Nigerian English Words Added To Oxford Dictionary: Celebrating Nigeria's Linguistic Heritage

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Language is a powerful tool for expressing identity, culture, and creativity. Nigerian English, a vibrant and dynamic variety of English, has taken a step onto the global stage with the inclusion of several uniquely Nigerian words in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).


These additions highlight the richness of Nigerian culture and the growing influence of its linguistic heritage. From everyday expressions like abi to cultural staples like gele and suya, these words offer a glimpse into the life, creativity, and resilience of Nigerians. This recognition by the OED is not just a celebration of language but also a testament to Nigeria's impact on the global lexicon.

Bringing Nigeria to the World: Fresh Nigerian English Words Added to the Oxford Dictionary

Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria and a consultant for the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), shared exciting news on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday regarding the latest updates to the dictionary. Ugwuanyi played a pivotal role in this update, drafting most of the newly added words and recording their pronunciations.


Expressing his excitement, Ugwuanyi said, “The wait is finally over! I’m delighted to announce that the @OED has officially released its latest updates, featuring a remarkable collection of #NigerianEnglish words. These words beautifully represent Nigeria’s rich culture, creativity, and unique expressions.”


He continued, “This time, I not only contributed by drafting most of the words but also had the privilege of providing their pronunciations. When you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life.”


Here is a list of Nigerian English words recently added to the OED:

• 419 (noun)
• agbero (noun)
• adire (adjective and noun)
• abi (adverb)
• eba (noun)
• cross-carpeting (noun)
• cross-carpet (verb)
• area boy (noun)
• japa (noun and verb)
• janded (adjective)
• jand (verb and noun)
• gele (noun)
• Kanuri (noun and adjective)
• Edo (noun and adjective)
• yahoo (noun)
• suya (noun)
• Naija (adjective and noun)
• kobo (noun)
• yarn dust (verb)
• yahoo boy (noun)

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These additions underscore the vibrancy of Nigerian English and its growing influence on the global lexicon, celebrating the richness of Nigeria's linguistic and cultural heritage.