Heritage Development in English and Igbo Language: 100 Igbo Statements and Proverbs You Should Know

By Mary Na Martha

Why heritage language development?

The need for proficiency in heritage language across the world cannot be overemphasized. United States has an unprecedented need for individuals with highly developed language competencies not only in English but also in many other languages. In fact, the need for individuals with proficiency in languages other than English in social, economic, diplomatic, and geopolitical arenas has been higher. To meet the demand for professionals skilled in languages, a strategy is needed for developing the untapped reservoir of linguistic competence. Majority of African parents are finding it extremely difficult in transmitting their ethnic group language to their younger ones born overseas in the absence of educational support necessary to impact heritage language to their kids. This book seeks to alleviate the problem. It has been said that man attained the level of self-awareness when he began to inquire into his own identity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684983889

Book preview

Title Page

Copyright © 2022 Mary Na Martha

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2022

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

All images are retrieved from Freerange and Unsplash websites.

ISBN 978-1-68498-386-5 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68498-388-9 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

To God be the glory for His inspiration to write the book.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Introduction

Why Heritage Language Development?

Importance of Heritage Language Development

Chapter 2

Igbo Alphabets (Abidi)

What we wear and kitchen objects

Sentences

Chapter 3

Different Ways to Say Thank You

Different Ways to Say Goodbye

Encourage Words

Chapter 4

Numbers

Telling Time

Chapter 5

Parts of the Body

Things We Eat and Types of Soup

Morning Activities

Chapter 6

Professional Skills/Career

Means of transportation

Names of Animals

Chapter 7

Places to Locate People

Chapter 8

Igbo Proverbs (Itu Ilu)

New Yam Festival (Iri Ji)

Kola Nut (Ọji)

Chapter 9

Family Trees

Diseases

Chapter 10

Prayer

Chapter 11

Names and Meaning

References

Acknowledgments

Thank God for giving me the strength and inspiration to complete this work. Thanks to my eldest brother, Chief Christian Ojimadu, who was very supportive. Also thanks to my brother pastor I. K. Ojimadu and my senior sister, Mrs. Agatha Nwozuzu, for all their efforts and contributions. May their souls rest in peace. Amen. To my twin sister, Martha, who contributed to making this work possible, I thank you so much. For any work to stand the test of time, it must be looked into by an expert in such work. My sister-in-law, Mrs. Favour Ojimadu, an Igbo linguist, who powdered and refined the work for easy comprehension, thank you so much for your time and contribution. Special thanks to my wonderful husband, Chief Mathias Mgbeafulu, who encouraged and supported me, and to my children—Victor, Angelica, Justin, and Joel—for being there for me. My thanks goes to Mrs. Patricia Onwuzuruigbo for her assistance in editing this work.

I also want to thank my siblings and my brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law for being there for me—Paschal, Jacinta, Chinenye, Donnetta, John, Justina, Frances, Dorothy, Emmanuel, Ngozi, Maria, Isidore, Nkeiru, Patricia, Chibuzo, Ngozi, Chinzao, Ijeoma, Benedick Nwuzuozu, Paul Chinaka, Desmond Okorie—and all my nieces, nephews, uncles, cousins, friends, and well-wishers. I thank God for all of you. I am thankful to my parents, Mr. Patrick and Mrs. Victoria Ojimadu, for raising me. May their souls continue to rest in peace in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Chapter 1

Introduction

Heritage language development is the key to language survival. It is the interest in advancing