It’s not a hidden fact that Nigerians often mix up words. We earlier posted about some grammatical errors that Nigerians make. As much as we are unique in our own way as Nigerians there are still some corrections and mistakes we are to take note of.
These groups of words are often heard and used in university settings. Nigerian university students or Nigerian Secondary School.
A regular english speakers refer to the word Offer as; present or proffer (something) for (someone) to accept or reject as desired. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary to Offer means to present for acceptance or rejection; to declare one’s readiness or willingness; to present in performance or exhibition.
However, native Nigerian English speakers, say for instance “As a student during my university days, i offered history as a core course.” Which according to the above definition is WRONG!. According to this sentence it means the speaker (the student) presented the course (history) to the university for acceptance or rejection.
Meanwhile, the speaker (student actually meant that he was the one receiving the offer.
The speaker is supposed to say “As a student during my university days, i took history as a core course.” This sentence structure means that the student accepted The universities offer of history as a core course and he took it.
Nigerian native english speakers often use the term customer to refer to someone who they buy something from or who they sell to.
However, according to Merriam Webster dictionary; A customer means someone that purchases a commodity or service.
Think of a Nigerian market setting, everyone (myself included) falls for this mistake; you walk up to your regular merchant, what do you refer to him as? “My customer!”. He responds back with “Ah my customer”
You see what just happened here; both the buyer and seller refereed to each other as ‘customer’. Meanwhile, the only person that supposed to be referred to as customer is the person buying from the merchant.
According to the dictionary the word Pass out means; to lose consciousness; become unconscious;
Well, most Nigerians often use this word to mean having to finished from NYSC or sometimes university, secondary school.
This grammar is actually correct in some instances but depending on who the person is talking to. While Nigerian was colonized by the British it is expected that the grammar we use comes from what they say. So while in British to pass out means; to leave a military college after successfully finishing the course.
If you do find yourself speaking to a brit or someone from that area who may understand, it’s okay to use this term.
However when speaking to an American or a foreigner who has only come across those from the US its advisable to use a term which they would understand and not misinterpret them.
English is generally complicated and can be twisted. No one is perfect with their english, but it is okay to know the right words and ways to use them o avoid miscommunications.
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Lmaoooooo This is so accurate.