This morning, I decided to casually scroll through my page to review the posts I published last month. This is something I do once in a while to keep track of my improvement as a content creator.
While doing it this morning, I came across this post, How long is too long to learn a foreign language?, which I published just a week ago. For some reason, the thought of how I still don't know many Nigerian languages started bugging me.
I love languages and I've tried to learn some Asian languages for a while. It's not very easy to do any of that, but it was fun and I enjoyed the experience while it lasted. I'm sure it will be a lot easier to learn Yoruba or Hausa or any other native Nigerian language (aside from Igbo which I already know cuz it's my native language), but I just haven't shown any intent to do so.
I have to acknowledge the fact that I've had multiple opportunities to learn other native Nigerian languages.
An opportunity to learn Hausa
Hausa is one of the top 3 most popular languages in Nigeria. It is the language of the Hausas who are the dominant tribe in the northern part of Nigeria.
My opportunity to learn Hausa came when I was serving my country as a Youth Corper. I spent a great part of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021 in the northern part of Nigeria which is dominated by the Hausas. Being in a place like that was a sure opportunity to relate with the Hausas.
As a Cross-cultural lad, I had a good time in the region and I learned a thing or two about their lifestyle, but I didn't even try to learn the language. You know, there is a great difference between 'tried but failed' and 'not trying at all. The latter best describes me.
This was a bit of a surprise because I was posted to serve in the marketing unit of a commercial bank in the city of Jos, Plateau state.
If you know anything about marketing, you will understand how crucial communication can be. To crown it all, most of these people are in love with their native language and some of them would not cut slack for anyone that chooses to converse with them in English.
I wasn't bothered. I approached each discussion with English. After spending a whole year in Hausa land, the Hausa words I subconsciously picked up are food, money and come.
An opportunity to learn Yoruba
During my days at University, I got in touch with people who are either Yoruba or good in the language. Despite being in touch with such people, I didn't attempt to pick up any word in the language from them. Now, I'm living in Yoruba land. Will this be my moment? 🤫
Due to my desire to also live amid the Yorubas and learn stuff about their lifestyle and co, I relocated to the southwestern part of Nigeria in September 2021. This area is dominated by the Yorubas and their culture is phenomenal. They also love their language to the t. Haha.
The first week I spent here, it was so hard to get radio programs that were anchored in English. After a while, I stopped trying to tune in to radio stations. It's not so much of a surprise though because it's pretty much the same in other regions, but when you go to Igboland, there are only a handful of programs that were fully anchored in Igbo. This made me jealous of how other regions hold their language in high esteem.
I've spent 6 months here and without making effort, I already know the Yoruba words for come and money. I may still pick up two more words before bidding farewell to Nigeria.
After reading thus far, I'm sure the popular opinion would be that I should be making the most of these opportunities to learn these languages. I would have likely said the same to any other person in my shoes, but I understand why I'm in this situation where I can't even do the bare minimum as far as other native nigerian languages are concerned.
It's always attributed to my intent. I love these languages, but learning them was not part of my plan. At the moment, every time I talk with the Hausas I met when I was in Hausa land or the Yorubas I'm currently relating with, we always interact in English.
The fact that I can fully enjoy the experience of living in the midst of people from a different tribe without feeling so different because of the notable difference in language is one of the things that gives me confidence to travel to any part of the world.
Even if I decide to learn any language, it won't be a big deal. I'm very quick with these things. It just has to be a language I'm interested in learning.
Thanks For Not Missing Any Full-stop Or Comma
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Additional image is mine.
Also published here.