COMMON ENGLISH LANGAUGE ERRORS IN NIGERIA

The term 'Nigerian English' is the infusion of our indigenous or local languages with the English language.


Language, like culture is dynamic and it evolves. After all, even some social media slangs have found their ways into the dictionary. This is to show that language is not static.

With regards to formal settings however and for the benefit of people that go for interviews, students who write essays etc, it is advisable to master the proper use of the English Language.

Below are the list of some of the numerous misuse of various words in the English Language:

1: Trafficate - There is no such word as trafficate in English, but it is commonly used, we use it to replace the word signal. Not a day goes by without most Nigerians using the word trafficate.

2: Sufferness/Sufferment - This is also a Nigerian word. People tend to say things like, 'the sufferness in this country is too much'. The proper word is suffering.

3: Stuffs - Stuff does not have a pluralized version. No matter how many the things you want to refer to are, stuff is stuff. Not, 'I have plenty stuffs'. Same goes for words like, equipment, sheep, evidence, information etc.

4: Complimentary Card: Yours truly is also prone to this mistake, it takes some getting used to, even after acquiring new knowledge. See, the word complimentary means 'free'. For instance I can get complimentary breakfast at a restaurant etc. So are we giving free cards? The correct term is Business Card.

5: Reverse Back: That is the height of tautology.To Reverse is to go back, then we add back.. Another common one is 'so therefore'. So and therefore can be used interchangeably.

6: Half Caste: This is actually a very derogatory word. In Nigeria, people use it innocently. 'She's a beautiful half caste'. No, she is mixed race.

7: Plate Number: Sequel to a post we did some days back, a kind hearted reader sent a message to tell us the correct word is Plate-Number instead of the Number-Plate we wrote. We were happy with the feedback, but politely told the reader Number- plate is the correct term.

8: Luggages : This is also a very common mistake in Nigeria. A Luggage is a Luggage, it is always singular.

9: In case of Incasity : This phrase actually has a good tone to it. It sounds so appealing if we might add.However, through research and asking questions, we have realized it has no place in the English language. It is ungrammatical.

10: Should in case: Just like its counterpart in number nine, these two phrases refer to eventualities. There is nothing like Should in case, the 'should' preceding the in case is not necessary.

We shall compile other Nigerian English phrases and terms in another post, consider this a Part one.