What inspired you to apply for the FLAS fellowship and study Yoruba?
As a Yoruba native who did not grow up around the language, I have longed to learn my native language and develop fluency to connect with my cultural heritage. I was elated to discover Yoruba classes at UW-Madison. However, my degree’s heavy focus on STEM and Economics initially made me doubt whether I could incorporate language classes while graduating on time. Fortunately, an opportunity emerged during my senior year that aligned with my discovery of the FLAS fellowship. This program has connected me to a community of language learners, alleviated some of my financial burden, and enabled me to study a language that has long captivated my interest.
How has your experience in Yoruba language classes shaped your learning journey?
The small classroom setting stands in contrast to my typically large STEM courses. This environment allows students to collaborate, interact, and learn from an experienced instructor without the stigma that sometimes accompanies not being able to speak your native language. These classes have created a safe atmosphere where I feel comfortable making mistakes as I build toward fluency. The curriculum extends beyond mere language instruction to incorporate the rich cultural contexts of Yoruba-speaking regions, which I believe is essential for true language acquisition.
In what ways has studying Yoruba influenced your interest in applying for the Fulbright Study Abroad program in Nigeria?
My experience studying Yoruba has reinforced the understanding that classroom learning has its limits—true language mastery requires immersion. This realization inspired me to pursue study-abroad programs in Yoruba. I was delighted to be accepted into the Fulbright Study Abroad program in Ibadan, Nigeria. This opportunity will not only strengthen my language skills but also deepen my cultural connection by allowing me to live in one of the most historically significant cities in Yorubaland.
What future aspirations do you have related to studying Yoruba?
Currently, I work with the African Languages Lab, an organization dedicated to research and machine learning translations for African languages. Our mission is to foster language preservation and elevate these languages to compete with and be represented alongside others in our rapidly evolving technological landscape. With my Yoruba studies, I aim to further contribute to this cause by developing technologies that support language inclusion in modern technology and cultural learning. The cultural immersion from this study-abroad and understanding the contexts in which Yoruba is spoken will provide invaluable insights that will help me create more authentic and useful language technologies.
What advice would you give to someone interested in learning the language?
I have three primary pieces of advice:
First, do not fear making mistakes. Learning a new language requires thinking in entirely different patterns, and errors are an essential part of growth.
Second, immerse yourself as much as possible. The more words you hear and contexts you experience, the richer your vocabulary becomes and the more natural your speech will sound.
Third, do not translate—absorb. When I begin learning a new language, I start with nursery rhymes. Though it may seem childish, this approach mirrors how children learn—associating words directly with images, events, and stories rather than with words in your native language.
I am deeply grateful to the African Studies Program for creating an environment where I can learn Yoruba far from its homeland. Your support through scholarships and resources has opened doors I never imagined possible, setting me on a path to preserve and celebrate my cultural heritage in meaningful ways.