VOCABULARY: “big big” English?
Many think vocabulary explains any word they do not understand. Well, vocabulary simply means the words in a particular language or all the words a person knows in a language and can use. So I can say a person’s vocabulary in Yoruba is wider than mine and I can also say English is richer in vocabulary than all other world languages.
Dialects of the same language differ in vocabulary. For instance, the Yoruba speakers in Lagos will say “amala” while those in Ibadan/Oyo may prefer to say “oka”. In the same way, the choice of words differs in English depending on whether one is using the British or American variety of the language. Below are some of the differences in vocabulary:
Peace (British) Shalom (American)
Flat (British) Apartment (American)
Parrafin (British) Kerosene (American)
Graduate (British) Alumnus (American)
Barrister (British) Attorney (American)
(Motor) car (British) Automobile (American)
Pram (British) Baby-carriage (American)
Pub (British) Bar (American)
Hoarding (British) Billboard (American)
Wallet (British) Billfold (American)
Taxi (British) Cab (American)
Tin (British) Can (American)
Sweets (British) Candy (American)
Cupboard (British) Closet (American)
Biscuit (British) Cookie (American)
Maize (British) Corn (American)
Mad (British) Crazy (American)
Lift (British) Elevator (American)
Ground floor (Br.) First floor (Am.)
Touch (British) Flash light (American)
Main road (Br.) Highway (Am.)
Post (British) Mail (American)
Maths (British) Math (American)
The cinema (Br.) The movies (Am.)
Flyover (British) Overpass (American)
Road surface (Br.) Pavement (Am.)
Cooker (British) Stove (American)
Mean (British) Stingy (American)
Holiday(s) (British) Vacation (American)
Zip (British) Zipper (American)
Though the use of a British word will be acceptable would be acceptable in American English (and vice versa), most listeners will understand the word as coming from the other form of English. Second language users, such as Nigerians, can use any of the varieties. However, consistency is important.
GAB
