Word for the Travel Wise (01/04/07)

Don’t ask me why I picked this word today. I just did. Maybe someone out there will want to woo a pretty Nigerian woman with a broken English and Yoruba poem or just shout it out loud as the only word they know. However, the last reason really should not be the case as I’ve provided a good handful of words to get you started if traveling in the country and looking to speak some of the native tongues.

Today’s word is a Yoruba word used in Nigeria:

yemoja – goddess of the river

English is the official language of Nigeria, which means any traveler should be able to converse and navigate their way from Lagos to Jigawa with ease. (Unless you don’t speak English.) The country’s three main languages include: Yoruba, Ibo (Igbo), and Hausa. Each of the three main languages are named after the people they belong to and carry several dialects within themselves. Motherland Nigeria has an incredible intro to the three languages, Nigerian slang and even a few examples of common Pidgin English spoken. Some audio samples are available as well.

Past Nigerian / Yoruba / Igbo words: ikun, feran, kedu, odabo, gabdun, jo, joko, ewa

Word for the Travel Wise (12/23/06)

As the last few days of Christmas creep up on me and everyone else celebrating I’ll be getting in as much quality time with the family as possible and to do so I’ll have to be short here, but not so short where I can’t provide you with your nightly dose of foreign language. So without further delay…

Today’s word is a Yoruba word used in Nigeria:

ewa – beauty

English is the official language of Nigeria, which means any traveler should be able to converse and navigate their way from Lagos to Jigawa with ease. (Unless you don’t speak English.) The country’s three main languages include: Yoruba, Ibo (Igbo), and Hausa. Each of the three main languages are named after the people they belong to and carry several dialects within themselves. Motherland Nigeria has an incredible intro to the three languages, Nigerian slang and even a few examples of common Pidgin English spoken. Some audio samples are available as well.

Past Nigerian / Yoruba / Igbo words: ikun, feran, kedu, odabo, gabdun, jo, joko

Word for the Travel Wise (11/07/06)

Should you find yourself at dinner or having a cup of tea at a Nigerian friend’s place or someone of Nigerian descent, don’t be too surprised to hear this word shortly after stepping into the house…

Today’s word is a Yoruba word used in Nigeria:

joko – sit down

English is the official language of Nigeria, which means any traveler should be able to converse and navigate their way from Lagos to Jigawa with ease. (Unless you don’t speak English.) The country’s three main languages include: Yoruba, Ibo (Igbo), and Hausa. Each of the three main languages are named after the people they belong to and carry several dialects within themselves. Motherland Nigeria has an incredible intro to the three languages, Nigerian slang and even a few examples of common Pidgin English spoken. Some audio samples are available as well.

Past Nigerian / Yoruba / Igbo words: ikun, feran, kedu, odabo, gabdun, jo

Word for the Travel Wise (10/16/06)

Meet me in Lagos – It’s goin’ down! Okay, sorry that was wrong of me and I promise to try keeping catchy rap hooks out of my blogs. Anyhow, a few friends were talking as usual about returning to their motherland of Nigeria and me being the professional tag-along I am, I naturally begged to be included when the time comes around. And if you’re going to beg then at least do with the appropriate sugar-coated words. Start with pretty and continue with please.

Today’s word is a Yoruba word used in Nigeria:

Jo – Please

(Note: there should be an accent mark underneath the letter ‘o’.)

English is the official language of Nigeria, which means any traveler should be able to converse and navigate their way from Lagos to Jigawa with ease. (Unless you don’t speak English.) The country’s three main languages include: Yoruba, Ibo (Igbo), and Hausa. Each of the three main languages are named after the people they belong to and carry several dialects within themselves. Motherland Nigeria has an incredible intro to the three languages, Nigerian slang and even a few examples of common Pidgin English spoken. Some audio samples are available as well.

Past Nigerian / Yoruba / Igbo words: ikun, feran, kedu, odabo, gabdun

Word for the Travel Wise (07/18/06)

Every time a friend of mine goes back home to Africa or the U.K., he usually brings back this delicious treat made from flour called chin-chin. At first glance the desert type snack looks more like kibbles n’ bits than something I’d be willing to toss back in the ole’ trap to munch on, but it’s truly mouth-watering once you get a taste. I’m hoping he’ll bring a little something back from his next trip or perhaps it’s time I made it a very good excuse to travel on over to Nigeria.

Today’s word is a Yoruba word used in Nigeria:

gabdun – enjoy

English is the official language of Nigeria, which means any traveler should be able to converse and navigate their way from Lagos to Jigawa with ease. (Unless you don’t speak English.) The country’s three main languages include: Yoruba, Ibo (Igbo), and Hausa. Each of the three main languages are named after the people they belong to and carry several dialects within themselves. Motherland Nigeria has an incredible intro to the three languages, Nigerian slang and even a few examples of common Pidgin English spoken. Some audio samples are available as well.

Past Nigerian / Yoruba / Igbo words: ikun, feran, kedu, odabo