Literature
Edwin Eriata Oribhabor, since he berthed on the literary sphere in Nigeria with the publication of his book Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem in the year 2011,has not relented in his quest to make Nigerians take Pidgin English seriously as a language of literary and general communication. He has been using the print, electronic and the social media to highlight the fact that what is generally known as Nigerian pidgin has since transformed to a standardised form that is now called the Naija Langwej. He has followed up his crusade by editing an anthology of poems in Naija Langwej, contributed to by writers from across the country, entitled If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin, which was presented to the public on 19th April, 2012, at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja. In this interview with Denja Abdullahi, Eriata Orhibhabor, who was born, raised and ?kpakod? in Warri, South-South Nigeria, and who works at the Department of Petroleum Resources, Abuja, as the Team Leader, Public Affairs Section, bares his mind on his passion for the promotion of Nigerian pidgin as a language of contemporary literary writings.
Why did you decide to become an advocate of writing in Nigerian Pidgin?
Nigerian pidgin is unarguably the most popular mode of communication in Nigeria. Available statistics from IFRA-Nigeria, and as mentioned at the last conference on Nigeria pidgin in Ibadan, Nigeria, 2009, more than 30 million Nigerians speak it. As a country of not less 140 million in population, with over 250 ethnic groups, Nigerian pidgin is a neutral bridge between the multi-ethnic people of Nigeria. Wherever Nigerians from different ethnic groups meet anywhere, they either communicate in English language or Nigerian pidgin. The growing popularity in the use of the language could be testified to in its usage in the media, arts and entertainment in Nigeria. It is the best alternative employed by blue chip companies to reach out to the mass of Nigerians in selling their products, programmes and policies. In the political front, politicians use it in soliciting for votes from Nigerians irrespective of ethnic background as well as in educating them on their programmes. Today, pidgin is used in prime events across the country and has gradually become a language of all whether low or high class. A very important angle to this is that, foreigners have identified this and are quietly keying in to effectively understand Nigerians.
Your book Abuja Na Kpangba, what is it all about?
The book Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem is a collection of poems in Naija langwej. The poems are highly philosophical and speak on a wide range of issues pertaining to life and living from the socio-economic and political perspectives. It was co-published by IFRA-Nigeria and myself in 2010.
How has the book been received since it was published?
Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem was widely reviewed in major newspapers across the country. Although it has not been formally presented to the public, it is gaining popularity within the literary community. The Abuja Literary Society (ALS), Abuja, helped in this regard by featuring me at her Book Jam event which held at the Silver Bird Galleria, Abuja, last year. Some days back, the Silver Bird Lifestyle Bookshop ran out of copies and called for my attention. Interestingly, most embassies in Abuja are already asking for copies which signposts the fact that the future is bright for Naija langwej literature.
What led you into this present project of editing an anthology of poems in Nigerian Pidgin, which you entitled
If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin? What is the book all about?
If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin is an anthology of poems originally written in Pidgin English by the contributing poets but translated to Naija langwej. This was made known to all poets because the project was essentially to promote the course of advancing Pidgin English into a recognisable and accepted form of literary communication. It is a culmination of efforts at popularising the Naija Langwej as a medium of writing among Nigerian writers. The anthology contains 93 poems written by 32 poets. The themes of the poems span all fields of human endeavour; love, politics, the environment, corruption and the Niger Delta discourse amongst others. It is expected that the anthology will definitely elevate the status of Naija from a low prestige and non-standard language to a high one.
Do you think the forthcoming book will make an impact on the reading public and the literary society?
Based on positive responses received so far on my first effort; Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem, I envisage the same for this book which is set to change the landscape of a neglected genre of Nigerian literature ? Nigerian Pidgin. If orders for my first book were received from abroad, I expect more for this book especially as it is an anthology. I also expect that the contributing poets will join in the vanguard of taking the message to the people and the literary society in Nigeria and overseas.
What is the difference between Nigerian Pidgin and Naija Langwej?
When various essential inputs from the multi-ethnic composition of Nigeria began to receive recognition in spoken Pidgin English in Nigeria, the language evolved into Nigerian Pidgin. Today, Nigerian pidgin is being developed into a Naija langwej backed by an orthography put together by Naija langwej Akedemi to guide the spellings of Naija words. By this development, the language status will be upped and it shall be accessible to all irrespective of race just like any other language. While Nigeria Pidgin was a Pidgin, Naija langwej is a language. You might say Pidgin is a language which is true but limited in scope in all ramifications and without orthography.
What would you say to the perception that the Nigerian Pidgin or Naija Langwej is not a language of serious discourse or communication?
In his review of this book, Segun Ozique said amongst others that, this book is ??an attempt to engage with the social order in an alternative discourse. That is, in presenting its subject matter which is ? Nigeria, its people and their unifying language ? within a Naija and, or, English as a state language space. What favours the principal position of the preferred language used for this collection is that English language is not the number one habitual language in majority of Nigerian homes and not the dominant medium of communication in the everyday play ground or trade but the Naija langwej named variously as ?pidgin? is. And so, in the struggle to contest the privileging discourse of making English the official institutional language, there is need to go beyond the simple counter-identification of encouraging the use of the three main Nigerian regional languages to an alternate discourse that can effectively argue directly for a construct of a Nigeria language.? The perception of some people is that, Nigerian pidgin is not a language of serious discourse or communication. This may be true if you look at it from the perspective of a standardised language backed by orthography. This is not going to be the case with Naija langwej because, it is a language like any other language.
Do you think Naija Langwej has any prospect of becoming a national lingua franca?
As a langwej backed by orthography, Naija langwej has great prospects in becoming an official lingua franca in Nigeria. More so, it is generally referred to as Nigeria?s un-official lingua franca.
People also say Nigerian Pidgin has no standard version. What would you say to this as I could see in your writings that you seem to be championing the adoption of a standardised orthography?
One of the outcomes of the last Conference of Nigerian Pidgin organised by IFRA-Nigeria was Naija langwej Akedemi which packaged orthography for Naija, a word coined at this conference. Why the word Naija you may want to ask. It is yet the most popular word or coinage for Nigeria whether for good or bad. Therefore, its adoption as the name of the new language was very appropriate. If you say, you speak Naija anywhere in the world, you will be understood perfectly. Even foreigners enjoy mentioning it.
You also write a weekly column for Leadership Newspaper promoting the Naija Langwej, what are the feedbacks you have been receiving since you started the column?
Since the debut of this column, the responses I have been receiving show that the language has a future in the literary world. As for every day speaking, we all know that the language is the most widely spoken. The only challenge has been that of a standardized spelling which the orthography is addressing.
What future role do you envisage for the Naija Langwej in our educational institutions and in the larger society?
IF Yu Hie Se A de Prizin will go places alongside Abuja na kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem and there is hope that they will become materials of study in higher institutions that offer courses in linguistics and African languages in Nigeria.
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- Promoting The Nigerian Pidgin English
The Nigerian Pidgin English has an ironic stigma that even language experts find difficult to understand. It is the most widely spoken language, the only unbiased lingua franca with interjections of many indigenous languages across the country, and it...
Literature
Nigerian pidgin, most popular mode of communication ? Oribhabor
Why did you decide to become an advocate of writing in Nigerian Pidgin?
Nigerian pidgin is unarguably the most popular mode of communication in Nigeria. Available statistics from IFRA-Nigeria, and as mentioned at the last conference on Nigeria pidgin in Ibadan, Nigeria, 2009, more than 30 million Nigerians speak it. As a country of not less 140 million in population, with over 250 ethnic groups, Nigerian pidgin is a neutral bridge between the multi-ethnic people of Nigeria. Wherever Nigerians from different ethnic groups meet anywhere, they either communicate in English language or Nigerian pidgin. The growing popularity in the use of the language could be testified to in its usage in the media, arts and entertainment in Nigeria. It is the best alternative employed by blue chip companies to reach out to the mass of Nigerians in selling their products, programmes and policies. In the political front, politicians use it in soliciting for votes from Nigerians irrespective of ethnic background as well as in educating them on their programmes. Today, pidgin is used in prime events across the country and has gradually become a language of all whether low or high class. A very important angle to this is that, foreigners have identified this and are quietly keying in to effectively understand Nigerians.
Your book Abuja Na Kpangba, what is it all about?
The book Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem is a collection of poems in Naija langwej. The poems are highly philosophical and speak on a wide range of issues pertaining to life and living from the socio-economic and political perspectives. It was co-published by IFRA-Nigeria and myself in 2010.
How has the book been received since it was published?
Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem was widely reviewed in major newspapers across the country. Although it has not been formally presented to the public, it is gaining popularity within the literary community. The Abuja Literary Society (ALS), Abuja, helped in this regard by featuring me at her Book Jam event which held at the Silver Bird Galleria, Abuja, last year. Some days back, the Silver Bird Lifestyle Bookshop ran out of copies and called for my attention. Interestingly, most embassies in Abuja are already asking for copies which signposts the fact that the future is bright for Naija langwej literature.
What led you into this present project of editing an anthology of poems in Nigerian Pidgin, which you entitled
If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin? What is the book all about?
If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin is an anthology of poems originally written in Pidgin English by the contributing poets but translated to Naija langwej. This was made known to all poets because the project was essentially to promote the course of advancing Pidgin English into a recognisable and accepted form of literary communication. It is a culmination of efforts at popularising the Naija Langwej as a medium of writing among Nigerian writers. The anthology contains 93 poems written by 32 poets. The themes of the poems span all fields of human endeavour; love, politics, the environment, corruption and the Niger Delta discourse amongst others. It is expected that the anthology will definitely elevate the status of Naija from a low prestige and non-standard language to a high one.
Do you think the forthcoming book will make an impact on the reading public and the literary society?
Based on positive responses received so far on my first effort; Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem, I envisage the same for this book which is set to change the landscape of a neglected genre of Nigerian literature ? Nigerian Pidgin. If orders for my first book were received from abroad, I expect more for this book especially as it is an anthology. I also expect that the contributing poets will join in the vanguard of taking the message to the people and the literary society in Nigeria and overseas.
What is the difference between Nigerian Pidgin and Naija Langwej?
When various essential inputs from the multi-ethnic composition of Nigeria began to receive recognition in spoken Pidgin English in Nigeria, the language evolved into Nigerian Pidgin. Today, Nigerian pidgin is being developed into a Naija langwej backed by an orthography put together by Naija langwej Akedemi to guide the spellings of Naija words. By this development, the language status will be upped and it shall be accessible to all irrespective of race just like any other language. While Nigeria Pidgin was a Pidgin, Naija langwej is a language. You might say Pidgin is a language which is true but limited in scope in all ramifications and without orthography.
What would you say to the perception that the Nigerian Pidgin or Naija Langwej is not a language of serious discourse or communication?
In his review of this book, Segun Ozique said amongst others that, this book is ??an attempt to engage with the social order in an alternative discourse. That is, in presenting its subject matter which is ? Nigeria, its people and their unifying language ? within a Naija and, or, English as a state language space. What favours the principal position of the preferred language used for this collection is that English language is not the number one habitual language in majority of Nigerian homes and not the dominant medium of communication in the everyday play ground or trade but the Naija langwej named variously as ?pidgin? is. And so, in the struggle to contest the privileging discourse of making English the official institutional language, there is need to go beyond the simple counter-identification of encouraging the use of the three main Nigerian regional languages to an alternate discourse that can effectively argue directly for a construct of a Nigeria language.? The perception of some people is that, Nigerian pidgin is not a language of serious discourse or communication. This may be true if you look at it from the perspective of a standardised language backed by orthography. This is not going to be the case with Naija langwej because, it is a language like any other language.
Do you think Naija Langwej has any prospect of becoming a national lingua franca?
As a langwej backed by orthography, Naija langwej has great prospects in becoming an official lingua franca in Nigeria. More so, it is generally referred to as Nigeria?s un-official lingua franca.
People also say Nigerian Pidgin has no standard version. What would you say to this as I could see in your writings that you seem to be championing the adoption of a standardised orthography?
One of the outcomes of the last Conference of Nigerian Pidgin organised by IFRA-Nigeria was Naija langwej Akedemi which packaged orthography for Naija, a word coined at this conference. Why the word Naija you may want to ask. It is yet the most popular word or coinage for Nigeria whether for good or bad. Therefore, its adoption as the name of the new language was very appropriate. If you say, you speak Naija anywhere in the world, you will be understood perfectly. Even foreigners enjoy mentioning it.
You also write a weekly column for Leadership Newspaper promoting the Naija Langwej, what are the feedbacks you have been receiving since you started the column?
Since the debut of this column, the responses I have been receiving show that the language has a future in the literary world. As for every day speaking, we all know that the language is the most widely spoken. The only challenge has been that of a standardized spelling which the orthography is addressing.
What future role do you envisage for the Naija Langwej in our educational institutions and in the larger society?
IF Yu Hie Se A de Prizin will go places alongside Abuja na kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem and there is hope that they will become materials of study in higher institutions that offer courses in linguistics and African languages in Nigeria.
- My Pen Is That Faceless Crusader Aiming For A Change - Salamatu Sule
SALAMATU SULE, a graduate of English and Literary Studies from the Kogi State University, Ayingba, is a multi-talented writer. She writes prose and poetry in both standard and Pidgin English. In this interview with SUMAILA UMAISHA, the imaginative writer,...
- Rhythms Of Life And Death
SUMAILA UMAISHA?s review of IFY OMALICHA?s collection of poems, Now that dreams are Born, published by Kraftgriots, 2011, p.141. The Nigerian literary scene is fast becoming famous for churning out promising writers. Ify Omalicha, a master?s degree holder...
- Poetry: Sentinel Nigeria Spreads The Gospel
The 3rd of July, 2010 was a special day for the members of the Kaduna State chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors and writers resident in Kaduna, as Unoma Azuah, Professor of Creative Writing at Lane College, USA, lectured them on some vital techniques...
- The Job Of A Literary Journalist Is A Nightmare
BENJAMIN UBIRI, literary editor of the Abuja-based Newspage newspaper, and winner of the 2009 edition of Literary Journalist of the Year, awarded by the Association of Nigerian Authors, speaks to SUMAILA UMAISHA on his experience on the beat and more....
- Promoting The Nigerian Pidgin English
The Nigerian Pidgin English has an ironic stigma that even language experts find difficult to understand. It is the most widely spoken language, the only unbiased lingua franca with interjections of many indigenous languages across the country, and it...