Writing in the Igbo Language: Standards and Trends, by M. C. Onukawa
1.0 Preamble
Before the advent of Christian Missions in Igboland
(through whose efforts the Igbo language was reduced to writing) Igbo, like several
other Nigerian languages, had no written form. The Igbo language, literature,
and culture were transmitted orally from parents to their children, adults to
young ones, generation to generation.
Children “were taught the history, geography, literature, civics, etc., of their people through stories, songs, myths, legends, and even contact with the environment” (Nwadike, 2008, p. 2). They were also taught different traditional trades and spheres of life in practical terms.
The Igbo, however, had some esoteric sign writings through which they kept some accounts and records, and also preserved and transmitted some information (particularly secretly). There was also the NSIBIDI sign writing that was popular among the Igbo and their Ibibio neighbours.
Children “were taught the history, geography, literature, civics, etc., of their people through stories, songs, myths, legends, and even contact with the environment” (Nwadike, 2008, p. 2). They were also taught different traditional trades and spheres of life in practical terms.
The Igbo, however, had some esoteric sign writings through which they kept some accounts and records, and also preserved and transmitted some information (particularly secretly). There was also the NSIBIDI sign writing that was popular among the Igbo and their Ibibio neighbours.
1.1 Some Facts of Orthography
Orthography consists of the letters (i.e the alphabet)
used in writing the sounds, as well as the rules that govern the spelling of
words, phrases and sentences in a language. A good orthography should
therefore provide the following: the alphabet, the spelling rules, the
punctuation marks and the rules governing their use. There are five recognized
principles
that make a good orthography: accuracy, consistency,
convenience, harmonization, and familiarity (Williamson, 1984).
