‘Nyash’ and ‘Abeg’ among African phrases added to Oxford English Dictionary
'Nyash’ and ‘Abeg’ among African phrases added to Oxford English Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary has updated its list of words after adding several African words to its lexicon, with the latest update featuring mostly expressions from West African nations.
The move is aimed at recognising Africa’s deep-rooted and widespread culture and values, with over 1,000 existing entries obtained across the globe also revised.
Among the words included in the latest update is ‘Nyash’, which refers to a person’s backside and is often used when emphasising large, attractive curves.
‘Nyash’ is a term that has been widely used across Africa, with particular dominance in West and East African nations. In Kenya, the word is considered slang, as it is not recognised in an official setup.
It originated from the Nigerian Pidgin and was used by West African musicians as a casual appreciation for people with curvy backsides. However, in some societies, it is considered a vulgar term.
Other words included in the latest update are the word ‘Abeg’, which has been categorised as both an interjection and an adverb. An interjection is used to express emotions like surprise, exasperation, or disbelief.
It is a variant of the English phrase ‘I beg’, which is used to ask someone for something humbly and honestly without any provocation or intimidation. It could also refer to a surrender to obtain freedom.
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The Oxford English Dictionary also included the word ‘Afrobeat’ to refer to the popular style of music incorporating elements of African music and jazz, mostly used in West Africa.
Afrobeats was formally added to the dictionary to acknowledge the growing influence of the West African music genre on the global stage.
Similarly, OED also added words like ‘Biko’, which is a synonym of ‘Please’ to mean a humble request, ‘Mammy Market’, to mean a marketplace run by women, and ‘Amala’, a Nigerian staple food made from cassava or yams.
The decision to add a word to the English dictionary is always a long process that includes gathering evidence of the widespread and real usage of the phrase.
The evidence may be obtained through the use of the phrase in books, newspapers, magazines, films and TV shows, as well as social media blogs.
Oxford editors also check how often the word is used and which countries or communities mostly use the phrase.
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