Kigala

Igala Literacy: Harnessing the Power of Metalanguage

CULTURE, EDUCATION, HISTORY, IGALA GRAMMAR, LANGUAGE, LIFESTYLE, LITERATURE, Mathematics, METALANGUAGE, NATURE, NUMBERS, RENNAISSANCE, ToneJanuary 5, 2025January 6, 2025

The advancement of Igala literacy hinges on uncovering the hidden attributes of language—insights that only metalanguage can reveal and analyze.”

The advancement of Igala literacy hinges on uncovering the hidden attributes of language – insights that only metalanguage can reveal and analyze.

ONE WORD (EBI) MANY MEANINGS

EDUCATION, LANGUAGE, LIFESTYLE, LITERATURE, RENNAISSANCE, Tone, Uncategorized, VOCABULARY, WRITINGNovember 2, 2024November 2, 2024

In Igala language, like in many other languages, one word can produce diverse meanings, depending on the different tones used to articulate it. Some of these words are often categorized as homonyms and heteronyms. Let’s explore what they mean and look at some examples, using the unmarked word of the day: EBI. The unmarked form, ‘ebi’ is meaningless; but when it is pronounced with varied tone combinations, its meanings emerge naturally. 1. Homonym: ÈBI A […]

Euphemism: A Catalyst for Polite Expression in Igala language and Culture

ANTHROPOLOGY, CULTURE, EDUCATION, HISTORY, LANGUAGE, LIFESTYLE, LITERATURE, NATURE, RENNAISSANCE, VOCABULARY, WRITINGOctober 17, 2024October 17, 2024

In any vibrant Igala speech community, euphemisms serve as the spices that give unique flavour to the language. A euphemism, simply put, is a gentle or indirect word or phrase is used to express a sensitive or an unsavoury idea. But, in Igala speech, euphemisms are more than just polite language – they represent finesse, creativity and a deep understanding of the human experience. Euphemisms, in Igala thought, go beyond linguistic embellishments on the surface, […]

The Miraculous Marvels of Mandrake Tree

ANTHROPOLOGY, CULTURE, EDUCATION, HISTORY, LANGUAGE, LIFESTYLE, LITERATURE, NATURE, NUMBERS, RENNAISSANCE, Story, Uncategorized, VOCABULARY, WRITINGAugust 13, 2024

The Mandrake tree (Mandragora officinarum) is renowned worldwide as “the most famous of all magical plants,” according to Wikipedia. Growing up in the late fifties, I remember a wealthy man in my neighborhood who was often referred to as named “Ìchábù-Ólíná.” I was always curious about the meaning of ‘Olina’. I tried breaking down the word into ‘ólí’ (tree) and ‘íná’ (sacred, supreme) in an attempt to decipher its significance, but it remained elusive. It […]

The Kindred Languages: Igala, Yoruba, and Itsekiri

ANTHROPOLOGY, CALCULATIONS, CULTURE, EDUCATION, HISTORY, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, Mathematics, NATURE, NUMBERS, RENNAISSANCE, Story, Uncategorized, VOCABULARY, WRITINGJuly 21, 2024July 21, 2024

During my stay of over a decade in Southwest Nigeria – precisely Lagos – in the 1980s and 90s, I often heard people say “Igala language is an offshoot of the Yoruba language” in view of the similarities between them” I usually disagreed with them, explaining that research had established that Igala and Yoruba share a common ancestry. I also added that, along with Itsekiri, the languages form a trio of interconnected tongues. The three […]