Lagos: A Professor of Linguistics, Portuguese and Translation Studies, Tayo Ajayi, has called for greater rapprochement and collaboration between Brazilian and African linguists and anthropologists to deepen studies related to African heritage in Brazil. Ajayi made this call while delivering the 109th Lagos State University (LASU) Inaugural Lecture Series at its main campus in Ojo.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ajayi, from the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Arts, LASU, highlighted the potential benefits of fostering closer ties between the two regions. He suggested that practitioners of Afro-Brazilian religion and other interested parties could be encouraged to visit Nigeria to better understand the Yoruba people, culture, and language. Ajayi expressed optimism that such efforts would eventually elevate the study of African languages, such as Yoruba, in Brazilian society and awareness.
Ajayi proposed that the Brazilian Government could integrate African languages into its postgraduate scholarship programs for Brazilian students. Similarly, he suggested that the Nigerian Government could provide incentives for Brazilian students interested in learning the Yoruba Language through scholarships in Nigeria. He also recommended that the Nigerian Government send language teachers to Brazil as part of the ongoing cultural and technical exchange program, with Nigeria covering remuneration and Brazil handling expenses.
Emphasizing the importance of preserving the original characteristics of the Yoruba Language in various forms, Ajayi noted that Yoruba is a specialized contact language used in Afro-Brazilian religious and cultural contexts. He pointed out that some Brazilians study Yoruba for specific purposes, underscoring the significance of maintaining the language's authenticity in songs, chants, 'orikis,' and casual conversations.