INTRODUCTION – DEFINITION OF TERMS
Context has to do with situations and activities surrounding the use of a language in a particular geographical area and at a particular time. Also, symbol according to Merriam Webster Dictionary is something that stands for or suggests something else, by reason of relationship, association, convention and accidental resemblance.
Moreso, Metaphor is a figure of speech that deals with direct sense relation or sense comparison in a situation whereby we have two entities of different classes with identical qualities or features, whereby one serves as the source and another, the target. And Idiom according to Merriam Webster Dictionary is a style or form of artistic expression, that is, characteristics of an individual, a period or a movement, or a medium or an instrument.
Finally, Hilda Cookathon is a phrase that describes a Nigerian lady who participated in the Cookathon competition to break the Guinness World Record of the longest cooking duration- 87 hours, 45 minutes, in the year 2019.
And in the year 2023, Hilda Baci, a Nigerian lady decided to challenge the 87 hours, 45 minutes. She did challenge it openly, she broke the record and she still surpassed it, thereby setting a new record, with the determination to reach 100 hours, which is approximately four days straight, day and night, with an hour rest and medical check-up each day. She has exhibited resilience, determination, fulfilment, and others.
All these qualities have influenced the mind and attitude of the audience that, nothing is impossible when you set your mind to it. All this has entered into the lexicon of Nigerian English, based on the way Nigerian have been using the act to describe different actions with respect to the context of language use. E.g. we will “Hilda” – endure, it.
Prior to the idea that birthed this article, I was ruminating on the common idiom we know, Achilles’ heel, meaning weakness. Now, as a Pragmatician who uses context to arrive at meaning, I immediately contextualise the qualities of Hilda Baci, the Cookathon contestant, and I realised that, it is the opposite of the popular idiom, Achilles’ heels.
The weakness of Achilles’ heel led to his weakness and downfall. Meanwhile, Hilda, a proper noun and a person’s name has been ascribed the following qualities which can be used in a expression whereby, only those with the common background about “Hilda” would have the knowledge of what the lexeme means in an expression – it has been summarised in the first paragraph of this article. It is important to note that all these qualities can belong to any word class based on the function it’s performing in a particular context where it is being used.
QUALITIES OF HILDA BACI BASED ON THE COOKATHON’S GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
1) Perseverance
2) Focus
3) Determination
4) Purpose
5) Fulfilment
6) Endurance
7) Resilience
8) Faith
9) Possibility
10) Strength
11) Victory
12) Hope
Subsequently, looking at some of these qualities, they can be used as symbols of strength, hope, resilience, faith, etc., as a direct comparison, that is, metaphor- strength, purpose, etc. Like the way we have lion- bravery, goat – stubbornness, and so on.
Finally, based on the context surrounding the phrase, Achilles’ heel, meaning was ascribed to it, also, we talk of Hilda, who through the thorns and thickness went through the Cookathon challenge, and came out “Hildalically”- victoriously.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, from the testimony of Hilda, she has been preparing for this Cookathon for the past five (5) solid years, just to go through a four-day Cookathon challenge, and her determination, resilience, faith, hope, etc, all helped her to be who she is today, a victorious cook or chef. She followed the principles needed to be a hildafull or successful cook or chef.
Yes, people, fans, lovers, etc. were motivating her in the course of the challenge, but one thing I am very sure of is that, out of 100% success, 5% goes to the aspect of motivation. For without determination, resilience, purpose and hope on her part, motivation may not be applicable to what was needed to be achieved at that point in time, based on the saying that, “where there is a will, there’s a way,” and indirectly, “where there’s no will, there’s no way”. Your determination, resilience, strength, purpose and hope, give way to the effectiveness of motivation in the choice of your career and purpose fulfilment. The question is, “have you found your purpose today?” If not, kindly discover it, Hildalically, and become “Hildalised” – determined to achieve something worthwhile, reasonable and great in life, irrespective of your gender, background, religion and tribe. One day, your Hildalisation – determination will payoff., and the world will celebrate you Hildalically – victoriously, like Hilda Baci is being celebrated today.
© Joseph I. Babatunde, 2023
