In Nigeria we also call some people 'aje butter' literally meaning butter eaters but figuratively, rich kid. One sign of spotting this kind of people is that they rarely speak their native language and when they do, they do with an "English" accent.
Again if you studied in Nigeria then you know that during a Native Language exam, which in my case is Yourba, students seize the opportunity to act unruly. Teachers will normally cancel an exam or write a damaging remark on the student's sheet which will likely result in a fail but since native languages are not important to we 'Alakowes', we go ahead and walk out of the exam hall. We dare not do this during a Maths or English exam.
We don't take this subject nor its teachers seriously because passing it wasn't a criteria to gain admission into a University. The essential subjects in my time were English, Mathematics and a Science subject
I was an Alakowe and I have sometimes been called an Aje Butter, the latter can be argued though. I spoke English fine as far as I was concerned but when I came to England to study, I was shocked to realise I am decrepit in English language, the reason I forfeited my native language, Yoruba.
My main point of defence when I realise how bad my English is compared to native English speakers, is that I'm bilingual, but I can't even speak my native language proficiently. I had neglected it just to be an Alakowe.
My main point of defence when I realise how bad my English is compared to native English speakers, is that I'm bilingual, but I can't even speak my native language proficiently. I had neglected it just to be an Alakowe.
My question now is; What language can I speak competently? I am languageless! I have got no identity! I am not English neither am I fully Yoruba!
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