Big Grammar and the Mis-Educated Nigerian | Featured Artiste: Olufunmi

When people do comedy skits of educated people in Nigeria, especially if the subject of the joke is a lawyer (or aspiring lawyer), the comedians usually feature the said subject mis-using big words.  Unfortunately, this is not limited to skits;  it plays out very often in real life.  During my short stint at UNILAG, it irritated me to no end to see my fellow classmates on the "wig-and-gown" track using big big grammar to make points they could make just as easily with simple words.  But, are they to blame? 


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For as long as I can remember, Nigerians seem to have an inexplicable romance with the dictionary.  Actually, scratch that.  Africans (especially West Africans) are guilty of this too, leading me to suspect it is another form of "kolo-mentality" a.k.a negative effects of colonialism. The unspoken message that was pumped into our brains was that the more educated (and intelligent) you were, the wider your command of the English language should be.  Using complex words, albeit out of context, was basically a way of showing off how much you knew, how intelligent you were, and how educated you were.  WRONG!!!


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Fast-forward to schooling here in the US, I discovered that communication was what was more important.  In order to communicate with your audience, you need to understand your audience in the first place.  If for example, you are addressing a group of secondary school students, using big words might win their admiration, but most of them will not understand you.  You might want to reserve your arsenal of complex and confusing words for people who will appreciate and understand you.  Otherwise, if your audience does not understand you, you have NOT communicated, and have just wasted your time.


Moreover, using big grammar unnecessarily, is a tell-tale symptom of:
  • Major insecurities and the need to prove something to others; and
  • Serious mis-education
Just as an example, instead of saying flabbergasted, why not just say surprised or shocked? Will people respect you any less for using a simpler and more widely used term? I don't think so.  So, my own two cents is this: Aim to Communicate with your audience using simpler words.  That will take you further than any yeye "big grammar." 


I rest my case.

Featured Artiste: Olufunmi


Olufunmi is one of those artistes I wish would record more often.  She is not a newcomer to the Nigerian gospel music scene, and has collaborated with several other artistes.  Notably, she sang alongside TY Bello on her Ekundayo track and also appeared in the video for the same song.  But, I have not heard much from her since then.


Olufunmi / ReverbNation
Her song, Oluwa oni dehin, was one of the first songs that introduced me to this artiste back when I lived in Nigeria.  This was (and still is) my favorite song on that tape (It is on Side B). So, imagine my joy when I discovered that she had uploaded it to her ReverbNation page! Ladies and gentlemen, I present "Oluwa oni dehin" to you.  Listen and enjoy!





THE REVIEW


Likes:  The intro with the drums and then the guitar and keyboard? I LOVE the sequence and arrangement, and the instrumentation and beats give the song this relaxing, laid-back, classic feel that reminds me of highlife music, for some reason.  The song flows smoothly along like water, at a fairly slow pace allowing Olufunmi (and the background vocalists) to take time to dwell on the lyrics. At 3:54, the timing is good, and the song ends abruptly, but you'll want to replay it over and over again. 


Dislikes:  After all these years of listening to this song (on cassette tape mostly), I still have to say that the background vocals sound somewhat off-key, i.e, the vocals do not blend very well. However, an argument can be made that in spite of this disadvantage, they are well-paired with the drums.  Plus the recording, which is at least 10 years old, sounds slightly muffled.   


Recommendations:  Re-record the song to allow the background vocals blend together properly and balance the parts more evenly (2) Record in a better studio.


Here is some more information on Olufunmi:


Artiste's Stage Name: Olufunmi

Artiste's Real Name: Olufunmi Olajoyegbe

Connect with Olufunmi:  Facebook  

Listen to more music from Olufunmi: ReverbNation

Have a superb week o!

You are very correct with this observation and colonial mentality is part of the problem. Try reading some newspaper columns, online articles or even some Nigerian blogs and you can't get past the first paragraph without the help of a dictionary. You then begin to wonder if any serious thought was given to their intended audience or where they just writing for themselves.

I also think our educational system has a lot to answer for as to why we have raised a generation of people with a misguided understanding of communication.
Until we begin to teach our young people how to read/write in simple plain English and also an appreciation of our local languages, then unfortunately the 'big grammar' mentality is sure to continue for a long time.

Nnaija4life

Communication is the most important thing. If you are not communicating, you are on a long thing. One also needs to understand the mindset of the audience one is speaking to

Yeah! I fell in love with Olufunmi's music when I heard 'Oluwa Oni dehin' years ago. She featured in a track on PITA's album which was released last year.

Lmao what Francis Bacon would like to call... Idols of the marketplace.

I don't understand, from politicians to news casters everyone is on that big word hype.

I haven't been in Nigeria for a couple of years now and a couple days I was watching the Houston Nigerian TV and it just so happened that they started showing Nigerian news straight from Naija. As soon as the anchor lady began to speak I felt like I might be in need of a dictionary because some words she used I grasped and some just gave me a migraine and some that I grasped actually confused me as well because I could have sworn that that was not how that word was supposed to be used.

You have said nailed it well. I just don't understand why people do that. There was a guy i named "Peruse" because of this lol.
One of the first and most important lesson i was taught in effective communication is KISS: Keep it Short and Simple.

Blessings.......



While
I think you make some fair points because I too have encountered
Caribbean/African/Canadian people who use "big" words inappropriately
and embarrassingly in the wrong context however the other perspective is that
once one has expanded their reading to include many genres/subjects, education
i.e. by the default improved/new vocabulary is automatically integrated into
ones way of speaking and expressing oneself without trying to come off
bourgeoisie, arrogant and entitled. There is nothing wrong with growth,
self-improvement or self-elevation as long as it’s not about the denigration of
others and putting people in their “presumed” place.

Thought provoking post...
Keep it coming.

Stay blessed.
Rhapsody




Blessings.......



While
I think you make some fair points because I too have encountered
Caribbean/African/Canadian people who use "big" words inappropriately
and embarrassingly in the wrong context however the other perspective is that
once one has expanded their reading to include many genres/subjects, education
i.e. by the default improved/new vocabulary is automatically integrated into
ones way of speaking and expressing oneself without trying to come off
bourgeoisie, arrogant and entitled. There is nothing wrong with growth,
self-improvement or self-elevation as long as it’s not about the denigration of
others and putting people in their “presumed” place.

Thought provoking post...
Keep it coming.

Stay blessed.
Rhapsody

Naija4Life: What you have said is true.  If the authors of these articles even remotely cared about their readers, they would try to use simpler words.  So, I have to agree with you that it looks like they are writing for themselves.

Your last paragraph gives serious food for thought.  And it raises a few questions e.g. Could it be that young people are not interested in learning our native languages because they view our culture in a negative light? Or do we just blame it on Western influence? Questions needing answers.

Atilola: Certainly.  Communication is the "koko." If you consider the mindset of your audience, I think you're on the right track, and you'll be more careful to make sure you "speak" the language they understand.

GospelGossips:  Aha! And I thought I was the only one who had discovered that song years ago.  It's nice to meet someone else who is familiar with Olufunmi's music from back then.  Yes, she is on PITA's "As I Am" album.  The track is called "Ebamirababa."  And I know this because .... Well, I own a copy of the album! LOL! 

Nollywood Reinvented:  Idols, shey? *smh* You're right, as per you can find this Big grammar hype in every sphere of life.  At least, among those who speak English.  

Wait, what is Houston Nigerian TV? Never heard of it.  Sounds like you experienced a mild case of "Cram-Big-Grammar-down-the-viewers-throats."   Or maybe I should say ears? If you think you need a dictionary to understand a news broadcast, you know there's a problem o. 

Toin: KISS is the perfect thing to keep in mind for effective communication. LOL at "Peruse." Did he carry around a dictionary with him? Or forced you to use one after conversations? LOL!

Rhapsody:  Blessings to you too! I am glad you mentioned Caribbean people in this context because then the colonialism issue makes sense.  I understand what you mean about expanding your vocabulary simply because you have learned more.  I mean, that is one of the benefits of education, right?  What I am criticizing though is the need to use complex words, improperly sometimes, and often out of context to "communicate" with people.  I believe opting for simpler words is more effective and you can reach more people that way.  I agree -->>> Using grammar to "put" people in their "presumed" place is a no-no.

Thanks for the compliments by the way :-)

I remember during my NYSC, I was invited to a welcome reception for a man who just returned from the US after studies. After the guy gave his thank you speech, some people were whispering at the back that he didnt sound like someone who went to school because they understood what he said. They expected him to speak big grammer. Oh well.

Okeoghene00

Hi Relentless Builder,

You have been tagged. Please go to my blog for details. Thank you

Okeoghene00

Big grammer always amuses me, because it just makes sense to look for the easiest way to say something, so that whoever you are talking to understands, i use english , pidgin, yorube  freely depending on who it is i am speaking to, i never was one to use big grammer, i don't have the strength jare..on another note, i love Olufunmi, i have been to several concerts where she has ministered.

India has taught me a lot of communication lessons...in the beginning I always wondered why the average India would rather speak this local dialect that Hindi or English. It all boils down to the other party understanding your message.

I usually have to speak extra ordinarily slow for them to understand my nonsense English.

Okeoghene:  Thank you so so much for tagging me.  I will definitely give you a heads up when I tackle those questions *sweating bullets already*

Okeoghene:  So because the guy did not blow big grammar he was considered illiterate or at least not well-educated.  We need to dis-abuse our minds of this mentality o. This experience you narrated really put this issue in perspective.  No wonder folks will go and be accumulating random words and be on the defensive because of this type of mindset.  #Sad

Jemima:  Yes, being multi-lingual (Yoruba, English, Pidgin sef) is definitely a plus, and will help you communicate better.  LOL at not having the strength for big grammar.  I don't blame you o jare.  So you've seen her perform live? I would love that opportunity one day too.  One day sha ...

Larrah:  I really appreciate your perspective, as per living India and being able to see the similarities between what I was discussing above, and what you've personally experienced.  Communication is definitely the key here, and it is frustrating to watch someone have a conversation with himself while he thinks he is making sense to another person.  LOL at speaking slowly.  Sounds a lot like me over here, except that I am speaking with Americans who speak English.  But I might as well be speaking another language, thanks to my Naija accent :-)

Phew! Been trying to understand how to post my comments using this Disqus (and been 'outing' myself in za process smh). Anywayz, I totally agree with you- i've observed it too, Some weeks ago I attended a seminar where the experts were like, 'people are not interested in the big words or field jargon. If you are not ready to talk clearly and simply, then they are not ready to listen, simple'. We (Nigerians) will understand this soon.

Northern Girl: Sorry about Disqus acting up. Thankfully, I have disabled it, and hopefully that will make your life (and that of other readers easier). I miss it though :-(

I doubt that Nigerians will understand this soon. That mindset is still very firmly in place. There is just a disconnect somewhere. But thanks for sharing the info from the seminar. It totally makes sense, especially in this context.

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