Accepting Sugabelly's Language Challenge

I heard about a Blogger Language Challenge and thought I'd give it a try.

The originators' link is HERE:

It was really cool to hear the entries and how intouch the bloggers seemed to be with their roots. Though its a day late and on Independance day no less, here's my entry into the Challenge. What a better way to express the freedoms we have in one country than the ability to converse(or try to converse) in the tongue of another.

About myself, my parents are Nigerian and I was raised in America. I did go to Nigeria in my youth and I learned the Ijebu-Ode dialect, but that was lost, sadly, as I no longer had the constant communication with my Grandmother to sharpen my skills. When I reached 18, I shuttled between Nigeria and America more often. I spoke almost entirely in English though I did improve my understanding of Yoruba, and Pidgin. Anyway, hope you enjoy my video...

Let's just say, if there are going to be prizes....I wouldn't get one...

Here it goes.


Translation...of sorts:

Good morning....
I don't speak at all....My Yoruba isn't good at all.... Its very weak. I don't practice at all....I don't like....all this....thing?

My Yoruba is very weak.

Last night I was very hungry. I made Efo(vegetable stew). I made vess with dry fish and spinach and collard greens. I used it to make vegetable stew
I washed it(the greens), cut it and boiled it with pepper.
......
...
My vegetable stew, ...I made, was very sweet! My Mom and my sister ate it, with amala.
I like amala alot. Especially with vegetable stew.

My Yoruba is rusty. Really!!
I need practice... Right?



If you want to join, Please Do! Languages are what connect us. Why not do a post of your own? Just don't forget

THE RULES:

1. It DOES NOT MATTER how well you can speak your language. The goal is to speak regardless. So don't worry if you don't speak that well or you have to include lots of English words. ALL language levels are welcome.

2. Video posts or Audio posts are strongly preferred. This is because the point is to hear and enjoy the spoken language. Written posts are frowned upon but will be accepted too. ^_^

3. Please always provide a translation for your readers of other ethnicities! Translations should be in English and can be in the form of captions under a video post, or written transcripts for audio and written posts.

4. Please tag each participating post as - language challenge - and post the link here in the comments so I can link to it and make all of them easy to find.

5. Please encourage other Nigerian bloggers to post in Nigerian languages.

Comments

Anonymous said…
OMG...u sound so cute. Altho u sound like an african american tryna speak yoruba..but its cute...

Lets call this yoruba-english.

lol!
Sugabelly said…
Good job!!! This was pretty good.

I've added your post to the Language Challenge page and linked to it.

Thank you so much for participating!!
La Reine said…
Its a wee bit sad, I know. LOL
~B~ said…
Awww! I can actually hear you struggling to remember the words, lol, but you did great though!
La Reine said…
:) Thanks ~B~ & Sugabelly
*covers face*
lmao sorry but I was laughing the whole time...you tried though...this is cute

www.theepitomeofbeauty.blogspot.com
H said…
loool..u made me laugh a lot...I cried...hahaha....i LOVE iiit...absolutely love it
hahahaha... this was hilarious....

That was quite courageous of you to put it online.
Unveilinggold said…
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL..hahaha yoruba me ti rusty gan..I am not the only one out there..lol..I need to learn my to speak my language well
olaoluwatomi said…
My Yoruba was worse than yours a few years ago, Im sorry I laughed while listening!I actually laughed because you laughed! You are really brave and Im sure your yoruba will be great someday.(See pot calling kettle black) Do not give up!
La Reine said…
Iwalea: I don't blame you for laughing...

H: Glad to brighten your day :)

Prism..: Thank you, but I did sheild my face ;)

Unveil.: Yeah, I know that feeling

Olaolu.: That means yours' is better Now? So... here's hope for me! Thanks for the encouragement!
Adeoluwa - NBB said…
You definitely like the word "gan". lol. Its a nice attempt. Keep speaking, keep learning. :)
Dammie said…
LOOL! Well at least you tried n yh yoruba wa rusty "gan".
I think a good way to practice is watching yoruba movies if you can..trust me! they help
aloted said…
lol..lol..lol..i know this is late but this was so funny.. you tried sha! but it was funnnyyyy..lol..

sounded like ajebutter babe/oyinbo/ibo speaking yoruba..

i shld try this se...this one i am laffing at u.
La Reine said…
NBB: Lol, I guess I do. Thanks

Dammie: I'll need to youtube it up then!

H: Argh, missed this.

aloted: Its never to late to cause laughter. lol! I want to hear yours :)
Anonymous said…
Don't be fooled by all these fake compliments. It was hi-freakin-larious!!!! :-)
La Reine said…
missmeddle: Lol! And that's why I never speak aloud!
Stick around, sometimes I'm funny on purpose. :D
tunmi said…
Your Yoruba is weak, that is true, but it was cute and funny, let me say entertaining. It lacks the intonations and vernacular but I do love that you spoke it, I do. Please don't take offense, but thank you for doing this. You made an attempt and that's what matters
feyzo! said…
iyan.....my sister my friend...how come i'm just seeing this post...
gan gan gan...
bla bla bla (dracula style)