There are some words that have been wrongly named and interpreted among Nigerians for a long time. When a Nigerian uses such words outside Nigeria, it conveys a different meaning and creates confusion.
- Chief
Who is a chief according to the English language? Please check your dictionary. In English, a chief is the head or ruler of an ethnic group or clan. Titled men are not called chiefs. In recent years, the most mentioned chief in Africa is probably Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Zulu leader of South Africa as well as the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party. He was the ruler of the Zulu nation. The Zulu nation is like the Igbo nation or Yoruba nation or Hausa nation of Nigeria.
Similarly, last week, the indigenous people of Canada, under the umbrella of Assembly of First Nations, elected a new national chief. Until her election, Chief Cindy Woodhouse was the regional chief of Manitoba.
The title “chief” is used for Buthelezi and Woodhouse and others like them because they are not the ruler of their entire country. They are under the power of another.
During colonisation, the traditional rulers in Nigeria were known as “chiefs” because they came under the power of the monarchy of England. After colonisation, the traditional rulers came under the leader of Nigeria through the premiers or governors as the case may be. Because of the desire to stand apart from “common people,” our people adopted the title “chief” for those who had been honoured by traditional rulers in Nigeria, because it was perceived as infra dig for an influential person to bear the plain title “Mr.”
Some decades ago, Nigerian traditional rulers jettisoned the usage of “chief,” given that members of their cabinet were also addressed as “chief.” Most of the traditional rulers also rejected being addressed as “His Royal Highness,” which is the title of an English prince. For example, the first son and heir apparent of the British monarchy is addressed as His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, because he rules over Wales, which is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland. Most Nigerian traditional rulers adopted the title “His Majesty”, which is the title for kings, queens and emperors. Interestingly, while the King of England is not under any other power, the Nigerian Constitution puts the traditional ruler under the state governor, who can depose him, thereby making a mockery of that exalted title of “His Majesty.”
Therefore, when a man based in the United Kingdom or United States returns to Nigeria to be made a “chief” by his traditional ruler and then goes back to London or New York and is addressed as Chief XYZ, the English or Americans do not see him the way we see him. They see him as the leader or ruler of his clan, while we see him as a man who just received recognition from his traditional ruler. We know that the person does not rule over any community.
That disparity in the meaning of the word “chief” has persisted. There are many terms in our local languages that are difficult to find appropriate equivalents in English and vice versa.
- Tea
The dictionary defines tea as the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, from which a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage is prepared by infusion in hot water. And from the leaves of the tea plant, a drink is produced. This drink is made by pouring hot water onto leaves of the tea plant. Sometimes sugar and milk are added to it to make it tastier. Some people drink it with cereal or bread as breakfast. It is rated as the second most-consumed liquid in the world after water. In Nigeria, some popular tea brands are Lipton and Top Tea.
But what most Nigerians call tea is actually “hot chocolate.” It is also called hot cocoa or drinking chocolate. Some popular brands in Nigeria are Bournvita, Milo, Cowbell, Ovaltine, etc. Just like chocolate bars, they are made from cacao seeds and other ingredients. Note that the seeds from the tree are called cacao, while the powder from the seeds is called cocoa. Note the difference in spelling.
- Nationalist
The meaning of “nationalist” in the dictionary and Western world is different from its meaning in Nigeria.
In the dictionary/Western world, the word “nationalist” has a negative meaning as the defender of the exclusive interests of an ethnic/racial group (nation) who may also want the independence of that nation from the country. The person is usually a member of that group or “nation.” Those who champion White views, Black views, regional views, etc, are called nationalists. But in Nigeria, the term has a positive meaning: a nationalist in Nigeria is seen as a patriot who defends Nigerian interests and wants Nigeria to be one. Therefore, when a Nigerian is discussing nationalism with a Briton, Canadian or American, it creates some confusion.
- Passport
When most Nigerians are talking about “passport,” they mean “passport photograph.” What others call “passport” is what most Nigerians give the tautological name “international passport,” as if there are local passports.
A passport is a pass you need at the port of departure from your country to identify you and show that you are a citizen. You also need it to enter other countries. But you don’t need a passport to move around in your own country.
The photograph of your face and upper body that is affixed to the passport is called a passport photograph. It is not called a passport. It is called a passport photograph because it is affixed to the passport and it is taken in that format to make your face big enough to be read. A full-length photograph may show you in full but may not show your face in such a manner that an immigration officer may use it to confirm that you are the real owner of the passport.
Therefore, the document that you attach a visa to for international travels is simply called a passport, not an international passport. The type of photograph that is affixed to the passport is called a passport photograph, not a passport. Saying “international passport” is like saying “red colour”!
- Warlord
Like many people, I used to add the phrase “Biafran Warlord” to the name of Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, thinking that it was an honorific signifying power, courage, bravery, heroism, etc.
Then many years ago, I read Ikemba himself puncturing that expression, noting that it was denigrating, even though many used it without malice or any attempt to ridicule him. He explained that he led Biafra as a republic with functional institutions in operation and therefore the term did not apply to him. I decided to check the meaning of “warlord” in the dictionary and was shocked that it was a word with a negative connotation. Since that day, I stopped using it to refer to him.
- Rat
To most Nigerians, every rodent that looks like a rat is a rat. The word “mouse” is rarely mentioned among Nigerians. But most of those small rodents that destroy things at home, which Nigerians call rats, are actually mice. Mice are different from rats just as leopards are different from cheetahs or monkeys are different from baboons. There are many differences between them. Even though this is not a zoology class, the easiest way to differentiate them is by size. Mice are usually much smaller than rats.
- Disinterested
This is frequently misinterpreted to mean “uninterested.” But “disinterested” means “unbiased by personal interest or advantage; not influenced by selfish motives.” Therefore, the person that can give the best judgment on an issue is one who is disinterested, not one who is uninterested.
- Obviously
This word is frequently misinterpreted as “presumably.” But it means “clearly.” When “obviously” is used, it means that every available evidence shows that it is so. If you wish to state that what exists on the surface is different from the true picture, then you can use “presumably” or “seemingly” or “reportedly.”
Credit: Azuka Onwuka