Difference between revisions of "Igbo phrasebook"
From Halal Explorer
m (Text replacement - " " to " ") |
m (Text replacement - "== Muslim Friendly Shopping in " to "== Shopping in ") |
||
(32 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | + | [[file:Igbo welcome banner.jpg|1280px|ftt=yes}} | |
− | Countries with Igbo as an official language.svg|Igbo is spoken widely in West and West-Central Africa and is a national language of Nigeria and a recognised language of Equatorial Guinea. | + | Countries with Igbo as an official language.svg|Igbo is spoken widely in West and West-Central Africa and is a national language of Nigeria and a recognised language of [[Equatorial Guinea]]. |
Ukara cloth - An Ókárá Ẹ̀kpẹ̀ resist-dyed with nsibidi symbols. | Ukara cloth - An Ókárá Ẹ̀kpẹ̀ resist-dyed with nsibidi symbols. | ||
− | '''Igbo''' (''ásụ̀sụ̀ Ìgbò'') is a Niger-Congo language spoken primarily in Nigeria. There are between 18–25 million Igbo speakers living primarily in Southeast Nigeria|southeastern Nigeria in an area known as Igboland. Igbo is a national language of Nigeria and is also recognised in Equatorial Guinea. Igbo is made up of many different dialects which aren't mutually intelligible to other Igbo speakers at times. A standard for Igbo called 'Igbo izugbe' has been developed. Igbo is written in the Latin alphabet introduced by British colonialists and missionaries. Secret societies such as the Ekpe use nsibidi ideograms to write Igbo and other languages around its area of influence. Nsibidi is an ideographic writing system used for over 500 years. | + | '''Igbo''' (''ásụ̀sụ̀ Ìgbò'') is a Niger-Congo language spoken primarily in [[Nigeria]]. There are between 18–25 million Igbo speakers living primarily in Southeast Nigeria|southeastern Nigeria in an area known as Igboland. Igbo is a national language of Nigeria and is also recognised in [[Equatorial Guinea]]. Igbo is made up of many different dialects which aren't mutually intelligible to other Igbo speakers at times. A standard for Igbo called 'Igbo izugbe' has been developed. Igbo is written in the Latin alphabet introduced by British colonialists and missionaries. Secret societies such as the Ekpe use nsibidi ideograms to write Igbo and other languages around its area of influence. Nsibidi is an ideographic writing system used for over 500 years. |
Major cities where Igbo is most spoken include Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri (''oh-weh-reh''), Port Harcourt, and Asaba (in Igbo, ''ah-hah-bah''). | Major cities where Igbo is most spoken include Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri (''oh-weh-reh''), Port Harcourt, and Asaba (in Igbo, ''ah-hah-bah''). | ||
− | Through the transatlantic slave trade and the Igbo language has influenced many creole languages in the Americas, especially in the former British Caribbean, including islands such as Jamaica, Barbados, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Variations of Igbo known as Suámo can be found in Cuba. Igbo is spoken by a significant number of people on Bioko island in Equatorial Guinea, formerly known as Fernando Po, and in micro-communities in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, and it is also spoken by recent migrants of Igbo descent all over the world. | + | Through the transatlantic slave trade and the Igbo language has influenced many creole languages in the Americas, especially in the former British Caribbean, including islands such as [[Jamaica]], [[Barbados]], [[Dominica]], and [[Trinidad and Tobago]]. Variations of Igbo known as Suámo can be found in [[Cuba]]. Igbo is spoken by a significant number of people on Bioko island in [[Equatorial Guinea]], formerly known as Fernando Po, and in micro-communities in [[Cameroon]] and [[Equatorial Guinea]], and it is also spoken by recent migrants of Igbo descent all over the world. |
==Pronunciation guide== | ==Pronunciation guide== | ||
Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
Nouns in Igbo have no grammatical number and there are no gendered pronouns or objects. Igbo grammar generally maintains a subject–verb–object clause order; ''mádụ̀ àbụ́ghị̀ chúkwú'', "human[s -[itis[not -God", "man is not God". Adjectives in Igbo are post-modifiers, although there are very few Igbo adjectives in the Closed class|closed class; many so called "adjectives" in Igbo are considered nouns, especially when the word is a pre-modifier like im ''ágádí nwóké'' transliterated as "elderly man". Igbo features vowel harmony between two vowels and commonly features vowel assimilation where a preceding vowel influences the articulation (or the elision with /a/) of the next such as in ''ǹk'â'', "this one", analysed as ''ǹkè'' "of" and ''â'' "this". Igbo syllable shapes are CV (consonant, vowel) which is the most common, V, and North which are syllabic nasals and there are also semi vowels like /CjV/ in the word ''bìá'' (/bjá/) "come" and /CwV/ in ''gwú'' /ɡʷú/ "swim". | Nouns in Igbo have no grammatical number and there are no gendered pronouns or objects. Igbo grammar generally maintains a subject–verb–object clause order; ''mádụ̀ àbụ́ghị̀ chúkwú'', "human[s -[itis[not -God", "man is not God". Adjectives in Igbo are post-modifiers, although there are very few Igbo adjectives in the Closed class|closed class; many so called "adjectives" in Igbo are considered nouns, especially when the word is a pre-modifier like im ''ágádí nwóké'' transliterated as "elderly man". Igbo features vowel harmony between two vowels and commonly features vowel assimilation where a preceding vowel influences the articulation (or the elision with /a/) of the next such as in ''ǹk'â'', "this one", analysed as ''ǹkè'' "of" and ''â'' "this". Igbo syllable shapes are CV (consonant, vowel) which is the most common, V, and North which are syllabic nasals and there are also semi vowels like /CjV/ in the word ''bìá'' (/bjá/) "come" and /CwV/ in ''gwú'' /ɡʷú/ "swim". | ||
− | Igbo dialects are roughly split into a Northern Igbo (''NI'') and Southern Igbo (''SI'') class which is defined by the area in southeastern Nigeria where Igbo is spoken. Further classification can split the Northern Igbo dialect into a Inland Western Igbo dialect (areas around Onitsha and Awka), a Northeastern Igbo dialect (around Abakaliki) and a Western Igbo or Niger Igbo dialect (Asaba to Agbor); the Southern Igbo dialect can be split between a South Central or Inland East Igbo dialect (around Owerri and Aba), an Eastern or Cross River Igbo dialect (around Arochukwu and Afikpo), and a Riverine or Niger Delta Igbo dialect (around | + | Igbo dialects are roughly split into a Northern Igbo (''NI'') and Southern Igbo (''SI'') class which is defined by the area in southeastern Nigeria where Igbo is spoken. Further classification can split the Northern Igbo dialect into a Inland Western Igbo dialect (areas around Onitsha and Awka), a Northeastern Igbo dialect (around Abakaliki) and a Western Igbo or Niger Igbo dialect (Asaba to Agbor); the Southern Igbo dialect can be split between a South Central or Inland East Igbo dialect (around Owerri and Aba), an Eastern or Cross River Igbo dialect (around Arochukwu and Afikpo), and a Riverine or Niger Delta Igbo dialect (around [[Bonn]]y Island and Port Harcourt). In reality there are dozens of Igbo dialects all with their own subtleties and the farther one dialect group is from the other and the less they'll probably be able to understand each other. In response to the feasible difficulty of Igbo speakers understanding the opposite extremes of the dialects to theirs, a Standard Igbo dialect (''Ìgbò ìzùgbé'') has since evolved from the early 20th century and is the standard used for official uses and education. In training, Standard Igbo has no population base in the Igbo speaking world and is largely ignored except for in formal education. There has also been much criticism and rejection of the constructed language, with accusations of inauthenticity, difficulty, and bias towards dialects that were chosen in the forming of the dialect. |
===Addressing people=== | ===Addressing people=== | ||
− | + | Greeting others| | |
Using special greetings when addressing elders of the society and those generally significantly older than you is expected in Igbo society. In smaller communities such as villages, it is also expected of non-elders to greet every elder whenever you first see them in a day. Here are some of the greetings used between different levels of the society. | Using special greetings when addressing elders of the society and those generally significantly older than you is expected in Igbo society. In smaller communities such as villages, it is also expected of non-elders to greet every elder whenever you first see them in a day. Here are some of the greetings used between different levels of the society. | ||
Line 124: | Line 124: | ||
===Written Igbo=== | ===Written Igbo=== | ||
− | Indomie Igbo Advert, Abia - Indomie | + | Indomie Igbo Advert, Abia - Indomie [https://ehalal.io/buy-halal-food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles] advert in Igbo, Abia State |
There are hundreds of Igbo dialects and Igboid languages spoken by different clans and former nation-states. The high variation and low mutual intelligibility between many Igbo dialects has been a hindrance to written Igbo and Igbo literature over the years. This has led to the development of a standard form of Igbo known as 'standard Igbo' or ''Igbo izugbe''. This standard form was based on dialects around the central parts of Igboland. Although it is was created to boost Igbo literature, it received a little bit of backlash and opposition from Igbo speakers such as author Chinua Achebe, who see it as artificial and prefer to speak their own dialects. Igbo izubge is the standard used in the curriculum of Igbo language studies, and an Igbo lingua franca. | There are hundreds of Igbo dialects and Igboid languages spoken by different clans and former nation-states. The high variation and low mutual intelligibility between many Igbo dialects has been a hindrance to written Igbo and Igbo literature over the years. This has led to the development of a standard form of Igbo known as 'standard Igbo' or ''Igbo izugbe''. This standard form was based on dialects around the central parts of Igboland. Although it is was created to boost Igbo literature, it received a little bit of backlash and opposition from Igbo speakers such as author Chinua Achebe, who see it as artificial and prefer to speak their own dialects. Igbo izubge is the standard used in the curriculum of Igbo language studies, and an Igbo lingua franca. | ||
Line 130: | Line 130: | ||
==Phrase list== | ==Phrase list== | ||
===Basics=== | ===Basics=== | ||
− | + | Common signs|Although most signs in the Igbo-speaking areas of Nigeria may be in English, it will still be helpful to learn some of these signs in case you find your self in a more rural community. | |
; OPEN : Mèpòrù (may-poe-roo) | ; OPEN : Mèpòrù (may-poe-roo) | ||
; CLOSED : Mèchiélé (MAY-chi-EH-LE) | ; CLOSED : Mèchiélé (MAY-chi-EH-LE) | ||
Line 173: | Line 173: | ||
===Problems=== | ===Problems=== | ||
− | + | Body parts| | |
; head : ''ísí'' (''EE-SEE'') | ; head : ''ísí'' (''EE-SEE'') | ||
; face: ''íhú'' (''EE-HUE'') | ; face: ''íhú'' (''EE-HUE'') | ||
Line 350: | Line 350: | ||
====Days==== | ====Days==== | ||
− | + | Ịzu afia/ahia - Market week| | |
The traditional week in Igbo speaking communities consists of 4 days, each is indicative of a particular market of many different communities. The market days were established by the god-like Eri, an important Igbo ancestor of the 1st millennium AD. Market days are very important to various Igbo communities as they are used to mark major events in the community. Each community is assigned a special day for their market; in a village group no other markets are to be held on a particular villages day. The names of the market days are also used for cardinal directions in some Igbo communities. | The traditional week in Igbo speaking communities consists of 4 days, each is indicative of a particular market of many different communities. The market days were established by the god-like Eri, an important Igbo ancestor of the 1st millennium AD. Market days are very important to various Igbo communities as they are used to mark major events in the community. Each community is assigned a special day for their market; in a village group no other markets are to be held on a particular villages day. The names of the market days are also used for cardinal directions in some Igbo communities. | ||
Line 376: | Line 376: | ||
====Months==== | ====Months==== | ||
− | + | Oguaro/afọ - Traditional calendar| | |
The calendar of the Igbo people is known as ''Oguaro'' or ''Oguafor'' (lit. 'counting of the years'). Month in Igbo is ''ọnwa'' (lit. 'moon'), year is 'afọ'. The traditional Igbo year has 13 months which are usually named after their position in the year; most are named after a religious ceremony or after a certain deity such as Ana the mother alusi (deity, 'Northern Igbo' dialect) of the earth. The traditional 13 month calendar is commonly used in Igbo society, instead the Gregorian 12 month calendar is used. Below are the months of the year in the traditional 13 week Ọ̀guụ́árọ̀ calendar of the Ǹrì Ìgbò community and their Gregorian equivalents. Many Igbo communities have variations of the 13 month lunar calendar reflecting their own traditions and holidays, including different dates for marking the New Year and different names for the months. The Ǹrì Ìgbò calendar however is one of the oldest and is historically influential. The calendar is in it's 1014th year as of February 2023. | The calendar of the Igbo people is known as ''Oguaro'' or ''Oguafor'' (lit. 'counting of the years'). Month in Igbo is ''ọnwa'' (lit. 'moon'), year is 'afọ'. The traditional Igbo year has 13 months which are usually named after their position in the year; most are named after a religious ceremony or after a certain deity such as Ana the mother alusi (deity, 'Northern Igbo' dialect) of the earth. The traditional 13 month calendar is commonly used in Igbo society, instead the Gregorian 12 month calendar is used. Below are the months of the year in the traditional 13 week Ọ̀guụ́árọ̀ calendar of the Ǹrì Ìgbò community and their Gregorian equivalents. Many Igbo communities have variations of the 13 month lunar calendar reflecting their own traditions and holidays, including different dates for marking the New Year and different names for the months. The Ǹrì Ìgbò calendar however is one of the oldest and is historically influential. The calendar is in it's 1014th year as of February 2023. | ||
Line 411: | Line 411: | ||
===Seasons=== | ===Seasons=== | ||
− | There are only two seasons in the Igbo homeland; the dry season and the rainy season. There is also a dusty trade wind known as harmattan that blows throughout West Africa. | + | There are only two seasons in the Igbo homeland; the dry season and the rainy season. There is also a dusty trade wind known as harmattan that blows throughout [[West Africa]]. |
; Rainy season : Ùdù ḿmírí (''oo-doo MMonday - MEE-REE'') | ; Rainy season : Ùdù ḿmírí (''oo-doo MMonday - MEE-REE'') | ||
Line 557: | Line 557: | ||
===Eating=== | ===Eating=== | ||
− | + | What do you say...| | |
Thank you, please and sorry can be useful in any society. The Igbo forms of these phrases are as follows. | Thank you, please and sorry can be useful in any society. The Igbo forms of these phrases are as follows. | ||
Line 571: | Line 571: | ||
; Is there a house specialty? : Ọ dì íhnyé nani ha ne shi nga? (''aw dee EE-HEE-YEAH NAH-NEE HAH nay SHEE in-GAH?'') | ; Is there a house specialty? : Ọ dì íhnyé nani ha ne shi nga? (''aw dee EE-HEE-YEAH NAH-NEE HAH nay SHEE in-GAH?'') | ||
; Is there a local specialty? : Ọ dì ihe ori ha ma ndi ebe nka màkà? (''aw dee EE-HEE-YEAH oh-REE HAH mah IN-DEE AY-BAY in-KAH-ah mah-kah?'') | ; Is there a local specialty? : Ọ dì ihe ori ha ma ndi ebe nka màkà? (''aw dee EE-HEE-YEAH oh-REE HAH mah IN-DEE AY-BAY in-KAH-ah mah-kah?'') | ||
− | ; I'm a | + | ; I'm a [https://ehalal.io/buy-halal-food/plant-based-food/ Vegetarian]. : Monday bu vegitériyan. (''MM boo veh-gee-TEH-REE-yen.'') |
; I don't eat Pork. : À nam e ri ánú ézì. (''ah-NAHM eh REE AH-NOO AY-zee.'') | ; I don't eat Pork. : À nam e ri ánú ézì. (''ah-NAHM eh REE AH-NOO AY-zee.'') | ||
; I don't eat beef. : À nam e ri ánú efi. (''ah-NAHM eh REE AH-NOO AY-FEE.'') | ; I don't eat beef. : À nam e ri ánú efi. (''ah-NAHM eh REE AH-NOO AY-FEE.'') | ||
Line 585: | Line 585: | ||
; I want _____. : Monday chọrọ _____. (''MM chore-roh.'') | ; I want _____. : Monday chọrọ _____. (''MM chore-roh.'') | ||
; I want a dish containing _____. : Monday chọrọ órí _____. (''MM chore-roh OH-REE'') | ; I want a dish containing _____. : Monday chọrọ órí _____. (''MM chore-roh OH-REE'') | ||
− | ; chicken : ánú ọkúkọ (''AH-NOO aw-KOO-koh'') | + | ; [https://ehalal.io/buy-halal-food/halal-chicken-meat/ Chicken] : ánú ọkúkọ (''AH-NOO aw-KOO-koh'') |
; beef : ánú efi (''AH-NOO ay-FEE'') | ; beef : ánú efi (''AH-NOO ay-FEE'') | ||
; goat : ánú éwú (''AH-NOO AY-WOO'') | ; goat : ánú éwú (''AH-NOO AY-WOO'') | ||
; fish : azụ (''AH-zoo'') | ; fish : azụ (''AH-zoo'') | ||
; ham : ánú ezi (''AH-NOO AY-ZEE'') | ; ham : ánú ezi (''AH-NOO AY-ZEE'') | ||
− | ; | + | ; [https://ehalal.io/asean-halal-food/halal-shop/halal-sausages/ Sausages] : sọseji (''SOH-seh-jee'') |
− | ; cheese : chizu (''CHEE-zoo'') | + | ; [https://ehalal.io/asean-halal-food/halal-shop/halal-certified-cheese-food-products/ Cheese] : chizu (''CHEE-zoo'') |
; yam : jí (''JEE'') | ; yam : jí (''JEE'') | ||
; eggs : àkwá (''ah-KWAH'') | ; eggs : àkwá (''ah-KWAH'') | ||
Line 599: | Line 599: | ||
; bread : achicha (''ah-chee-chah'') | ; bread : achicha (''ah-chee-chah'') | ||
; toast : tosutu (''TOE-SU-too'') | ; toast : tosutu (''TOE-SU-too'') | ||
− | ; | + | ; [https://ehalal.io/buy-halal-food/halal-certified-noodles/ Noodles] : índomi (''IN-DOE-mee'') |
− | ; rice : osikapa (''aw-see-kah-pah'') | + | ; [https://ehalal.io/asean-halal-food/halal-shop/halal-certified-rice/ Rice] : osikapa (''aw-see-kah-pah'') |
; soup : ǹsàlà, súpu (''in-sah-lah, SOO-poo'') | ; soup : ǹsàlà, súpu (''in-sah-lah, SOO-poo'') | ||
; stew/soup (like Gumbo|gumbo) : ófé (''OH-FAY'') | ; stew/soup (like Gumbo|gumbo) : ófé (''OH-FAY'') | ||
Line 609: | Line 609: | ||
; May I have a bottle of _____? : Monday nweriki were otu kalama _____? (''mm weh-REE-KEE WEH-REH OH-too KAH-lah-mah _____?'') | ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Monday nweriki were otu kalama _____? (''mm weh-REE-KEE WEH-REH OH-too KAH-lah-mah _____?'') | ||
Nmili Ukwa A drink from special ukwa porridge from Igbo land Eastern part of Nigeria - Nmili Ukwa, a beverage made of African breadfruit | Nmili Ukwa A drink from special ukwa porridge from Igbo land Eastern part of Nigeria - Nmili Ukwa, a beverage made of African breadfruit | ||
− | ; coffee : kọfi (''KOR-fi'') | + | ; [https://ehalal.io/buy-halal-food/halal-coffee-tea/ coffee] : kọfi (''KOR-fi'') |
; tea (''drink'') : ti (''tee'') | ; tea (''drink'') : ti (''tee'') | ||
; juice : ùmì ósísí, jusu (''oo-mee OH-SEE-SEE, joo-soo'') | ; juice : ùmì ósísí, jusu (''oo-mee OH-SEE-SEE, joo-soo'') | ||
Line 615: | Line 615: | ||
; water : mmiri (''mm-MI-ri'') | ; water : mmiri (''mm-MI-ri'') | ||
; organic juice : biye (''bee-YEAH'') | ; organic juice : biye (''bee-YEAH'') | ||
− | ; | + | ; : waini ufie/ọcha (''WINE-nee OO-fi-yeah/aw-CHAH'') |
; May I have some _____? : O kam nweturu _____ ntakiri? (''aw KAHM WEH-TOO-ROO _____ IN-tah-KEE-REE?'') | ; May I have some _____? : O kam nweturu _____ ntakiri? (''aw KAHM WEH-TOO-ROO _____ IN-tah-KEE-REE?'') | ||
; salt : ńnú (''IN-NOO'') | ; salt : ńnú (''IN-NOO'') | ||
Line 630: | Line 630: | ||
; Do you serve alcohol? : Ì nè ré ḿmáñyá? (''ee NAY ray mm-MAN-YAH?'') | ; Do you serve alcohol? : Ì nè ré ḿmáñyá? (''ee NAY ray mm-MAN-YAH?'') | ||
; Is there table service? : Hà nè ché tébulu? (''HAH neh CHAY TEH-boo-loo?'') | ; Is there table service? : Hà nè ché tébulu? (''HAH neh CHAY TEH-boo-loo?'') | ||
− | ; A | + | ; A Cola/two soft drinks, please. : Ótù ḿmáñyá/ḿmáñyá abụo, biko. (''OH-too MMonday - MAHN-YA ah-BWORE, BEE-COE.'') |
− | ; A glass of | + | ; A glass of fruit cocktail, please. : Nkalama ḿmáñyá mmẹ mmẹ/ọchá, biko. (''NN-kah-lah-mah MMonday - MAHN-YA m-MEH-m-MEH/aw-CHAH, BEE-COE'') |
; A pint, please. : Ótù paint, biko. (''OH-too pah-int, BEE-COE'') | ; A pint, please. : Ótù paint, biko. (''OH-too pah-int, BEE-COE'') | ||
; A bottle, please. : Ótù aba, biko. (''OH-too AH-BAH, BEE-COE'') | ; A bottle, please. : Ótù aba, biko. (''OH-too AH-BAH, BEE-COE'') | ||
− | ; _____ (''hard | + | ; _____ (''hard drink'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ (''ḿmáñyá ȯkụ'') na _____ (''ihe é jị à gbagwa ya''), biko. (''(MMonday - MAHN-YA AW-KUH) nah _____ (EE-HEE-YEAH AY jee ah g-BAH-GUAH YA), BEE-COE.'') |
; stout : stawt (''STAH-woot'') | ; stout : stawt (''STAH-woot'') | ||
; whiskey : wiski (''WEE-skee'') | ; whiskey : wiski (''WEE-skee'') | ||
; vodka : vọ́dkà (''VOHD-kah'') | ; vodka : vọ́dkà (''VOHD-kah'') | ||
− | ; | + | ; : rộm (''ROHM'') |
; spirit : ḿmáñyá ọ́kụ́ (''MMonday - MAHN-YA AW-KUH'') | ; spirit : ḿmáñyá ọ́kụ́ (''MMonday - MAHN-YA AW-KUH'') | ||
− | ; palm | + | ; palm : ḿmáñyá ǹgwọ̀, ḿmáñyá ṅkwú (''MMonday - MAHN-YA nn-gwor, MMonday - MAHN-YA NN-KWOO'') |
; water : mmiri (''MMonday - MEE-REE'') | ; water : mmiri (''MMonday - MEE-REE'') | ||
; drinking water : mmiri ọñuñu (''MMonday - MEE-REE aw-nngoo-goo'') | ; drinking water : mmiri ọñuñu (''MMonday - MEE-REE aw-nngoo-goo'') | ||
Line 655: | Line 655: | ||
; Cheers! : Má mmá nụ̀! (''MA MMA-noo'') | ; Cheers! : Má mmá nụ̀! (''MA MMA-noo'') | ||
− | == | + | == Shopping in {{FULLPAGENAME}} == |
Igbo garment-Nigeria - Igbo garment | Igbo garment-Nigeria - Igbo garment | ||
; Do you have this in my size? : Ì nwẹrẹ ihëa na àsàm?/Ì nwẹrẹ ihëa na amàm? (''...'') | ; Do you have this in my size? : Ì nwẹrẹ ihëa na àsàm?/Ì nwẹrẹ ihëa na amàm? (''...'') | ||
Line 728: | Line 728: | ||
; ó! (''OH'') : 'Okay, all right'<br />A exclamation that often means agreeing with something, although it can sometimes be used as sarcasm, a common situation where this is used is when someone is arrogant in their knowledge of something. It is often used on its own, but can be attached to another word, e.g 'Chim o!' meaning 'my spirit'. | ; ó! (''OH'') : 'Okay, all right'<br />A exclamation that often means agreeing with something, although it can sometimes be used as sarcasm, a common situation where this is used is when someone is arrogant in their knowledge of something. It is often used on its own, but can be attached to another word, e.g 'Chim o!' meaning 'my spirit'. | ||
; héwù! (''HEY-woo'') : 'No!'<br />An expression used in a shocking tragic moment. | ; héwù! (''HEY-woo'') : 'No!'<br />An expression used in a shocking tragic moment. | ||
− | ; Ọ́ dị̀kwà égwù (''AW dee-kwah EH-gwoo'') : ' | + | ; Ọ́ dị̀kwà égwù (''AW dee-kwah EH-gwoo'') : 'Imfeasible'<br />Sometimes used to show absolute rejection of something. |
; tụ̀fíàkwà (''too-FEE-ya-kwa'') : 'God forbid!'<br />Extreme rejection or opposition of something, usually followed with clicking fingers over the head as to rid oneself of the thing in question. This is an often reaction to an abomination. | ; tụ̀fíàkwà (''too-FEE-ya-kwa'') : 'God forbid!'<br />Extreme rejection or opposition of something, usually followed with clicking fingers over the head as to rid oneself of the thing in question. This is an often reaction to an abomination. | ||
; Chínēkè é kwélé ị́hyẹ́ ọ́jọ̄ (''CHEE-NAY-kay EH KWEH-LEH EE-HEE-YEAH OH-JAW'') : 'God will not allow a bad thing'<br />An exclamation made out of shock when a bad thing happens. | ; Chínēkè é kwélé ị́hyẹ́ ọ́jọ̄ (''CHEE-NAY-kay EH KWEH-LEH EE-HEE-YEAH OH-JAW'') : 'God will not allow a bad thing'<br />An exclamation made out of shock when a bad thing happens. | ||
Line 741: | Line 741: | ||
− | [[ja:イボ語会話集 | + | [[ja:イボ語会話集 |
Latest revision as of 08:22, 20 September 2024
[[file:Igbo welcome banner.jpg|1280px|ftt=yes}} Countries with Igbo as an official language.svg|Igbo is spoken widely in West and West-Central Africa and is a national language of Nigeria and a recognised language of Equatorial Guinea. Ukara cloth - An Ókárá Ẹ̀kpẹ̀ resist-dyed with nsibidi symbols.
Igbo (ásụ̀sụ̀ Ìgbò) is a Niger-Congo language spoken primarily in Nigeria. There are between 18–25 million Igbo speakers living primarily in Southeast Nigeria|southeastern Nigeria in an area known as Igboland. Igbo is a national language of Nigeria and is also recognised in Equatorial Guinea. Igbo is made up of many different dialects which aren't mutually intelligible to other Igbo speakers at times. A standard for Igbo called 'Igbo izugbe' has been developed. Igbo is written in the Latin alphabet introduced by British colonialists and missionaries. Secret societies such as the Ekpe use nsibidi ideograms to write Igbo and other languages around its area of influence. Nsibidi is an ideographic writing system used for over 500 years.
Major cities where Igbo is most spoken include Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri (oh-weh-reh), Port Harcourt, and Asaba (in Igbo, ah-hah-bah).
Through the transatlantic slave trade and the Igbo language has influenced many creole languages in the Americas, especially in the former British Caribbean, including islands such as Jamaica, Barbados, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Variations of Igbo known as Suámo can be found in Cuba. Igbo is spoken by a significant number of people on Bioko island in Equatorial Guinea, formerly known as Fernando Po, and in micro-communities in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, and it is also spoken by recent migrants of Igbo descent all over the world.
Contents
Pronunciation guide
Igbo is a tonal language with a high, mid, and low range, in addition there are rising and falling tones. Accents are used to indicate the high and low tones; an acute accent such as 'ó' are used for high tones, and a grave accent such as 'è' is used for a low tone. There are further accents that indicate nasal or backed vowels. The lower dotted accent such as 'ọ' combined with a grave accent ('ọ̀') is used to indicate a low backed vowel, and an upper dotted accent such as 'ė' or a lower dotted accent with an acute accent ('ọ́') is used for a high backed vowel. The trema (¨) such as 'ö' or a simple dot underneath is used for a mid backed vowel. Other diacritics include the caron (ˇ) for rising tones and the circumflex (ˆ) for falling tones, and the macron (¯) for down-steps or long vowels.
Vowels
Vowels in Igbo are very similar to those in English when there is little tone stress on them. Most of the times vowels in Igbo are written with accents indicating this tone.
vowel | English equiv. | vowel | English equiv. | vowel | English equiv. | vowel | English equiv. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
a | like 'a' in "father" | e | like 'e' in "get" | i | like 'ee' in "seen" | ị | low tone nasal 'i' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
o | like 'o' in "coat" | ọ | low tone nasal 'o' | u | like 'oo' in "pool" | ụ | low tone nasal u
ConsonantsConsonants do not have a tone in Igbo apart from 'n' and 'm' which are the only letters that can be written with accent marks.
|