Nigerian Pidgin English: Learn From A Nigerian

You probably heard of it from someone and wondered what language is this. well, it’s called Nigerian Pidgin English an alternatively-written version of the English language otherwise known as Broken English pronounced Brokun in Nigeria, the simple informal vernacular Language spoken by all in the country.

Do you want to learn a few words of Nigerian pidgin English? This post will teach you some words in Nigerian pidgin English, their meaning, and how to apply them in everyday conversation. Read On!

Nigerian pidgin English is the simplest and commonest form of communication in the country, children, youths, and aged speak it so fluently without any formal learning.

Interestingly, some speak pidgin English adding interesting Nigerian slang to it, which makes it sound so appealing to the listener….hehe. Can’t ignore the fact that some states in the country speak it even more entertaining with their accent and intonation.

Though Nigerian pidgin English hasn’t been granted official status in Nigeria But we no send (we don’t care) Our great-grandparents have been speaking our beloved Brokun and we even love it more.

Even Google identifies and takes part in this interesting language, by launching a Nigerian pidgin English search interface in 2011, so searches can be made in Nigerian pidgin

Introduction To Nigerian Pidgin English

Nigerian Pidgin English is a creole language that developed in Nigeria as a means of communication between people who speak different languages. It is based on English but has simplified grammar and a large number of loanwords from various Nigerian languages. Nigerian Pidgin English is spoken by millions of people in Nigeria, particularly in urban areas, and is also used in neighboring countries such as Ghana and Cameroon. It has a rich history that is closely tied to the history of colonialism and the development of Nigeria as a country.

Pidgin languages, including Nigerian Pidgin English, developed as a means of communication between people who did not share a common language. In the case of Nigeria, this included traders, European colonizers, and slaves who were brought to Nigeria from various parts of Africa. Over time, Nigerian Pidgin English developed into a fully-fledged language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural significance.

Today, Nigerian Pidgin English is an important part of the country’s linguistic landscape and is widely spoken and understood. It is also an important vehicle for the transmission of cultural values and ideas and is used in a variety of social settings including the media, music, and literature.

Different Speaking Intonation of Nigeria Pidgin English

With about 250 or more ethnic groups in Nigeria, Nigerians utilize their native tongue to speak pidgin English.

For instance:

Yoruba people use Abi, and Sebi when speaking pidgin
Igbo people use Nna Mhen, and Una when speaking pidgin
Hausa uses Haba, Ba, and Ko when speaking pidgin

With listed words not escaping a sentence from their mouth while speaking tells how easy it’s to dey yarn our Brokun .

As spoken widely by many tribes/ethnic groups in the country, we can’t deny the fact that some regions in the country speak so fluently, These people add another form of pleasing to the ears when speaking Nigerian pidgin English, they have a way of spicing the pidgin with their killer slang and tonation. All hail the mighty Warri people! Their Brokun English-speaking tones alone give them the swag needed to survive in the country.

Learn A Few Words Of Nigerian Pidgin English

If only job interviews in Nigeria were conducted in pidgin English Everybody for get work (Everyone would be employed).
Our Naija pidgin has been a lifesaver when oyinbo grammar (official English) fails us.
We’ve never been to class to study pidgin yet our scores no be here (the best) even our Ajebo (rich kids) don’t often want to speak it but wen u make dem vex ( annoy them) they will surely prove that you dey mental (you’re crazy)
In an angry scene, you will hear words like:
U dey craze? (are you mad) usually, the response always equates to more drama……hehe.
When Nigerian friends speak Nigerian pidgin English you hear words like:
Oboy how far na (how are you) The friend responds I dey (am fine)
The first friend goes Wetin dey na ( Whats happening) the friend responds I just dey (am all good)
First friend again where u dey (where are you) respond I dey house dey watch ball (am home watching football)
The first friend okay na later (alright later) response okay na (alright)

It is worth noting that the same word may have different meanings and depends on the mood of the people having the conversation, for instance, the same word could be taken as a joke and an offensive word, but it just boils down to the conversation setting.

Recently top News websites like KONTRINEWS and BBC pidgin have diverse into Nigerian pidgin news reporting, giving readers the latest Tori (story) in sports, Education, and politics in Nigerian Pidgin English.

This ensures that information is accessible to people who may not speak or read the dominant language of a country. This is especially important for people who may not have access to education or who may be marginalized or disadvantaged in some way. Reported news in pidgin that people understand, helps to empower them and keep them informed about what is happening in their community and beyond

You see Pidgin Headlines like Today Tori (today story), Amebo Jist (Gossip gist), As e Dey Hot (Hottest news), and so on in Nigeria. pidgin is not just a way of communication, but a heritage and identity to Nigerian and neighboring west African countries.

Conclusion

One doesn’t really need a crowd to learn Nigerian pidgin, just a regular interaction with a fluent pidgin speaker, while conversing pay attention to pronunciation, stresses, pauses, tone of voice, and body language of the speaker, this is important to help you identify single words with different meaning and their application while speaking, in no time your Brokun English speaking will improve. Also, while learning, always looks out for trending Nigerian slang and know its meanings, this could make you more sociable and approachable, though the trending Nigerian slang trend and fades over time but still remains a relevant phrases added to Nigerian Pidgin.

Thanks for reading. Let me know in the comment section which Pidgin word you’ve learned or want to learn!