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Watch a recording of Session 11 from our free Igbo language class held on Zoom below ↓

View slides here.

Quick recap

The class focused on learning and practicing Igbo words related to time and dates, with students engaging in exercises to translate and understand time-related phrases under the guidance of Uzoma. The session included discussions on correct pronunciation, translation, and cultural nuances of Igbo language usage, particularly regarding time concepts and their proper application. The group also explored the representation of the Gregorian calendar in Igbo and discussed various language patterns and structures, with plans to continue exploring these topics in future classes.

Next steps

All participants to study and master the Igbo words and phrases related to time and date shared in the class materials.
Uzoma to send the corrected file with Igbo words and phrases to all participants.
All participants to prepare for next Sunday's class, which will conclude the discussion on time-related topics in Igbo.
All participants to practice answering basic questions about time and date in Igbo.
Uzoma to prepare a lesson on Igbo sentence structure and patterns for a future class.

Summary Notes

Igbo Time Vocabulary Practice

The class focused on learning and practicing Igbo words related to time and dates, including "month," "seconds," "minutes," "day," "clock," and others. Uzoma led the session, guiding students through pronunciation and sentence construction in both Igbo and English. Students engaged in exercises to translate time-related phrases, with some assistance from Queen and Data. The session aimed to reinforce learning from the previous week and prepare students for further practice.

Igbo Time Vocabulary Discussion

Uzoma led a discussion on Igbo language usage, focusing on words related to time and their correct application. He explained the differences between words like "Oge" and "Mgbe" for indicating when something happened, and clarified that "Uzo" can mean early or road. The group practiced pronouncing and using these words in context, with Queen and Ikenna participating in the exercises.

Igbo Language Pronunciation Guide

The group discussed the correct pronunciation and translation of Igbo phrases, focusing on the importance of understanding context to avoid misunderstandings. Uzoma emphasized the need to pay attention to context and not just learn the language word-for-word, using examples to illustrate how certain phrases can be interpreted differently in context. They also explored the correct way to express concepts like "left" and "slow" in Igbo, highlighting the cultural nuances and the importance of repetition in certain expressions.

Igbo Language and Cultural Concepts

Uzoma discussed the Igbo language concept of "omu" which refers to the act of giving birth, explaining that in Igbo culture, birthdays are not fixed dates but rather associated with the season or market day when someone was born. He also explained the linguistic pattern of using repetition when attributing qualities to something that doesn't naturally possess them, using examples like "shining" and "bright." The discussion included a review of language spelling and pronunciation, with Ikenna pointing out a typo that needed clarification.

Gregorian Calendar in Igbo Language

Uzoma led a discussion on learning the Gregorian calendar in Igbo, focusing on how to represent months and days of the week using numbers and the Igbo alphabet. He explained that January is represented as "one" and February as "two," and demonstrated how to write months like February, March, and April in Igbo. Uzoma also covered how to say days of the week in Igbo, noting that Sunday has a special name, "Ubochi Uka," which is different from other days.

Igbo Language Pronunciation Practice

The class discussed Igbo language lessons, focusing on understanding and pronouncing specific phrases and words. Uzoma explained the context and meaning of certain Igbo phrases, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to context to avoid misunderstandings. The students practiced pronouncing and interpreting phrases, with Uzoma providing corrections and explanations. The session concluded with a brief discussion about scheduling the next Igbo class.

Igbo Language Structure and Grammar

The group discussed Igbo language learning and grammar, focusing on sentence structure and conjugation. Chukwuemeka raised questions about certain phrases, which led to a discussion about how language patterns and structures can affect word forms. Uzoma explained that while some phrases might sound unusual to non-native speakers, they are technically correct. The group also touched on the concept of "Izu" and its various meanings, including conspiracy and meeting. They agreed to further explore these topics in future classes.

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