Nigerian street language is one vital thing you need to know if you must survive in the hustling and bubbling of the country. There are many local languages spoken which includes Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Efik, Ibibio, Izon and so on. There are also local dialects spoken apart from the major languages.
Other local dialects from Yoruba includes Egba, Ijesha, Ijebu, Owo and so on are a bit different from the widely spoken Yoruba. The Igbos in Abakaliki, Ikwerre and other places has dialect different from the main Igbo. Pidgin English is another common lingua franca in Nigeria. Despite all these languages, there are several words coined from the languages used in the street. This I refer to as ‘’Street Language’’. It is used to decode information and raise the vibes among its speakers.
YORUBA STREET LANGUAGES
The Southwestern part of Nigeria has Yoruba widely spoken by its indigenes. Lagos, a major city in Africa has most of the Yoruba street language spoken. These are the words spoken in places such as bus stops, ghettos, markets and other public place. The politicians also use some of these terms to relate with the people especially during their campaigns. Some of the words are a combination of English and Yoruba or plain Yoruba language. Some of the words used and their meanings are;
Gbera – It means ‘to be on the move’
Chikodi/Chinaza – a word of Igbo origin used to mean ‘beat recklessly’
Eja – literally means fish but used in the street to mean ‘weed’
Japa– It means ‘no slacking’
Ji Masun– literally means to be awake; it is used to say ‘to be alert’
O sha pra pra– a word used to mean ‘something is on point, updated and trendy’
Ojo– literally means ‘day’ but it is used in the street to mean ‘police’
Ture– It means ‘to flee, run away’
Tuale- it is used to show respect or greetings.
Gbe body eh– to lift your body, don’t be slow.
IGBO STREET LANGUAGES
The people of the Southeastern part also have their own coined street language. The people who speak Igbo are found in the cities of Awka, Nnnewi, Aba, Onitsha, Nsukka, Enugu, Owerri, and Abakaliki and so on. The street languages are popular in the markets, bus stops, stadiums, bars and other public place. Few of the Igbo indigenous street words are as follows;
Agwo ndu/aka ewu- it used to say ‘fake’
Bocha– it means ‘to flee’
Gbowa door– it means ‘run away’
Gbara Ogwu gi nuo– a sarcasm meaning ‘to use your drugs’
Kuopa – means ‘to relax’
Jogodo- means ‘to smoke’
Nwanne Kupu- it means ‘my friend forget’ when arguing on an issue.
The Nigerian Pidgin English also has several words decoded. It takes a person in the locality where it is spoken to decipher the words used. ‘Crash’ is used to mean ‘sleep’, ‘Die it’ is used to say ‘Forget it’, ‘who goes you/there’ is used by the Niger-Deltans to say ‘who is there’ and ‘Jones’ to mean ‘someone is out of point’.
The list of street languages used in Nigeria is endless. You can gladly drop yours in the comment space for others to learn.