Tag: Nigeria languages

Yorkish episode 4: Interlingua Homonyms in Turkish and Yoruba language

On By siddiqoyeIn General, Language and Culture, Türkçe7 Comments

Basically, homonyms are words which have the same spelling or pronunciation, but have different meanings. For example, the word “lie” in English language could mean “untruth” as well as “recline”. In the case of Interlingua homonyms, one of the most interesting I have come across is the word “kafa” which means “head” in Turkish and “leg” in Hausa language.

In this episode, I will like to share with you certain words that appear in both Turkish and Yoruba language. We may call them homonyms but interestingly some of them coincidentally have similar meanings. I wish you a good read! Continue reading “Yorkish episode 4: Interlingua Homonyms in Turkish and Yoruba language” →

Yorkish Episode 3: Mutual idioms in Yoruba and Turkish

On By siddiqoyeIn Türkçe3 Comments

An Idiom is a group of words established by long usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. Generally, the frequent, and proper use of idioms undoubtedly represents the eloquence and proficiency of a speaker. Idioms in a language are greatly influenced by the culture and environment of its speakers. Thus, like I have experienced, trying to pass a message with a language’s idiom in another language is difficult and sometimes embarrassing.

I have been able to pen down some mutual idioms in Turkish and Yoruba languages. To make reading easier, the items are stated in their literally English meaning which may make no sense or appear funny to someone who speaks none of the two languages.

Continue reading “Yorkish Episode 3: Mutual idioms in Yoruba and Turkish” →

Yorkish Episode 2: Animal Metaphors in Yoruba and Turkish Language.

On By siddiqoyeIn Language and Culture, Türkçe7 Comments

The use of figurative statements, metaphors and similes (TR: benzetme YR: afiwe) is a long-established part of almost, if not all the world languages. While making this symbolization and representation, human liken each other to certain animals, in order to portray the fact that the one who is likened behaves or looks like the animal to which he or she is likened to. But then, human perceives situations differently, thus their representation culture is not always the same. In this episode, let’s see how animal metaphors are used in Yoruba and the Turkish languages. Which animal’s name represent what….

Continue reading “Yorkish Episode 2: Animal Metaphors in Yoruba and Turkish Language.” →

Yorkish Episode 1: Similar Turkish and Yoruba Words of Arabic Origin

On By siddiqoyeIn Language and Culture, Türkçe1 Comment

Although the relationship between Yoruba and Arabic language remains a subject of debate among scholars of linguistics and history, it will not be exaggeration to agree that the Arabic and Islamic culture has directly or indirectly, influenced the Yoruba language. In the case of Turkish, there is no doubt about the influence of Arabic language, as a whopping number of over 6000 words were loaned to Turkish-(let’s pretend it is an overdraft)…smirks. Well, no qualms as a language dies when it fails to loan words.

I will be sharing with you 10 out of many similar words in Turkish and Yoruba that have their roots in Arabic language. Enjoy your reading!

Continue reading “Yorkish Episode 1: Similar Turkish and Yoruba Words of Arabic Origin” →

YORKISH: A comparison between Turkish and Yoruba. (Intro)

On By siddiqoyeIn General, Language and Culture, TürkçeLeave a comment

It has been ages since I posted here, a situation that is not unconnected to my travel and learning a new language. Yeah! Installing a new language pack into my small head is the true definition of complication. And same is life in diaspora! Despite the hurdles and struggle, it is great to attain the lovely height of being a polyglot, a situation I had never foreseen. Hence you may not be wrong to guess that I suddenly became a language and culture lover! A new hobby that has brought me back here.

Undoubtedly, pouring out all I discovered or learnt in Turkish language or the Turkish society may be utopian. However, I will still love to serve you a part of the gist in the coolest way.

Continue reading “YORKISH: A comparison between Turkish and Yoruba. (Intro)” →