Word Creation Processes in English - Essay Example

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in the English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria more than two years ago and have been teaching the subject in secondary schools since then. Right from my time in the university, I have nursed the idea to promote and sustain the Yoruba language and culture within the shores of Nigeria. No wonder, therefore, that one of my research projects in the university was “Word Creation Processes In English: A Case Study Of Affixation, Blending And Compounding Involving English And Yoruba Words”. However, the society seems to be having a different perspective; English appears to have a clear-cut preference over the Nigerian languages which are labeled ‘vernacular’.

Although there are a few who share my school of thought, the general societal belief system is non-accommodative, thus the desire to look beyond my society. The ideas I have nurtured passionately for years collapses well into the Fulbright FLTA Program; a program that will not only open up the avenues of refining my English language proficiency and teaching skills but also power on the opportunity to exchange cultural values with foreign individuals. Interestingly, I have always imagined how exciting it would be to actualize my dream of sharing my cultural roots with total strangers. I liken such to a possible scenario of two young lovers; a perfect avenue to burn passion and express emotions. I remember with nostalgia the days in University seeing foreigners [Europeans or maybe Americans] struggle to study the Yoruba language and culture, yet missed opportunities to have a tete-a-tete with them. Nonetheless, that was then, with a totally different objective to accomplish; obtaining the first degree. The opportunity presented in this particular program will be perfect as much.

Teaching the English language may be very interesting, nothing would be more fulfilling than seeing people [foreigners] appreciate the Yoruba culture and values. Though English is official in Nigeria today for obvious reasons, I long for a time when the local languages, Yoruba in particular, will jointly share in the official status like Hindi and Mandarin in India and China respectively; a time when credit passes in any of the Nigerian languages would be a criterion for admission into tertiary institutions in the country; and a time when foreign students would have to take a Nigerian language test course before their studies in the country, just like I would have to write TOEFL before participating in FLTA Program.

Taking an x-ray shot at my background, nature seems to have carefully prepared me for later ambitions. I have lived in the two most important towns in the history of the Yoruba race, Ile-Ife and Oyo. Born in Ile-Ife, the traditional, religious capital and the cradle of the Yoruba race, I have acquired a unique cultural value system worth sharing. the first twelve years of my life were spent in Ile-Ife, while most of my years in secondary school were spent in Oyo, the political and ‘cultural’ capital of the Old Oyo Empire. The strong and deep exposure to Yoruba culture and way of life is but a treasured life experience; a rare exploit among youths of my age. The experiences in my home city over the last decade alone more than put a finishing touch on my person. I am unperturbed by the ‘Old School’ labeled they [friends] have added as my fourth initial. By and large, an opportunity to serve as an assistant in a post-secondary or secondary institution would be a wonderful experience and an avenue to fulfill my ambition.