Igbo Language
Asụsụ Igbo
Igbo, also known less commonly as Ibo, is a language spoken by approximately 30 million speakers, known as the Igbo people, primarily in Nigeria. It is predominantly spoken in the southeastern region, previously identified as Biafra. Notably, Igbo was referenced by John Goldsmith as an example to advocate for departing from the classical linear model of phonology as outlined in “The Sound Pattern of English.” The language is typically written in the Roman script. Like Yoruba and Chinese, Igbo is classified as a tonal language, where pitch variations distinguish word meanings.
Dialects
The Igbo language encompasses several dialects, distinguished by accents and orthography, yet they are generally mutually intelligible. These include the Idemili Igbo dialect, famously featured in Chinua Achebe’s renowned novel, “Things Fall Apart,” as well as Owerri, Ngwa, Umuahia, Nnewi, Onitsha, Awka, Abriba, Arochukwu, Nsukka, Mbaise, Ohafia, Wawa, and Okigwe dialects.
The diverse range of spoken dialects has posed challenges in establishing a standardized orthography and dialect for the Igbo language. The current Onwu orthography, established in 1962, serves as a compromise between the older Lepsius orthography and a newer orthography advocated by the International Institute of African Languages and Cultures (IIALC).
Central Igbo, a dialect gaining widespread acceptance, is primarily based on the dialects of two Ezinehite group members of the Igbo community in Central Owerri Province.
Situated between the towns of Owerri and Umuahia in Eastern Nigeria, Standard Igbo emerged from its proposal as a literary form in 1939 by Dr. Ida C. Ward. Over time, it garnered acceptance among missionaries, writers, and publishers throughout the region. In response to perceived imperialist tendencies associated with Central Igbo, the Society for Promoting Igbo Language and Culture (SPILC), a nationalist organization, established a Standardization Committee in 1972. This committee aimed to broaden Central Igbo into a more inclusive language. Standard Igbo seeks to enrich Central Igbo by incorporating vocabulary from Igbo dialects beyond the “Central” areas and by embracing loanwords from other languages.
