Word for the Travel Wise (12/23/06)

As the last few days of Christmas creep up on me and everyone else celebrating I’ll be getting in as much quality time with the family as possible and to do so I’ll have to be short here, but not so short where I can’t provide you with your nightly dose of foreign language. So without further delay…

Today’s word is a Yoruba word used in Nigeria:

ewa – beauty

English is the official language of Nigeria, which means any traveler should be able to converse and navigate their way from Lagos to Jigawa with ease. (Unless you don’t speak English.) The country’s three main languages include: Yoruba, Ibo (Igbo), and Hausa. Each of the three main languages are named after the people they belong to and carry several dialects within themselves. Motherland Nigeria has an incredible intro to the three languages, Nigerian slang and even a few examples of common Pidgin English spoken. Some audio samples are available as well.

Past Nigerian / Yoruba / Igbo words: ikun, feran, kedu, odabo, gabdun, jo, joko