Education
Common errors in English Language you and your teacher don’t notice
The major effect of this mother tongue interference in the use of English that is tagged Nigerianism, in this context,is that it makes us Nigerians deviate from the Standard British English and makes most our sentences ungrammatical or even meaningless.
One of the aspects of Nigerianism in the use of English is REDUNDANCY.Redundancy is an unnecessary repetition in sentence constructions.
Some examples are:
Reverse back instead of reverse
Rise up for prayer instead of Rise for prayer
Raise up your hand instead of Raise your hand
Voice out instead of voice
The examples are obvious as the redundant words can be easily identified even by students in the secondary school level.
However,there are some other ones that are used for interactions and we do not often accept them as cases of redundancy.
I have heard QUACK DOCTOR even in Nigerian movies.
A quack is someone who pretends to be a doctor.The word “doctor” is redundant as quack can only be used to imply a fake doctor.
The expressions MEDICAL DOCTOR &MEDICAL CHECK-UP are both cases of redundancy as the word medical is redundant in the two phrases.
Check-up is a general medical examination that a doctor or a dentist gives someone to make sure the person is healthy.
Another aspect of redundancy is GET UP.People tend to say,
I got up very late from the bed.
Get up means to get out of the bed after sleeping.It is obvious that saying,
I got up at 7am,refers to the bed.
It is just like telling someone this,
You frowned your face yesterday.
We all know that only the face can be frowned in the body.
Say,
You frowned yesterday.
What about this?
I waved my hand to the soldiers.
Wave means to raise one’s arm and move one’s hand from side to side in order to make someone notice one.
The appropriate expression should be:
I waved to the soldiers
Other aspects of redundancy will be revisited in the subsequent editions.
Another interesting aspect of Nigerianism occurs in meaning.There are lots of deviations from the original meanings of some words due to our usages in Nigeria.
We shall examine the following words:
Gist
Go slow
Buckle up
Catwalk
Gist is often used as a verb in expressions like
We gisted yesterday
We are gisting
We want to gist
Let’s gist
The four examples are grammatically incorrect.There are no expressions as GISTED, GISTING&TO GIST.
The word GIST only exists,for now,as a NOUN.
Gist,usually written as THE GIST,is the main idea and meaning of what someone has said or written.
You can say,
“Don’t worry about the details as long as you get the gist of it.
Also,you can say,
The gist of his argument is trustworthiness.
Another that has been given another meaning is GO -SLOW.
Go-slow is used today in relation to traffic.
Go-slow,however,is a protest against an employer in which the workers work as slowly as possible.
This means that go-slow occurs when there is a slowdown.It has nothing to do with TRAFFIC.
Traffic jam or hold up is the appropriate word.
Buckle up is often used to tell someone to be more serious.
A student can be told
You have to buckle up so as to do well in your examination.
Buckle up means to fasten your seat belt in a car,aircraft etc.
To tell someone to work harder,use the expression
Buckle down or Buck up
Catwalk is another word that is affected by Nigerianism.
You must have heard these:
Stop catwalking
She catwalked throughout yesterday.
The two sentences are incorrect.Do you know that catwalk is not a style of walk?
Catwalk is a long raised structure that MODELS walk along in a fashion show.
You can say,
The models walk majestically on the catwalk.
Apart from the words that have been given another meaning,do you know also that there are some expressions that are used today but do not exist in the Standard British English?
The following expressions are examples
Complimentary card
Sufferness
Quit notice
Deep freezer
Iced block
There is no such name as complimentary card. The appropriate word is BUSINESS CARD.
Sufferness is also common.Although it is peculiar to the low level users of the language.The appropriate word is SUFFERING.
Quit notice, if interpreted on the surface,implies quit the notice.
The appropriate word to use notice to quit.
Say,
The landlord issued a notice to quit the house.
Don’t say,
Deep freezer.
This name does not exist in English.The appropriate word is DEEP FREEZE/FREEZER.
The next expression is known nationwide.You might have seen this:
ICED BLOCK SOLD HERE.
Hmmmmmm.When we say “iced water”,it means that the water is iced.
For iced block,the block is never iced.
The appropriate expression is,
BLOCK OF ICE
you are respected when you speak and write well.Develop your use of English as it adds values to your various professions.
Moshood Abimbola Alabi
Stylisticians English Language School
14,Iwaya Road,Yaba,Lagos.
Tel:08033336265,08085044111
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Sahara Weekly Reports That Edutainment guru and Founder of The Big Break Moment Africa, Tayo Folorunsho (Teeflo), is set to launch his highly anticipated book, The Campus CEO, at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
The Campus CEO is a comprehensive guide for aspiring student entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the dynamic landscape of African entrepreneurship. Drawing from Folorunsho’s extensive decade-long experience working with various talents and luxury brands, the book offers invaluable insights, practical advice, and actionable strategies for success. The launch event will not only celebrate the release of this essential guide but also serve as a platform to recognize and honor his dedication and commitment to student eentrepreneursacross Nigeria.
Folorunsho, a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, has made significant contributions to the education and entertainment/creative industries. His initiatives have empowered numerous students from selected higher institutions with knowledge, skills, and platforms, fostering innovation and driving economic growth.
The Campus CEO promises to be an indispensable resource for any student entrepreneur seeking to make their mark. Packed with real-world examples and expert guidance, it is poised to become the go-to guide for navigating the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
Tayo Folorunsho has dedicated his career to fostering innovation and creativity within the Nigerian education and entertainment sectors. His work has profoundly impacted countless students, providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in the competitive world of business.
The launch event will also feature a Celebration of Life, a book presentation, and a project unveiling, highlighting Folorunsho’s ongoing commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs and his latest endeavors to further support student-led innovation and growth.
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Sahara Weekly Reports That All is now set for the much awaited Ikorodu School Summit and Awards 2024, scheduled to take place on Thursday November 28, 2024 at The Life Theological Seminary Center, Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria.
Chief Host:
Hon. Wasiu Ayodeji Adesina,
Executive Chairman,
Ikorodu Local Government Area
Speakers:
Keynote Speaker: Pastor Olufemi Adefolarin Oshin
Pastor is charge of RCCG, Jesus Partners Assembly, LP 98 – Eruwen, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Special Guest Speaker: Hon. Folashade Olabanji Oba
Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Guest Speaker: Mrs Owenaze Blessing Ella
Director, Unique Prella School, Ikorodu Lagos
Symposium: Lead Discussants
Princess Mulikat Fehintola Sanni, CEO, Mulifelong Motors
SP Ayuba Tunni Umma, PPRO Zone 2 Police Zonal Command, Onikan Lagos Nigeria
Pastor Prof. Durodola Olujide Ajani, Head of Schools, Dobar Group of Schools
Guests Of Honor:
Mr Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Lagos State Commissioner For Basic and Secondary Education.
Senator Mikhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA. lkorodu East Senatorial District
Hon. Babajimi Benson, Federal House Of Representatives, Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan, member Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikorodu constituency 1
Moshood Aro, Member Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikorodu State Constituency 2
Royal Father Of The Day:
HRM Oba Kebiru Adewale Shotobi
The AYANGBURE Of Ikorodu Kingdom
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The Ikorodu School Summit & Awards is aimed at bringing together all stakeholders, including the administrators, school proprietors, community leaders, teachers, students, religious leaders, government officials, parents, security agencies, etc, under the same atmosphere to address the root causes of moral decadence in the society.
Theme: Education Beyond The School
Classroom: Addressing The Root Causes Of Moral Decadence In The Society
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The summit will also recognize with awards deserving members of the society who have distinguished themselves by using their positions and resources to advance the development and advancement of education, and also those who have played excellent and exemplary role in building and developing the society.
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This linkage agreement will allow providing professional training and certification to our undergraduate students in the disciplines of Law, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, and Accounting.
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