If you want to be able to read and write in Igbo then the first step is learning the alphabet.
This can be daunting at first but with the right resources you’ll master it in no time.
This guide will give you the resources you need and tell you how to learn the Igbo alphabet.
So, how much do you actually need to learn?
Table of Contents
How Many Letters Are There In The Igbo Alphabet?
The Igbo alphabet originated in the 17th century and is derived from the Latin script.
The alphabet consists of 36 letters. There are 8 vowels and 28 consonants.
This includes 23 letters from the standard Latin alphabet and 13 other letters.
The alphabet also uses certain marks known as ‘diacritics’ to indicate certain sounds. These diacritics alter the pronunciation of the letter. These marks will appear as either a dot underneath a letter or a line above it e.g. ọ or ī.
Accent marks are also commonly used above letters to indicate tone.
This might sound complicated but there are plenty of resources out there to help you learn the Igbo alphabet. There’s lots of variety and different resources that meet different peoples needs.
Let’s have a look at some.
Learn The Igbo Alphabet Online
There’s plenty of great online resources that will help you learn the Igbo alphabet, many of which are completely free.
Quizlet
Quizlet is an online learning tool that uses flashcards and games to help you learn!
They have a free flashcard deck featuring the Igbo alphabet. There’s loads of different ways to study the flashcards with Quizlet.
I’d recommend using the ‘Learn’ feature which creates a personalised study plan just for you and uses spaced repetition to help you master the alphabet. You can also learn with games such as ‘Match’ where you match the corresponding letters.
Learn The Igbo Alphabet With YouTube Videos
YouTube is a fantastic resource for learning any language as there are so many videos uploaded everyday from all around the world.
Videos are really useful resources as they will help you to improve your pronunciation. It’s important to know how to say the letters of the alphabet correctly.
I’ve selected a few handy videos that you can use to help you learn the Igbo alphabet.
Video Resource 1
This video is a useful resource for learning the pronunciation of each letter. The speaker goes into lots of detail on each letter and gives lots of examples of English words with similar sounds to help your understanding.
Check it out below:
Video Resource 2
This is also a useful video which goes over the pronunciation of each letter showing you how to say them and also giving examples of Igbo words which use that letter so you can hear how they sound in a word.
Check it out below:
Video Resource 3
This fun video is aimed at kids. The speaker goes over each letter with the help of a puppet giving examples of words that use the letters.
Check it out below:
Igbo Alphabet Song
This fun Igbo alphabet song video aimed at kids is a great way to remember the Igbo alphabet as it’s super memorable. Sing along and learn the alphabet.
Check it out below:
Learn The Igbo Alphabet With Books
Books are especially good for learning how to read and write Igbo letters. If you want to be able to read and write in Igbo then try out some of these resources.
Reference Book
If you’re looking for a book that goes into lots of detail then try ‘Comprehensive Igbo Language’. It’s a great reference point that covers the alphabet in lots of detail and gives lots of examples so you can truly master the Igbo alphabet.
Kids Alphabet Book
If you’re looking for a simple kids book that goes over each letter providing you with plenty of examples of how to use the letters then try this kid’s Igbo alphabet book. It’s very simple, but would be great for kids or anyone who wants a simple reference guide of the alphabet.
Thanks for reading this guide on how to learn the Igbo alphabet. I’ve covered a range of different resources for all different types of learners, hopefully you found something useful that suits your learning style.
If you found this post useful, you may also want to learn how to say I love you in Igbo.
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