According to Gilbert, the Scottish-American literary historian...
“Language is a living thing. We can feel it changing. Parts of it become old: they drop off and are forgotten. New pieces bud out, spread into leaves, and become big branches proliferating.”
Even though Chinese (approx. 1,197,000,000 native speakers) and Spanish (approx. 414,000,000 native speakers) lead English (approx. 335,000,000 native speakers) in popularity, English remains the language of global business, maritime, aviation and science. About 1.75 billion people speak English at a useful level. That is one in four of us!
Why is this? Pure and simple, it is because of its ability to “borrow” or “loan” words from other languages. 29% of English words are derived from French. Another 26% have Germanic origin. Indian words like: Avatar, Chutney, Guru, Yoga etc have found their ways into the English language. African words are not left behind as well. Words like: Garri, Banana, Boogie, Chimpanzee, Vuvuzela, Ubuntu, Sangoma, Bozo etc are well known.
In 2016, 640 new words and terms were added to the Queen’s English and over the past ten years, about 10,000 new words/terms/expressions have found their ways into English language!
Why is this? Pure and simple, it is because of its ability to “borrow” or “loan” words from other languages. 29% of English words are derived from French. Another 26% have Germanic origin. Indian words like: Avatar, Chutney, Guru, Yoga etc have found their ways into the English language. African words are not left behind as well. Words like: Garri, Banana, Boogie, Chimpanzee, Vuvuzela, Ubuntu, Sangoma, Bozo etc are well known.
In 2016, 640 new words and terms were added to the Queen’s English and over the past ten years, about 10,000 new words/terms/expressions have found their ways into English language!
The Kegites Club of Nigeria is a well known socio-cultural organisation in Nigerian higher institutions for their humorous entertainments. What most people don't know about the club is that the members are experts in the art of neologism - creating new words and terms.
Over the years, the club has enriched our lexicon with words like: Songito, Capito, Federize, Obelenta, Woged, Karid, Ilya, Bembestic, Opekesis etc.
Over the years, the club has enriched our lexicon with words like: Songito, Capito, Federize, Obelenta, Woged, Karid, Ilya, Bembestic, Opekesis etc.
Yoruba language is spoken by about 50 million people. The first Yoruba dictionary and Grammar book was published in 1843. A vocabulary of the Yoruba language including a large number of local proverbs was published in 1852. Over the years some authors have created new and updated dictionaries. However the new dictionaries are not keeping up with the pace of change in this modern world.
The government doesn't create language, people do. Every Yoruba person must stand up and be counted. We cannot allow our language to become irrelevant or be consigned to the rubbish dump. It is our duty to develop the language and make it fit for the 21st century and beyond. Legal, business, economic, commercial, financial, scientific words/terms/expressions need to be translated into Yoruba. This is a call to arms to all Ọmọ Kaarọ Ojire to stand and be counted in these efforts.
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