₦airaland Forum

Guy you're in the US. That's like a lifetime dream achievement for so many people here in NG. The easiest way to learn a language is from childhood . Your dad has missed it, thus you've missed it. Learn just pidgin or better still, move to Nigeria, your LGA preferably if you're so interested in learning your language.
Guy the truth is that language is usually not the priority of the average Nigerian man opportune to travel to the US, the main priority is survival and making it.

Join Boko haram, Afonja or IPOB, you will be just fine.

"Áchọ̀rọ̀ m" (Igbo izugbe) and "Áchọ̀lụ m" (Onitsha dialect) mean "I want", while "Àchọ́rọ̄ m" (Onitsha dialect) and "Àchọ́ghị m" (izugbe) mean "I don't want". Take note of the tone marks. Some words are spelt the same but have different tones. If you understand the difference in tone, you'll realise that "Áchọ̀rọ̀ m" and "Àchọ́rọ̄ m" are different sentences with different meanings.

Cc:uchefefe I am igbo currently resident in the south eastern state of Ebonyi state. I think i can make out time to tutor you on what you seek. I’ll send your a DM. Reply if you’re interested

SmallSimba:
Why don't you teach the children your dialect? Or Grandma is just to top up

Sure, I'm doing. My challenge is my wife is also a learner in the dialect, hers is different. It's easier when the kids are in an environment where the language flows freely.

I think there are apps that teach the Igbo language on playstore. I used Igbo101 to learn the Basic objects and simple sentences in igbo. Start from there.
Then you can watch Igbo movies on YouTube

uchefefe:
Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.

I think part of what stopped ur inability to know Igbo language was ur mum not being Nigerian;hence the major language spoken while growing up was English.I had my early years abroad ; and my parents(both Igbo) always communicated to each other in Igbo & spoke Igbo to us once we get home;so I was fortunate enough to understand the language;and speak fair enough.
But not to worry about;since you already have some idea about Igbo language;& u are Igbo;it will be more beneficial if u learn it.little by little.
My sister watches Igbo movies online(Chief Imo comedy etc) and listens to Igbo music & it has helped brushing her up.
Nwanne m nwanyi;ihe n'iile ga adicha mma (My sister;all will be well)

Wow, tell him what he doesn't know

Evangkatsoulis:
You don't have to learn any nigerian language.
The standard language in Nigeria is English(British english) and pidgin english.
You weren't born or bred in Nigeria, you likely know no body here. So forget about your Nigerian roots and move on.
Unless you want to stay in underdeveloped erosion-ridden south yeastern area of Nigeria you do not need Igbo.
Abuja, Lagos and Ph are the active places in Nigeria and you don't need any local language to go through.

uchefefe:
The bolded are good points. I guess I shouldn't let my frustrations get to me. I just get tired becuase it's not as if I want someone to sit down and give me lessons every day. Just speak to me in it, point out some objects a few times a day and tell me their meaning, anything. When I was putting effort into Yoruba, I always had friends willing to teach me and speak to me in the language. Maybe I will have to look online and find a tutor somewhere.

In your personal experience, do Igbo people in Nigeria often speak their language the way Yoruba people do?


I would like insight onto how you came to this conclusion. I think it will help me.

Download apps on Google store, go to YouTube, subscribe to bbc igbo on instagram, there are groups on instagram like umuigbounite or something like that on instagram and they are located in the US.
Language isnt easy at least for me. I am learning French at the moment though i am registered with an institute,but it hasn't been easy.
My advice, learn your language first before others .

Uchefefe I love the fact that you are willing to connect with your roots, firstly get acquainted with pidgin English this will help you survive in Nigeria.
You can start by watching YouTube videos , Google translate , language apps etc
About the language to learn. Its just be default for you to learn to your language but if the opportunity to learn other languages comes before your own , then you should consider. We can start a thread here for language, also you night consider having to speak with people that speak any of the languages you are willing to learn. Don't forget to holla if you need help

Igbo izugbe is understood in all parts of Igbo land because it is almost the only written Igbo. Igbo Bibles are written in izugbe. Maybe, they have problem with your accent.

iberrylee:
Inferiority complex kee you there, did you bother to read the post? If they ask you to stay in school you will decline, na gala u go prefer to dey hawk for traffic after filling your brain with strong akpu

I guess Nigerian frustration has really dealt with you. You can keep changing monikers and attacking people...but if you check my profile, you will realise nobody in your lineage attained the level of education I acquired. Again, if you wanna disgrace yourself further, we can exchange facebook details via email so that you confirm my life with yours...then you will truly go question your olodumare why he made you poor and kept you in an impoverished state all through your life

Opiletool:
Some Yorubas are also like that, preventing their kids from speaking the language, my sister is guilty of this. I have preached the beauty of being bi or multilingual to her, all to no avail. Her kids can hardly say two words in yoruba, which shouldn't be. But I'm sure they will learn when they grow up.

Yes, the above is true. I have seen quite a number of yoruba kids who can't speak the language but they tend to understand.

These days, i don't know why parents don't speak their languages to their kids. Igbos are the most guilty of this and it is worrisome.
Even in villages in the east, you will hear kids speaking English. It is a cause for concern.

SmallSimba:
This is a big Lie. I did not grow up speaking my language. But after i married and got a child, i learnt my language and my two year old speaks to me exclusively in my tongue.

Who did you learn it from?

dondaddycares:
Unity beggars don come again...open account on 3rd April, already making posts on 8th April. What do you guys gain in fanning the flames of online ethnic hatred and bashing? Why not come out with your real identity rather than claiming Igbo which you ain't, give your location as Ogbomosho rather than claiming U.S, and provoke genuine discussion on the 3 major languages as a way of appreciating diverse cultural discussion rather than trying to pit one people against the other.

Some of you guys are just so predictable,.haba! Someone needs help here and what you think of is that, he's afonja! Ona no De try at all. Shey na only Yoruba be de only tribe wey de Naija ni? Why you guys so obsessed with Yoruba like this? No wonder the op said "his father don't wanna teach him your language"

uchefefe:
Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.

You are Igbo, so it is prudent to learn your root language first before thinking of learning another langauge.

If you plan to base in eastern Nigeria like Onitsha, Aba or Enugu when u settle in Nigeria, learn Igbo.

If u plan to base in western Nigeria like Lagos or Ibadan when u settle in Nigeria, learn Yoruba.

If you plan to base in northern Nigeria like Kano or Kaduna when u settle in Nigeria, learn Hausa.

However, Pidgin English is d general one.
I can teach you u Igbo n Pidgin through Skype. Reading it through books won't do u much good. Igbo laguange is a tone language.

Good luck.

In your personal experience, do Igbo people in Nigeria often speak their language the way Yoruba people do?
The answer is YES.
I'm Yoruba and I marvel at the way the igbos speak anytime I visit the Ladipo auto market in Lagos to the point that I've started learning and understanding the language. Generally, I believe, just like every other cultural aspect, language is a thing of interest. You'd explore every avenue that'd eventually lead to your satisfaction.

uchefefe:
I know Nigerian Pidgin fairly well actually.



I do plan on learning all of them someday. I don't want to just scratch the surface with them though; I want to learn them deeply and fluently. It is difficult to balance that with also working on my doctorate. I will take what you said into account thought, that may be a good approach!



See I really do want to, but it feels as though it has so many more obstacles than the other languages. Learning in the U.S. I have to use books and dictionaries that use Izugbe. Because Izugbe isn't a real dialect I've learned Igbo that no one actually uses to speak. The first time I went to Nigeria and tried talking with my aunts and uncles, none of them understood what I was trying to say becuase Izugbe is so different compared to their dialect. There's also olilo uduame which makes it incredible difficult for me to understand what people are saying. On top of that, Igbo people seem really reluctant to help or even speak the language (at least abroad). I grew up outside of Ala Igbo, but I did belong to a small Igbo community with around 30 adults. I asked all of them and only one was actually willing to help me after my father refused to teach me, the rest just dismissed me. In addition, all the Igbo people in my generation I've met at colleges can't speak Igbo. Even many of my cousins don't speak the language despite being born and raised in Ala Igbo. My experience is limited, so I ask is the language really thiving and worth learning like the other two?

learning igbo outside Nigeria is Herculean, Igbo is fairly difficult language to learn the way you are trying to do. Hausa Yoruba and other tribes that have spent time here in the East, find it difficult to be fluent in Igbo. While igbos easily learn hausa and Yoruba languages. The easiest that you can learn by books is hausa. Hausa language is actually sweet, and very easier to learn. Also the most profitable language to learn in Nigeria and west Africa. If you still want to learn Igbo, there's a book that the old people used, my mom told me about it, according to them the book is almost miraculous because a stack illiterate could use it to learn Igbo in a matter of months, I think the name is akwukwo azu, or something. The book should be very rare now.

uchefefe:
My family speaks Onitsha Dialect. I know it's not a different as something like the dialect spoken in Ebonyi, but it's difficult to figure out what someone is saying as a learner. For example, it took me a while to figure out "achoro m" means "I want" in Onitsha when it means "I don't want" in Izugbe.

@Opiletool and @bigfrancis21
This is honestly where my concern and apprehension with focusing on the language (at least now) comes from; it's future seems very bleak. Will the language still have a significant presence in the future? I can devote all my time and attention into learning the language, but who will I speak it with once the people in my parent's generation are gone? I've never met an Igbo person around my age who uses the language regularly even if they know how to speak it.

My worry is that I'll spend all my time mastering Igbo, then when I teach it to my kids it won't matter because they will live in an environment that doesn't reinforce its value. Can I be sure they'll master the language or even speak it out of the home? Can I be sure that they'll teach it to their own children or their children's children? Maybe I'm thinking too far ahead, but I'm just one Igbo person of several million. Even if 1/4th of us value the language and put effort into preserving it, that can't counterbalance the 3/4th that don't. Then I'll end up struggling to learn another language while also teaching my children that language.



Many African Americans would love to know what cultures their ancestors belonged to. There are millions of black people on the planet that had their language stripped from them, so it's sad seeing so many that still have theirs throwing them away.

Also, thank you for the bolded. It really means a lot to me



It's not just Nigerian, but unfortunately African seem to be among the worst offenders. One thing I will say that is unique to Nigerians is not speaking your language in the presence of those that understand it. I'm in a club for African students at my university. We have around 30 students with about half of them being Igbo. I've been in this club 4 years and have not heard a single word of Igbo at any gathering. Meanwhile I've heard plenty Twi, Ga, and Swahili despite groups speaking these languages being a minority.



I'd like to thank everyone for the Igbo resources and advice. I'll look into them!

achorom means i don't want even in Onitsha dialect

uchefefe:
Could you clarify on this? I'm not sure exactly what you mean.

You can search youtube for videos on learning how to speak either igbo, yoruba or hausa. It will help you alot.

uchefefe:
The bolded are good points. I guess I shouldn't let my frustrations get to me. I just get tired becuase it's not as if I want someone to sit down and give me lessons every day. Just speak to me in it, point out some objects a few times a day and tell me their meaning, anything. When I was putting effort into Yoruba, I always had friends willing to teach me and speak to me in the language. Maybe I will have to look online and find a tutor somewhere.

In your personal experience, do Igbo people in Nigeria often speak their language the way Yoruba people do?


I would like insight onto how you came to this conclusion. I think it will help me.

I really feel for you. You passionately desire to learn but nobody to teach you. I wish I was in ur dad's position.
I have cousins who were born and raised in the US. They are in their 20s now, and basically know nothing about Igbo language.
I have promised myself that my children must learn the language when they are growing up. That's one of the reasons I insisted I must date and marry an Igbo woman, because Igbo Language must be the lingua franca of our home.

It will be much easier to raise ur children to speak Igbo if your wife is Igbo and is willing to speak d same language with you to the kids. I have a friend who grew up in a family where both parents had different native tongues, and the parents decided they must never communicate with them in native languages to avoid causing conflict and misunderstanding in the family.
Your wife may not feel comfortable if you're speaking Igbo to your sons and she's left out of whatever is being said. Apart from that, since you won't always be with the kids, how much can you really teach them when they will spend most of the growing time with their mum (talking about the commonest situation seen in most homes)?

uchefefe:
Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.

Go use YouTube and learn igbo to an extent.

I am sure they have great contents there.

uchefefe:
Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.

Your enquiry is a wise one, however, you must realise that Nigeria is a nation of nations. You are from the IGBO nation. Therefore, start first by learning the language of your nation. Nigeria for now is still a geographical expression. Grab Igbo first then explore the others later.

To be frank, someone of Hausa or Yoruba origin born anywhere outside Nigeria wouldn't contemplate this sort of enquiry. What is really wrong with Ndigbo!!!

RTSC:
You are igbo - a major language in Nigeria.
And you are asking which language to learn?

I am igbo, but some of the most stupid people I have seen in my life are igbo.

A Yoruba can never ask a question like this.

RTSC, you are too combative naaa,my dear.
Chai, you sabi quarell well well o.
Igbos are wonderful people, so are Yorubas, the challenge here is like what we have in all colonized territories around the world. The colonialists have indoctrinated a belief of inferiority in many of us. So at this stage, we have seen that they are only interested in capturing us both physically and MENTALLY (as is the case of languages, history and culture, etc).
Today, many of us are taking up the self-emancipation mission. So that the future generations shall not remain shackled as those from the past and some in this present time.
The OP has been able to see that there is nothing inferior about us as Africans, he is only confused because around him where he says he resides (US), he comes across people who speaks Yoruba more than other Nigerian languages. Igbos would rather speak English outside of the shores of their homeland. And he, being in an environment where people talks about political Nationalities (Nigerians before being Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba), he may believe that being able to speak any of the three major languages is helpful to his plan of returning to Nigeria in future. But he is wrong, we at home have to let him know that at home here, we are Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas etc, before being Nigerians as opposed to the perception of folks who are born and raised outside of these shores.

Thank you RTSC. I enjoy your posts and enjoy the way we bash and quarrel online. God bless you, my brother.

uchefefe:
Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.

Connect me on Whatsapp let me teach you Igbo language. I'm not gonna charge you a dime, just a little help I'm willing to offer freely. In a space of 2 months, you will be fluent in Igbo language, depending on your level of commitment tho. See my signature for number.

uchefefe:
In your personal experience, do Igbo people in Nigeria often speak their language the way Yoruba people do?

They do speak the language. However from my personal experience, the Igbo are somewhat unwilling to teach the language to anyone. It doesn't matter if you are Igbo or not. They are unwilling to teach. I did my national service surrounded by igbo speaking people. One year of my life with Igbo speakers and I didn't learn. And this is me that loves languages and picks it up with some relative ease. Contrast that with when I lived with Yorubas for a little over a year. By month 3 I was already good at understanding most Yoruba conversations. By month 5 I could speak with corrections. By month 10 I could have an intelligible convo in Yoruba. If I was to advice you though, I'd say learn Hausa. It's an easy to learn language as I hear and more importantly it gives a lot of leverage in the corridors of power in the country

I don't mean to insult ur dad Oga poster! But he needs to be flogged 4 saying nobody speaks Igbo language! Because he dey Yankee...na only him b Igbo man wey dey uptown? 4 fvck sake even Chimamanda Adichie taught her child how to speak Igbo language before any other language!

It's common sense 4 Igbos in diaspora... Ur children can learn English in school... But nobody will teach dem Igbo language in school!

Lubbish parenting!

Wish u good luck in your search!

[s]

Olu20090:
Smells like an Afonja unity beggar aka One Nigerian deceiving you. Biafrans, how could you people not sense this? My people why, SMH! I have known these people all my life, so I know when I read their post. This is a certified afonja! No sensible Igbo man believes in this country. I said none if they are honest with themselves and Chukwu Okike Abiama (God of Abraham)

[/s]

uchefefe:
Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.

learn Igbo since u are from Igbo. u can send me a msg with ur WhatsApp number lemme get you along at least i know igbo very well

Opiletool:
Op, as for your future questions, one step at a time is all I can tell you. Learn igbo first, since you say you often find yoruba speakers willing to teach you yoruba, you can also pick one or two words during a conversation. However, devote more time to learning Igbo. Who knows, your kids might even be more passionate than you in their time. And I believe the Igbo language is not gonna die. Stop worrying about future events, when you get to that bridge, you will cross it.

Another suggestion I would like to make is, listen to Igbo songs, then ask any igbo person around you for the meaning of some expressions. That will also help.

I think u should learn Igbo first, join that organization suggested for Igbo's in the us, u could also get someone who could also find a teacher and take Igbo classes online besides Yoruba is easy to learn I don't know about Hausa but I think Hausa is easy too I have seen more ibos than Yoruba speaking hausa. You need not to worry about the future but you have to make sure you language which is Igbo is passed from you to other generation they would always find people around to speak the language to and that is certain, you must not let your children loose connection with the language and their people, come home often and bring your children often, I hope this would help

By the way you won't believe if I tell you NEYO's the American hip hop artiste both parents are Nigerian but he has lost connection of his language and root while Jidenna's parent whose mother is white and father Nigerian could speak Igbo so fluently you would be amazed

as a Yoruba boy bro I encourage you

Opiletool:
As for that question, Yes they do in Lagos where I reside. However, there was a thread created by a guy who was frustrated at the fact that igbo people don't speak the language like yoruba speak theirs. He pointed out several instances. You will find the thread here, it was created not quite long (I think this year).

Also, during my NYSC, I nearly had a scuffle with one of my Corps member over this issue of language. I served in a yoruba state, she was posted to the same school that I was serving. She and some other corps often complain that we Yorubas speak our language too often, and that it isn't the case in the east. I got angry not because she was totally wrong, but because she saw it as a bad thing, and bragged that igbo people speak English more than they do their language. Then I wondered why she should bragged of such? I thought she was being mischievous because when in the midst of Igbo people, they often speak in their mother tongue, until I came across the thread, and realised that she wasn't entirely lying. Albeit the way she bragged about it got me pissed of. It's a shameful thing. Some Yorubas are also like that, preventing their kids from speaking the language, my sister is guilty of this. I have preached the beauty of being bi or multilingual to her, all to no avail. Her kids can hardly say two words in yoruba, which shouldn't be. But I'm sure they will learn when they grow up.

I've lived all my life in Yoruba land and I can't speak Yoruba because my parents preferred speaking to me in English. I even knew a Yoruba guy who grew up in Ibadan who could not speak Yoruba

The best advice I will give Uchefefe is that language was made for man and not man for language.

In your sole quest to speak your native tongue and for your children likewise, you may end up hurting yourself. It is not a do or die affair. There are pitfalls!

For instance, I may advised you to marry an Igbo girl who'll be speaking the language to your children. Better still, let one of her siblings stay with you. You can tell your kids only to speak Igbo with their mum and sibling

The problem is that there is a high risk of divorce if you bring a girl from here there. Their expectations of America are so high and worse empowered by the law there and many end up splitting with their husbands.

Another pitfall is your desire to come and live in Nigeria for a while. That's great but you may end up disappointed. The power cuts and high crime rate (You with your American accent will be a main draw for kidnappers). My siblings were recently in Nigeria with their white spouses. A day before we were to leave Ondo town, we discovered we being followed. Thankfully, there spouses had left a week before.

The best suggestion I have is to set up a group on facebook i.e. How to speak Igbo in America. You'll be surpirsed that thousands will be interested and I'm sure you'll come up with something positive.

Note: As an Igbo, you'll be able to communicate with Igbo's in pidgin as most Igbo's if not all understand it unlike Yorubas and Hausas.

My sister's kids are unhappy with her because they don't understand Yoruba, how much more speak it. Her son who is 15 now has dumped his English name and prefers being called by his Yoruba name. They live in London