The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, has pointed out that Yoruba language has failed to move with current time to assert its identity among respectable languages ruling corporate relationships in the world.
Worried by the inability of Yoruba language to translate some English words, Oba Akanbi challenged Yoruba scholars to prove their academic status by conducting intensive researches to coin Yoruba equivalent to some foreign words.
The Oluwo, however, clarified that he is not attempting to spite Yoruba language, saying he is on the throne to protect Yoruba culture which includes the language. He said failure to interpret some words has put a question mark on the future of the language.
He further lamented that the Yoruba words inherited from the late forefathers hundreds of years ago are still the words being spoken today, simply describing it as evidence of stagnation in a dynamic world.
“Tell me what Yoruba call the following words: hectares, block, screw driver, bulb, video, cocoa, cashew, coffee, watermelon, strawberry? I am not saying that parents should not encourage their children to speak Yoruba language. I have never said that, and I won’t say such because I am the Oluwo as custodian of culture and tradition. It is my responsibility to ensure the language ranks among the best in the world. What I am advocating is how to find a way to resolve this problem I have identified,” he said.
Oba Akanbi also said that less than one week after he had expressed his mind on the limitation of Yoruba language, the Oxford Dictionary announced inclusion of about 29 Nigerian slangs into the use of English language, asking of the number of Yoruba words in the updated Oxford Dictionary.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
