED offers a unique opportunity for the world to engage with Nigeria’s rich heritage.
As Ugwuanyi noted, “These entries highlight the power of language in telling a nation’s story.”
