ABOUT THE BOOK
The phrase “leave story for tortoise” connotes a very curious saying by Nigerian elders. The tortoise is known to be very slow. But in its slowness, it is able to see the world as it is, gathering the stories of the world around it. And based on its long-life span, the tortoise is an elder who is a walking library of stories (at the end of it all, each of us is here to create and live out our own unique story or a unique collective story with others). Its library of stories can provide one with wisdom and a guide one to living in, surviving, and navigating this challenging world.
The above trait is inherent within Pidgin English words, phrases, and sentences/statements. Each Pidgin English word, phrase, or sentence/statement, encapsulates a unique story that cuts across the various cultures in the land of origin, Nigeria, where these phrases were developed and used for communication.
You will find the journey through this book has three distinct parts. In “Part 1: Nigerian Pidgin English Words and Their Meanings,” you’ll find a quick glossary of Pidgin English words, their meanings and usage, organised to quickly get you up and running. “Part 2: Nigeria and Nigerians” explores Nigeria as a country and its people who created this language to enable themselves to communicate in a unique way that encapsulates their history and stories. In “Part 3: 100 Common Pidgin English Expressions with Wisdom” you’ll find words of wisdom in Pidgin English used by Nigerian people to safeguard, nurture, and evolve their communities, cultures, and way of life.
I have organised the book thusly to enable you to traverse the journey through Leave Story for Tortoise along the best path that suits you. And I hope that you enjoy your journey through it.
