English language

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. The order, announced at a press briefing at the White House, aims to standardise government communications and promote the use of English in official capacities.

“This is a step towards unity and efficiency,” President Trump stated. “English has always been the common language of our nation, and this order reinforces that tradition.”

The executive order directs federal agencies to conduct all official business in English and encourages state and local governments to adopt similar measures. It also outlines provisions for English-language education programs to support immigrants in learning the language.

Before this order, the U.S. had no official language at the federal level, and multiple languages were widely used, including Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Native American languages such as Navajo and Cherokee. Spanish, in particular, has been a dominant language in several states, especially in the Southwest and large urban centers.

Critics argue that the move may marginalise non-English speakers and undermine the country’s linguistic diversity. Advocacy groups have vowed to challenge the order, citing concerns over accessibility and inclusivity.

Supporters, however, praise the decision as a necessary step in strengthening national identity and simplifying government operations.

It remains to be seen how the order will be implemented and whether it will face legal challenges in the coming weeks.

By Muhsin Ibrahim

Professor Mustapha Muhammad, a long-standing figure in the Department of English and Literary Studies at Bayero University, Kano, officially retired after an impressive 47 years of service. His disengagement marks the end of a significant chapter in the university’s history.

Known for his dedication to teaching, research, and mentoring, Professor Muhammad leaves behind a legacy that has shaped the minds of countless students and educators. His farewell on January 5 was not only a personal milestone but also a moment of reflection for the department that has greatly benefited from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

Colleagues express concerns about the impact of his retirement on the department. Malam Maikudi Zukogi noted that while Professor Muhammad’s departure was anticipated, it highlights the challenges ahead, especially following the recent retirements of two other long-serving faculty members – Profs. Isma’ila Tsiga and Sa’id Babura Ahmad. Zukogi stated, “His absence creates a significant vacuum that will be difficult to fill.”

As Professor Muhammad embarks on this new phase of his life, colleagues and students alike have extended their well wishes, expressing hopes for good health and a smooth transition into retirement. The university community acknowledges his invaluable contributions and looks ahead to sustaining the foundation he helped establish.

By Ishaka Mohammed

The Daily Reality earlier reported that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) had included 20 Nigerian words in its latest update. Below are their definitions.

1. 419 (noun): Fraud (now usually perpetrated on the internet) involving requests for advance payment in return for a substantial share of a large amount of money, which ultimately is never given. Frequently as a modifier, as in 419 emails, 419 scams, etc.

2. abi (adverb): Used as a sentence adverb: clearly, obviously; of course. Also used interrogatively, at the end of a statement, to prompt agreement, approval, or confirmation: ‘isn’t that so?’, ‘am I not correct?’, etc.

3. adire (adjective, noun): Made of a type of fabric produced mainly in south-western Nigeria, featuring patterns obtained by applying indigo or other dyes using various resist-dyeing techniques; a type of fabric produced mainly in south-western Nigeria, featuring patterns obtained by applying indigo or other dyes using various resist-dyeing techniques. Also: the method of producing this fabric.

4. agbero (noun): Originally: a person (usually a boy or young man) who works as a tout, typically at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers and ushering passengers onto vehicles. Later also (now chiefly): a person (usually a boy or young man), who obtains money or wins influence by engaging in criminal activity, such as extortion, theft, and drug dealing, often as a member of a gang.

5. area boy (noun): A person (usually a boy or young man), who obtains money or influence by engaging in criminal activity, such as extortion, theft, and drug dealing, often as a member of a street gang. Also: a person (usually a boy or young man) who works as a tout or enforcer.

6. cross-carpet: (verb): Of a politician: to move from one political party to another.

7. cross-carpeting (noun): The action or practice of a politician moving from one political party to another. Also: an instance of this.

8. eba (noun): A kind of dough made with boiled cassava meal, typically shaped into balls, forming a staple food in parts of West Africa.

9. Edo (noun; adjective):  A member of a people inhabiting the ancient Benin Kingdom in present-day southern Nigeria; of or relating to the language of the Edo, a member of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family; designating this language.

10. gele (noun): A West African head-tie originally worn by Yoruba women, typically consisting of a stiff piece of fabric printed with designs in bright colours, which can be tied or wrapped around the head to form various shapes.

11. jand (noun; verb): A foreign country; a country other than one’s own; to travel overseas, esp. in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity.

12. janded (adjective): Designating a person who has travelled overseas; of, relating to, or characteristic of such a person. Also: characteristic of or coming from a country other than one’s own; foreign.

13. japa (noun; verb): The emigration of Nigerians to other countries (esp. those in Europe or North America) in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity; to leave Nigeria for another country (esp. one in Europe or North America) in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity. Also more generally: to escape, to flee. 

14. Kanuri (noun; adjective): A member of a group of African peoples principally inhabiting north-eastern Nigeria, with some populations in Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Sudan; of or relating to the language of the Kanuri.

15. kobo (noun): Also in extended use: a very small amount (of money); usually in negative constructions, as in not a kobo, not worth a kobo, etc.

16. Naija (adjective; noun): Of, belonging to, or relating to Nigeria or Nigerians; a native or inhabitant of Nigeria, or a person of Nigerian descent.

17. suya (noun): In Nigerian cookery: a dish consisting of thinly sliced pieces of spiced meat grilled or roasted on a skewer, usually sold by street vendors and eaten as a snack.

18. yahoo (noun): Fraud perpetrated on the internet, esp. involving requests for advance payment for services or products that are ultimately never provided. Usually reduplicated, as yahoo yahoo.

19. yahoo boy (noun): A person (esp. a man) who commits fraud on the internet.

20. yarn dust (verb): to talk nonsense.

The history, pronunciation, example sentences and other details about each word are available at https://www.oed.com.

By Ishaka Mohammed

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has published its latest updates, featuring a collection of 20 words and phrases from Nigeria, Dr Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a consultant on Nigerian English for the OED, announced.

The Daily Reality can confirm that the dictionary has defined the words and phrases. However, while the majority of them (agbero, eba, japa, suya, etc.) were first published in December 2024, others (edo, kanuri, kobo, and yarn) were only updated with new meanings.

Dr Ugwuanyi, who played a significant role in the update, revealed that, in addition to drafting most of the words, he also provided their pronunciations. “When you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life,” he shared in a celebratory post on LinkedIn.

The newly added words reflect diverse aspects of Nigerian life, from everyday slang to cultural expressions. The list includes:

1. 419

2. abi

3. adire

4. agbero

5. area boy

6. cross-carpet

7. cross-carpeting

8. eba

9. Edo

10. gele

11. jand (noun, verb)

12. janded (adjective)

13. japa (noun, verb)

14. Kanuri

15. kobo

16. Naija

17. suya

18. yahoo

19. yahoo boy

20. yarn dust

Dr Ugwuanyi thanked Danica Salazar, the OED’s World Englishes editor, and the entire editorial team and encouraged Nigerians to share their favourite words from the list and suggest new ones for future updates.

Recall that the dictionary added 29 Nigerian words and phrases in 2020, and CNN reported that those were in addition to the at least 57 others already in the dictionary.

The Daily Reality is still compiling the definitions of the latest additions for easier access.

• Director: Muhammad Galadima
• Producer: Ali Saidu Worthme
• Company: Jammaje Productions
• Language: English
• Release Date: 26th December, 2023
• Cast: Hajara Yusuf, Magaji Mijinyawa, Abba Zaki, Billy O, Tijjani Faraga, Mustapha Musty, and others.

The Princess of Galma is another ‘Kannywood film in English’ from the promoter of the genre, Malam Kabiru Musa Jammaje, who has produced a few others before. The film was screened during an annual event, ‘Jammaje Day’, attended by hundreds of English language enthusiasts. Jammaje seems to have made the event a new way for showing his English movies as the attendees clearly make the audience he targets.

Despite its glorious title, The Princess of Galma is neither a historical drama nor an epic adventure. It’s a regal fiction set in a contemporary, fictitious kingdom, Galma, where King Ahmadu (Magaji Mijinyawa) suffers from a serious illness. The film begins with King Ahmadu’s illness, which caused widespread concern in the kingdom. His only daughter, Princess Nafisa (Hajara Yusuf), is deeply worried about her father’s deteriorating health condition. 

Meanwhile, the kingdom’s cabinet deliberates on the succession dilemma, as tradition dictates that the one who marries the princess inherits the throne. This makes Waziri (Tijjani Faraga), a cabinet member, send his son Sahabi to propose to the Princess. But she promptly rejects him despite his being a royal son and the most handsome young man in the Kingdom. The ensuing drama unveils Waziri’s struggle, the princess’s personal choice, and more…

Although the plot has its share of clichés, it maintains a reasonable flow, ensuring no dull moments throughout the story. But the screenplay runs too fast to a hasty finish. It would have been better if it had more scope, especially for Waziri’s secret schemes and the Princess, who suffers magic afflictions.

Beyond its regal and romantic themes, the film emphasises the healing power of prayers. We see how the prayers heal the king after everyone has begun to despair. It also highlights the prevailing theme of good triumphing over evil, as depicted in Sahabi’s loss of the princess despite his father’s magical attempt to acquire her. Besides, it also subtly addresses big security challenges in northern Nigeria.

The film also tries to be brim-full of cultural showcase but falls short of capturing the intrinsic value it truly deserves. It lacks the seriousness and dramatic intensity expected in a movie of its genre. The technical aspects are also average. A film like this should be carefully produced with a considerable budget to get the required impact. 

However, the English usage is generally flawless. The dialogue is captivating, and the actors deliver their lines remarkably. A few scenes were rendered entirely in the Hausa language, with others having lots of code-switching and mixing to accentuate comical effects and cultural representation.

On the other hand, all the actors try to pull off a good performance, especially Hajara Yusuf, who perfectly fits the role of Princess Nafisa and delivers her lines effectively. Abba Zaki leaves an impression in a brief role as the man of Nafisa’s dream. The scenes where he expresses his love for her captivate the most. Also, Billy O. gives a very real performance, similar to Malam Abdulhadi. The comic gestures he portrays get the audience laughing throughout.

Finally, The Princess of Galma qualifies as a worthy addition to Kannywood’s archive of English movies. It has little novelty but offers much to keep you glued to the screen. I commend the efforts of the director (Muhammad Galadima) and all the cast and crew members. Rating: 3/5.

Reviewed by Habibu Maaruf Abdu

habibumaaruf11@gmail.com

By Musa Touray

Africans who dwell on the torturous past of slavery and colonialism find it hard to recognise the essence of a language that has long transcended its original shores. Deepening one’s intellectual quest through the continually universalised medium of communication is, to them, an acknowledgement of superiority some users have attached to the language.

This popular warped perception has dampened our commitment to the pursuit of the English language in a world where minimal mastery of it is a marketable accomplishment. Striving to learn and apply the basics of the language is not only weighed down by dissuasive forces of mediocrity but the process is often mischaracterised as a showy obsession with ‘big English.’ It’s time we broke free from this notion and joined the rest of the world to maximise our understanding of a globally sought-after commodity.

English is an epilanguage in most, if not all, spheres of life—scholarship, extraterrestrial research, scientific studies, diplomacy etc. An epilanguage is used as a means of expression for some purpose, such as those highlighted above. Major scientific discoveries and breakthrough publications have been made in English, even by scholars who use it as a second language and do not have the littlest anthropological affiliation with its native speakers.

“(Proficiency in) English is not a measure of intelligence” has become a central assertion in a section of non-native users’ undervaluation campaign against the language. Unless there exists nuanced definitions of the word beyond me, expressing oneself in any language, not just in English, is itself intelligence.

A hostile follower on X, formerly Twitter, challenged a renowned public affairs analyst to use English and buy fuel if his love affair with words was beneficial. “You may not want to hear this, sir,” replied the analyst, “but I make a living by writing proficient English.” This response clarified for a man who fell under the category of those in oblivion about the language’s incomparable marketability in the contemporary world. “I am paid for producing grammatically-decent content,” he added. 

Using a language also means we should not hold the laws that govern it in contempt. As they obtain for man, rules ensure correct usage and fight off linguistic anarchy. This is one aspect most of us have ignored in making a living through the English language. For example, newspapers, a traditional platform for learning English, have become guilty of unforgivable solecisms.

The convenience of social media has given birth to a handful of commentators and self-styled journalists who exhibit a flagrantly terrible command of the language they choose to communicate. The urgent need to learn the basics of their preferred language is overshadowed by a desire to generate reactions and clout. With hundreds of thousands of followers, some pass off bruised grammar to an uncritical readership.

School-going enthusiasts of current affairs are bound to accept as grammatically flawless whatever they read in newspapers or press releases. This is supposed to be the case if the articles are subject to rigorous editorial scrutiny to establish facts and ensure that grammar rules are respected.

The growing popularity of English in non-anglophone domains is telling. While we continue to dismiss it as the colonisers’ tongue, others have recognised it as an indispensable language that serves transactional and communicative needs in ways and styles no other language does.

Musa Touray wrote from Sandu Kuwonku, The Gambia. He can be reached via musatouray970@gmail.com.

By Abdussamad Yahya Sufi

My Literature teacher cautioned me in secondary school to avoid using Pidgin English during communication. Mr. Ibrahim Bello would always tell me that using pidgin in the infancy of learning English would affect my budding standard English. Since then, I have never used it and always try to avoid it in writing and speaking.

Now that I’m at university, I have met different people from southern Nigeria who always use pidgin. At first, I feared what would happen to my infant English. However, later, I realised that I could still maintain the standard since they all understood standard English; they just chose not to use it.

During my first days at university, the pidgin speakers in my hostel irritated me the most. Everyone used the language, and I didn’t understand 80% of it. When someone talked to me, especially my roommates, I would ask them to translate what they said.

After a few days, many of the guys in the hostel noticed me and began teasing me, thinking I simply chose not to speak the language until they understood that I didn’t understand it. They started calling me ‘English Man,’ which didn’t bother me as I had heard such names before.

Some invited me to their rooms to tell me stories, and I never rejected that opportunity. I knew it would help me improve my English skills. When I told them stories, they paid attention and asked questions in good English, not bad pidgin. 

Honestly, that helped me build my public speaking skills, and I appreciate the guys for understanding me then, unlike before. Even when I meet any of them on campus now, they introduce me as the ‘English Man.’ to their friends, and they all speak good English while exchanging greetings.

I don’t mind being silly while learning; I don’t hide myself when interacting with my schoolmates and friends. They are my laboratory, where I practise what I have learned. Even if they laugh at me or call me names, I use those experiences to practise my learning skills.

Abdussamad Yahya Sufi wrote via abdussamadsufi744@gmail.com.

By Abdurrahman Muhammad

David Roger Jowitt, the renowned British professor of Nigerian English, who had lived in Nigeria for six decades and became a citizen in 2023, died yesterday after a brief illness.

Professor Jowitt was an academic and an author. His books, Nigerian English and Common Errors in English, are some of the best on the subject. He had reportedly been working on his memoir before his death.

He also taught at Bayero University, Kano, University of Jos, among many other institutions across the country.

By Abdurrazak Mukhtar

Introduction:

In the face of adversity, some individuals find the strength to rise above their challenges and achieve greatness. Such is the remarkable story of one individual who refused to let failure define them. Despite enduring twelve failed attempts at obtaining credit in English for their SSCE, they persevered, eventually mastering the language and becoming a mentor for HND and degree students. This story is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of perseverance and the unyielding spirit that can lead to incredible accomplishments.

The Will to Succeed:

Life has a way of testing our determination; for this individual, the English language became their ultimate hurdle. Year after year, they faced disappointment as the elusive credit seemed just out of reach. But instead of succumbing to despair, they summoned the courage to keep trying. Their unyielding will to succeed became a driving force that fuelled their journey towards mastery.

The Turning Point:

After numerous setbacks, the individual refused to let failure define them. Instead, they embraced the challenge head-on, recognising that actual growth often arises from struggle. So, rather than giving up, they embarked on a relentless pursuit of knowledge and skill, dedicating countless hours to studying and honing their command of the English language.

The Power of Education:

With each setback came a valuable lesson. The individual began to understand that learning is a lifelong journey and that education extends far beyond the walls of a classroom. They sought guidance from mentors, devoured books and resources, and immersed themselves in the intricacies of the English language. Slowly but steadily, their proficiency began to improve.

From Struggle to Mentorship:

The incredible twist in this story lies in the individual’s transformation from a struggling learner to a mentor for others. First, through their perseverance and hard work, they developed a unique insight into the challenges faced by students grappling with English. Then, armed with their own experiences, they became an inspiring guide, supporting and motivating HND and degree students in their pursuit of linguistic excellence.

Inspiring Others:

As this individual continued to impact the lives of others, their story became a beacon of hope for those who had lost faith in their abilities. They showed that failure does not define one’s potential but serves as a catalyst for growth. Furthermore, their remarkable journey instilled in others the belief that success is attainable with unwavering dedication and an unrelenting spirit.

Conclusion:

The story of this extraordinary individual serves as a testament to the power of perseverance. Despite repeated failures, their unwavering determination to conquer the English language transformed their lives and inspired countless others. Furthermore, it teaches us that setbacks are not roadblocks but stepping stones to success. With the right mindset and an unyielding spirit, anyone can triumph over adversity and achieve their goals.

So, let this story remind you never to give up, no matter how challenging the journey may seem. Instead, embrace each failure as an opportunity for growth and keep moving forward. Your struggles today may become the source of inspiration for others tomorrow. Remember, the key to success lies within you.

By Bilyamin Abdulmumin

Days ago, a picture of a beer advert on a bus with the caption: “ba barasa a cikin wannan giyar” dramatically attracted public attention. First, it appears the translation was outright flawed. The English direct translation may read thus: the alcohol doesn’t intoxicate.

Every native or one conversant with Hausa would find it difficult to wrap his head around this Hausa translation. So, some think it was out of the sheer cheap labour that the South African wine industry relied on the online translator to land them into the translation comatose. It might also be the usual case of giving the advert to the wrong agent or hiring a non-native to advertise the product.

Forget it; even if you are a professor in a particular language but happen to be not native or brought up in that typical language culture you will end up harming the advert than promoting it. One such advert that went wrong recently was that of one famous company, which read: “ko wanne zubawa, muhimmanci da ya wuce gwaji”. The equivalent English version read, “Every drop treasure beyond measure” What a rape to language!

As promoters of products, one can never dare associate the advert with alcohol in Hausa or any Islamic land; else, the result will be a mass exodus from the product. The brewing companies are still recuperating from the wound their Maltina product suffered because the same company is producing it as beer.

One factor that even fans the fire of controversy is that alcohol, beer/wine, and intoxicants are used interchangeably as the same thing: giya/barasa. So it becomes meaningless to try to separate one from another: that is to say, the beer contains no alcohol, alcohol is not intoxicated, or the alcohol is non-drunken. In the Hausa language, as long as it is alcohol there is nowhere to turn around.

Notwithstanding, are alcohol, ethanol, beer/wine, and intoxicants the same or different?

Alcohol is a general term referring to any organic compounds with OH functional groups. Therefore, any organic chemical with -OH in its makeup is alcohol. Examples of alcohol (alkane series) are methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, and the list goes on…. Alcohol has been a subject of controversy, no thanks to one of its family members: ethanol.

This controversial member: ethanol, is composed of two carbon, six hydrogens, and one oxygen; because of the presence of OH (hydrogen bonding) in its makeup, ethanol enjoys a wide range of applications. It is next to water as a global solvent. In addition, where water fails in industrial application, ethanol as an organic chemical (with carbon in its makeup) swoops in.

The industries where ethanol easily finds its way include Pharmaceuticals, several medicines you can’t do without today owe themselves to ethanol; Paint Industry, where your favourite paint can’t exist without ethanol; Fragrances, ethanol, not water is the solvent for making many perfumes; the Medicinal Properties, ethanol is a death sentence to microorganisms so when next used sanitiser, know that ethanol is that potent content; Bakery Industries, yeast is used in the bakery to give the bread desired quality as a result of ethanol and carbon dioxide as a by-product; Electrical Repair, ethanol is used as spirit, take your gadget for repairs they use ethanol for cleaning; Oil and Gas, perhaps the most economical part of ethanol use is when employing as fuel, depending on the purity, ethanol can be used as complement or substitution to transportation fuel (PMS); Brewing Industry, now the most controversial part of ethanol is when used as a drink, such as beer or wine. In beer, starch, e.g. corn or maize starch, is acted upon by appropriate enzymes and yeast industrially to produce beer. In a similar passion, fruit instead of starch is used in winemaking. Ethanol in brewing is the most dominant public knowledge, so it has become synonymous with alcohol (even among native English speakers).

The beer and wine produced conventionally contain up to 15 per cent of ethanol. This percentage is quite enough to intoxicate the drinker. Islam has outrightly forbidden taking intoxicants, such as beer and wine. The consequence for the global brewing industries is that they can only bite their fingers to watch a market of a staggering 1.5 billion people impossible to penetrate. So this became the mystery brewing industry struggled to crack. They finally get a catch.

Because the prohibition in Islam said intoxicants, so by this view, the brewing industries can design beer and wines that contain quantities of ethanol that is not enough to intoxicate a drinker, making beer and wine halal. Some Islamic countries like Malaysia have already nodded to this explanation by setting 1 % ethanol as a limit. Perhaps this was the intention of the South African wine advert on the bus.

On the other hand, the ethanol prevalence is more than what we could imagine; we are as indispensable as ethanol is concerned. Because the enzymes, yeast, and starch/sugar necessary to make ethanol are ubiquitous and, by extension, the ethanol itself. The cups, plates, our hands, and system you are using currently to read this article are a community of microorganisms; among them are the saccharifying enzymes and yeast. So with food readily available in the form of rice (rice), kunu, zobo, pieces of bread, fruits, etc., the right contact is just required to get the ethanol. Fura is the breeding ground for ethanol. The longer the “fura da nono” takes (without refrigeration), the higher the quantity of ethanol will be in it. But this passive ethanol prevalence is non-intentional.

Bilyamin Abdulmumin is a Public Affairs commentator and a Doctoral candidate at the Department of Chemical Engineering, ABU Zaria.