How To Say ‘I Love You’ In A Dozen Nigerian Languages

We know how to say “I love you” in many of the world’s languages; Ti amo, Je t’aime, Ich liebe dich, Te amo…and that’s all good, but what about languages spoken here in Nigeria?

Here’s how to say “I love you” in just 12 of the languages spoken across Nigeria, which has over 250 ethnic groups. Continue reading…

Advertisement

The Sun, My Sun, is in Your Face

Two years ago, my friend Obiajulu introduced me to Il Volo. You may never have heard of this group, but watching these teenagers make such pure music… I just worship God.

In 2007, an okada rider who became my regular told me why crappy music exists. He said they do not listen to God, who gives songs in the night (Job 35:10). I laughed. But it is evident that Il Volo’s talent is from heaven above. Every note turns my heart to the One who made music.

My favourite is their version of the Italian/Neapolitan classic, O Sole Mio.  Many greats have done it, including Luciano Pavarotti. None of the covers have ever produced the sensations this one does in me. Maybe it’s the marriage of the parts complementing each other. Maybe it is knowing that they’re so young, and so blessed. Maybe it’s watching them work so smoothly together instead of singing solo. I don’t know.

Schadenfreude is the word for the secret feeling of pleasure over someone’s ill fortune.

Why hasn’t anyone coined a word for that feeling you get when music is oh, oh, oh so good?

You don’t need to know what they’re saying to enjoy their art, but you can find lyrics and translation here.

“But another sun…The sun, my own sun, is upon your face.”