The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially added several Swahili and Sheng words to its lexicon in a move to recognize the growing influence of the East African languages. Among the newly inducted words are “panya route,” which means a secretive path often used for smuggling, and “kitu kidogo,” meaning a small bribe or inducement.
‘Panya route,’ which is a blend of the Swahili word for ‘mouse’ and the English word ‘route,’ exemplifies the creative wordplay inherent in Sheng language. Similarly, ‘kitu kidogo,’ meaning ‘small thing,’ has become a widely recognized term in Kenya and East Africa at large.
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The OED also welcomed the Ugandan street food “rolex” into its pages. This popular street food, consisting of an omelette and vegetables wrapped in a chapati, earned its place due to its unique name and widespread appeal.
This isn’t the first time the Oxford English Dictionary has recognized the richness of Swahili. Words like “nyama choma,” “asante sana,” and “jembe” have already been granted official status in the dictionary, signaling a rapidly growing Swahili language’s influence on English.
Sheng language is a slang spoken mainly in urban areas in Kenya. It is a mix of unique vocabulary sourced from different languages and put together. Sheng is often used by the youthful generation more than the older generation. They use it to conceal names of local activities hence concealing their dealings to themselves who can understand the lingua.
It is great to see Sheng finally being incorporated into Oxford English Dictionary since it shows growth of the Kenyan languages. A while back, there were concerns that sheng and other urban slangs were hindering learners ability to communicate effectively in English and Kiswahli