By
Obododimma Oha
Recently, Moses Ebe Ochonu, through a Facebook update, inspired me to write about wearing clean garments over dirty body. Moses wrote about a case of euphemism in Nigerian discourse. He wrote:
I have since learned that when Nigerian interlocutors begin with "I have a little challenge" they are about to drop a bombshell about a serious problem that either requires urgent action or a lot of money to solve. We're badass like that.
One interesting thing is that Ochonu includes himself in this discursive game. But that is just about identity, about labeling, and so, let's leave that other discourse for now. The main issue raised by the update is about
-- being indirect, evasive, because a shock is coming,
-- being euphemistic, that tendency to replace the seemingly unpleasant with the seemingly pleasant,
-- hoping the addressee understands and would sympathize,
-- actually trying to defraud through discourse.
What should bother us is that this is put as the habit of all Nigerians. That is sad, very sad. Indeed, not all "Nigerians" behave like this or try to use euphemism to cheat.
This update is actually a warning about cheating that is suggested by discourse. I take that warning seriously. It is not when I hear it from non-Nigerians that I have to get annoyed. OK, I have to display my patriotic spirit and get annoyed!
But, in spite of the fact that this contains a faulty generalization, Ochonu is reacting to what is common and annoying. Maybe while Ochonu is taking a second look at that faulty generalization, Nigerians should also take a second look at what he is saying, whether it is not common in Nigeria these days or not.
I am not one of the fans of Moses Ochonu football club. I am not a praise-singer. I have been reading his essays and I can understand his anger about Nigeria. But he is actually directing us to the interesting aspects of discourse in the Nigerian world, being an academic and thinker. So, we need to read Ochonu and try to understand him.
Now, that slippery euphemism. Facing a " little challenge." No, don't call it "problem." It is a rather a "challenge." Learn to speak positively. Don't say that that snake in the bedroom is a snake in this national darkness. It is a "stick." Don't attract a fangsome attack.
Euphemisms are good for an injured spirit of a nation. You could be bitter inside, but pretending to be smiling and singing choruses of salvation. Jesus is lord. Enough said.
So, the friend who is facing a "challenge" hopes that it will be miraculously removed by people like Ochonu and his friends. Who is afraid of challenges? Is a challenge not meant to be confronted? Who does not want to face responsibility of removing the challenge? The challenge is an obligation and needs to be faced.
Moses, you have not seen anything yet. You are being invited to face this and other challenges. The challenges are legion and are waiting, not at checkpoints but in the government house.
Is not better to be slippery by talking about the problem without talking about a problem? The problem is just a challenge. Allow us to reinvent English in the postcolonial world. The problem of meaning is just a challenge.
Comments