When you keep in mind that Nigeria was a British Commonwealth right up until 1960, then you can understand why a form of British English is applied as the common language that ties the peoples of a lot more than 200 dialects with each other. That form of English is named pigeon English or damaged English so claims Joy, a native Nigerian who has lived in the Houston, Texas region of the United States for close to a dozen or so many years.
She grew up in the city of Nsukka in the condition of Enugu in the jap aspect of Nigeria.
If you were being to vacation to this rural spot – you might listen to this problem: “Whatem you do?”
Translated it usually means: “What are you carrying out?” You also will hear the Ibo dialect.
“Whatem you do?” to the wonderful lady with a Bible on her head and a newborn on her back again.
“I’m going for walks to church.”
“Whatem you do?” to the man doing the job with cement blocks.
“I am creating homes to rent.”
“Whatem you do?” to the mother harvesting cocoyams and pumpkin leaves.
“I am producing fufu (soup) for our evening food to go with our rice.”
“Whatem you do?” to the youngsters working around laughing.
“We’re taking part in conceal and seek.”
“Whatem you do?” to the welcoming, smiling people today strolling everywhere.
“We are going for walks to the place we require to go. We have no dollars for bicycles or automobiles.”
“Whatem you do?” to the checking out relatives customers going for walks inside the doors of someone’s residence with out knocking.
“We come to check out and consume and check out and take in and go to some a lot more.”
“Whatem you do?” to the young people who glance like they are almost certainly carrying out absolutely nothing.
“Nothing at all.”
If you are an American and choose to go to Nigeria, be positive to look at with the U.S. Condition Section regarding safety, essential files, immunization specifications, organization ripoffs, and other crucial info which include what you need to have to do if you need any sort of aid.. “Whatem you do?” Be protected and enjoy a distinct tradition! And verify your round vacation ticket as quickly as you land.
This post is copyrighted 2008 by L.L. Culbreth. You might freely use it but only in it really is entirety and only with the useful resource box connected.