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88 Unit 6: Síse oúnjẹ
giving something to someone (especially an older person) with a left
hand. Always use your right hand when you give something to
someone. There is a Yoruba proverb that says: “It is an illegitimate
child that points at his father’s house with the left hand.”
Use of ò.gá
In Yoruba society, oΩ$gá is sometimes used for any man whom one
wants to honor or respect, whether the person is older or younger. It
is not unusual to hear people at different places refer to someone as
“oΩ$gá sà!” to indicate that they honor that person. It could be used
for a boss, or any person in charge, regardless of the person’s age.
Sellers could use oΩ$gá for male buyers to try to get their attention to
come to their stall. The food seller in the dialogue used oΩ $gá for Tunji,
not literally because he was her master, but just to honor Tunji as a
male customer.
Language points
The “why” question
To ask a question with “why,” use the expression kí l’ó dé? as in:
Kí l’ó dé tí o kò fõœ bíà?
Why is it that you don’t want beer?
—Nítorí pé n kò fõœràn bíà.
—Because I don’t like beer.
Kí l’ó dé tí Kúnlé n; bínú?
Why is it that Kunle is upset?
—Nítorí pé ebi n; pa Kúnlé.
—Because Kunle is hungry.
As with other question forms in Yoruba, “why” as a question is kí
l’ó dé, but in a statement or “yes/no” question, “why” is ìdí tí. For
example:
Kí l’ó dé tí o fi põœ?
N kò mo≥ìdí tí mo fi põœ.
Íé o mo≥ìdí tí o fi põœ?
Why are you late?
I don’t know why I am late.
Do you know why you are late?