The English language plays a significant role in Nigeria, functioning as the official language in various sectors, including media, government, education, law, commerce, and politics. This widespread use has elevated its importance over indigenous Nigerian languages. Due to prolonged interaction with these languages, the absence of native English models, and the influence of Nigerian teachers with varying levels of Standard English pronunciation, Nigerian English (NigE) has developed distinct characteristics.
This has resulted in a unique Nigerian English variety that differs from Standard British English in syntax, pragmatics, and phonology. Nigerian English is a nativised form of English, with features uniting communities and bridging differences between varieties, reflecting cultural values uniquely expressed in English terms.
Evolution and Influences
The development of Nigerian English has been shaped by several factors:
- Interaction with Indigenous Languages: The long-standing interaction between English and local languages has led to the incorporation of loanwords and unique expressions.
- Absence of Native Models: The lack of native English speakers as primary models has allowed for the development of distinct pronunciation patterns.
- Influence of Nigerian Teachers: The English pronunciation competence of Nigerian teachers has played a crucial role in shaping the phonological features of Nigerian English.
In view of its long years of interaction with these languages, the absence of native models, and the influence of Nigerian teachers who lack Standard English pronunciation competence, it has been nativised and acculturated.
Key Characteristics of Nigerian English
Nigerian English has several distinctive features that set it apart from other varieties of English. These include:
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Pronunciation
As the literature currently stands, most phonological studies have analysed a plethora of Nigerian English speakers from a wide range of backgrounds (region of origin, current profession, social class, etc.).
- Voiced -z Sounds: Voiced -z sounds in which the "s" is present in spelling become voiceless.
Lexical Features
Nigerian English incorporates loanwords and coinages that reflect local culture and context.
- Loanwords: Words adopted from Nigerian languages with little or no modification.
- Coinages: Colloquialisms spoken in English with unique cultural meanings.
- Semantic Shift: Reappropriation of the meaning of English words for Nigerian purposes.
A common example of semantic shift is in the reappropriation of the meaning of English words for Nigerian purposes and uses. That stretching of meaning can change the meaning of the English phrase but also represents something from Nigerian culture. A particularly expansive example of semantics in NE is the use of a variety of greetings.
Examples of Loanwords
A loanword is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as "a word adopted from a foreign language with little or no modification".
Examples include:
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- akpu, banga, eba, egusi, ogbono, tuwo: Denoting various types of Nigerian soups.
The origins of the word "banga" per-se appear to be unknown but it may be a local loanword. Banga is mostly synonymous with Delta State (although similar dishes made with the same primary ingredient; i.e., palm fruit concentrate; exist around Nigeria, e.g., Igbo ofe akwu, Ibibio-Efik abak atama, Isoko izuwo ibiedi, Itsekiri obe eyin-ikpogiri (banga-egusi soup). One-pot banga rice is known as adesi abak in Ibibio-Efik and is often prepared with seafood.
Further inclusion of Nigerian English words in the OED occurred in the December 2024 update: over 20 additional Nigerian English words and expressions. These include terms such as abi, adire, eba, gele, Japa, Naija, suya, 419, yahoo boy, among others.
Pragmatic Features
Unique pragmatic usages also characterize Nigerian English. Two prevalent examples are "sorry" and "sir".
- "Sorry": Used to express sympathy or empathy, rather than admitting responsibility.
- "Sir": Used as a title to indicate respect and politeness.
Grammatical Features
- Suffixing with "now": Common suffixing of phrases with the word “now”, especially when making an example of something.
E.g. (1): “like you, now” (take you/yourself as an example), “for example now” (for example), “say you’re the one who’s going to be celebrating the birthday tomorrow evening now” (suppose for a minute that it’s your birthday tomorrow and you’re having some party/celebration).
Common Nigerian words or Phrases and Sentences for Daily Conversations every beginner should know
The update also introduced pronunciation recordings by a Nigerian voice, many provided by Nigerian linguist Dr Kingsley Ugwuanyi, who serves as consultant to the OED on Nigerian English along with Kola Tubosun.
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Regional Variations
There are three main dialects of Nigerian English: Hausa English (spoken by the Hausa), Igbo English (spoken by the Igbo) and Yoruba English (spoken by the Yoruba). Nigerian Pidgin English is very commonly spoken in the South-South region of Nigeria, such as in Rivers, Delta, or Bayelsa States.
It is more concentrated than the pidgin spoken in the city of Lagos, which is occasionally seen as merely an urban-Yoruba-mediated version of Nigerian English.
The Influence of Nigerian Culture
When Nigerian people speak English they use more volume, especially the Nigerian men. This is because of their culture. Nigerian men use more volume to signify authority. It makes them sound more ‘alpha male’, more masculine, more ‘manly’. This is because of their culture - the Nigerian culture.
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