The Constant Evolution of the English Language

The

impact of sociolinguistic research at SOAS

The Oxford English Dictionary typically adds several thousand new and revised words to its dictionary every year. In recent years, the OED has expanded its lexicon to include new words not only from countries where English is spoken as a majority first language, but also from a number of postcolonial countries, where English is often spoken as a second language or has some official status.

SOAS University of London Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Kingsley Ugwanyi, who specialises in sociolinguistics, has been consulting for the OED on Nigerian English - including the recent addition of twenty new words to the dictionary - which reflect Nigeria’s society as a whole. The list includes words such as Adire, Eba and Suya. The addition of new words into the English language reflects its vibrancy and constant evolution in order to reflect changes in society and culture.

Dr. Ugwuanyi said: “I’m proud to have contributed to the Oxford English Dictionary. It’s an honour to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and the uniquely interesting ways we express ourselves as Nigerians. I also thoroughly enjoyed providing the pronunciations to the Dictionary’s online platform, ensuring authenticity.”

SOAS runs undergraduate degree programmes in BA Linguistics, BA Africa and Black Diaspora and BA Languages and Cultures (Middle East, Africa, South and Southeast Asia).

ANDREW

OSMOND

Marketing Manager www.soas.ac.uk