You are an Iraqi based in London, United Kingdom, how did you learn to speak Yoruba?
I trade at Woolwich Market. That is where I work and where I started meeting many Nigerian customers, especially Yoruba people.
Many of the Nigerians I met at the market spoke Yoruba when they came to buy things from me. At first, I did not understand what they were saying, so I became curious and started asking them to interpret the words they used. That was how I gradually started learning Yoruba from my customers.
What do you sell?
I used to sell pepper and fruit, but now I sell cosmetics and hair. My business has changed over time, but I have continued interacting with many Yoruba customers at the market. Through those interactions, I have also continued learning the language.
