The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has asked scholars to upgrade Yoruba language and curriculum.
Oluwo, who spoke through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, in Osogbo, the state capital, on Monday, said Yoruba ought to be an independent language.
He stated that the loophole in Yoruba language is overdue and called for the creation of “Yoruba Independent Language” to be included into the curriculum and saddled with the responsibility of updating Yoruba language.
He noted Yoruba is heavily dependent on English, saying the language should be designed to have meaning for all things.
Concerned by the lacuna in the language, Oluwo said many English words are without Yoruba translation, calling on Yoruba professors, doctors, teachers and students to address the weakness.
Oluwo said: “Yoruba language is the best all over the word. It is only in Yoruba a single word can meant different thing depending on the usage. The strength in the language should be updated, upgraded and refurbished. Yoruba professors, doctors, teachers and students should harmonize to address the lacuna in the language”
“Hardly will you speak Yoruba for 2-minute without incorporating English. Many English words, objects and events are without Yoruba translation. I continually ask myself why scholars are not interested in challenging the challenge”
“Chinese use their language to study other subjects and courses from elementary to tertiary institutions”
“I call on stakeholders to hold a summit and constitute powerful team of Yoruba scholars that will adopt names for items of no Yoruba translation. For example, we only say chairs (Aga)when there are many types of chairs. Equally, Yoruba numerical counting is limited. What is Yoruba for trillion? Do we have names for categories of lights? How can we fix Yoruba names for everything such that it will be an independent language?”
