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Find out more about Ololade Asake

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  1–Yes ,I speak the Yoruba language fluently as a native speaker and of course that’s my tribe and origin .And English language fluently because it’s my second language as this is my country’s official language which means all the levels of our educational institutions uses English language to teach.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  2– I would say a very powerful emblematic representative of Yoruba language and culture is Oba Oduduwa,who is till date a legendary and revered historical figure and even considered the God father ie Baba nla of the Yoruba people.Oduduwa holds deep cultural, spiritual, and linguistic significance. He is believed to have founded the city of Ile-Ife, and has one son named Okanbi ,Oduduwa is regarded as the cradle of Yoruba civilization. His legacy is embedded in the oral histories, kingship traditions, and identity of the Yoruba people, making him a central symbol of their language, customs, and worldview.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  3–my favorite word in the Yoruba language right now has to be “OYA”.Oya is a word used for different occasion while speaking in Yoruba .

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  4–Speaking this Language matters to me because I as a person believe that language is an identity.With the type of language one speaks you can easily deduce the origin or root of a person.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  5–The most difficult part of this language is the distinct and specific tonal sound ,it’s so important that a word can have 7 distinct sounds which equally means 7 different things .Listening carefully and picking the tones is the key to understanding the tonal sounds.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  6– I remember a particular day in secondary school when our Yoruba teacher, Mrs. Alake, asked the class to write an essay titled “Ìdí tí mo fi fẹ́ èdè Yorùbá” (Why I love the Yoruba language). Most of us struggled but not because we didn’t love Yoruba,I mean I love love Yoruba language , but because we had never thought deeply about it. Growing up, English was often emphasized at school and at home as I have previously answered that it’s what is used to deliver lessons in our schools . So Yoruba felt too “local,” something for elders or the market or the unlearned.
  But that day, something changed.
  
  During the lesson, Mrs. Alake called on a boy from our class who always spoke English, even to his parents. She asked him in Yoruba, “Kí ni ọmọ yín ń jẹ nílé?” (What do your children eat at home?). The boy stood frozen, unable to respond. The whole class laughed, but she stopped us and said quietly, “If you can’t speak your language, you’ll lose your name, your roots, and your wisdom” like I have mentioned earlier up there That sentence hit me hard. I began to pay attention in Yoruba class—not just for grades, but to connect with something deeper. Years later, I still remember Mrs. Alake and that one question that sparked my pride in the Yoruba language till date which is why I remember that as an anecdote .

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  7–I take it upon myself to visit historical sites and museums and it one of my fun,and relaxing experiences.Recently a trip to the ODUNTOLA MUSEUM in Ibadan still has me in awe of our rich heritage!

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  8–I am a superprof in languages because I’m unique with my style of delivery,it’s a mix of fun ,creativity, mind tingling for my students.Which gives them one of the most interesting and educative experience.