Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.

Whichever language you choose to learn depends on what you want to use it for! .

Whichever language you choose to learn depends on what you want to use it for! .


No big deal about this FTC self!.

DonGtoG1:
Whichever language you choose to learn depends on what you want to use it for! .

Could you clarify on this? I'm not sure exactly what you mean.

You should rather learn pidgin English

Otherwise you are calling for a battle between the Igbo and Yoruba Soldiers..while the Hausa soldiers supply them with ammunition..

All three is fine actually. Hausa is easy and pretty cool, Igbo is awesome and Yoruba is the rave in rap. All language are not hard to learn funny enough. So after learning all you can come over and stick and brush up the one you like the most.

Learn the tongue of your root. It is very important. Go for Igbo.

internationalman:
You should rather learn pidgin English

Otherwise you are calling for a battle between the Igbo and Yoruba Soldiers..while the Hausa soldiers supply them with ammunition..

I know Nigerian Pidgin fairly well actually.

Dami12345:
All three is fine actually. Hausa is easy and pretty cool, Igbo is awesome and Yoruba is the rave in rap. All language are not hard to learn funny enough. So after learning all you can come over and stick and brush up the one you like the most.

I do plan on learning all of them someday. I don't want to just scratch the surface with them though; I want to learn them deeply and fluently. It is difficult to balance that with also working on my doctorate. I will take what you said into account thought, that may be a good approach!

Opiletool:
Learn the tongue of your root. It is very important. Go for Igbo.

See I really do want to, but it feels as though it has so many more obstacles than the other languages. Learning in the U.S. I have to use books and dictionaries that use Izugbe. Because Izugbe isn't a real dialect I've learned Igbo that no one actually uses to speak. The first time I went to Nigeria and tried talking with my aunts and uncles, none of them understood what I was trying to say becuase Izugbe is so different compared to their dialect. There's also olilo uduame which makes it incredible difficult for me to understand what people are saying. On top of that, Igbo people seem really reluctant to help or even speak the language (at least abroad). I grew up outside of Ala Igbo, but I did belong to a small Igbo community with around 30 adults. I asked all of them and only one was actually willing to help me after my father refused to teach me, the rest just dismissed me. In addition, all the Igbo people in my generation I've met at colleges can't speak Igbo. Even many of my cousins don't speak the language despite being born and raised in Ala Igbo. My experience is limited, so I ask is the language really thiving and worth learning like the other two?

uchefefe:


I know Nigerian Pidgin fairly well actually.



I do plan on learning all of them someday. I don't want to just scratch the surface with them though; I want to learn them deeply and fluently. It is difficult to balance that with also working on my doctorate. I will take what you said into account thought, that may be a good approach!



See I really do want to, but it feels as though it has so many more obstacles than the other languages. Learning in the U.S. I have to use books and dictionaries that use Izugbe. Because Izugbe isn't a real dialect I've learned Igbo that no one actually uses to speak. The first time I went to Nigeria and tried talking with my aunts and uncles, none of them understood what I was trying to say becuase Izugbe is so different compared to their dialect. There's also olilo uduame which makes it incredible difficult for me to understand what people are saying. On top of that, Igbo people seem really reluctant to help or even speak the language (at least abroad). I grew up outside of Ala Igbo, but I did belong to a small Igbo community with around 30 adults. I asked all of them and only one was actually willing to help me after my father refused to teach me, the rest just dismissed me. In addition, all the Igbo people in my generation I've met at colleges can't speak Igbo. Even many of my cousins don't speak the language despite being born and raised in Ala Igbo. My experience is limited, so I ask is the language really thiving and worth learning like the other two?

I really do understand your plight, but I'll advise ou go for that which your heart really desires, which I can deduce is igbo, and which I still insist you learn considering the fact that it's your parent's tongue.

See, I am yoruba, and if I'd been in your shoes, I'll go for my language, not for my sake, but for my unborn kids'. You will not give birth and start teaching them a language that is not of their people will you?

You can break the odds, come and enroll for Igbo class over here in Nigeria. People will hardly want to teach you because it takes lots of effort and time. And considering the fact that money is not involved (joking). We have whites studying our indigenous languages over here. I knew of two back then in yoruba linguistics department of my school(university), so, if white people could go through all the troubles, why can't you?

Learn Igbo

Opiletool:

I really do understand your plight, but I'll advise ou go for that which your heart really desires, which I can deduce is igbo, and which I still insist you learn considering the fact that it's your parent's tongue.

See, I am yoruba, and if I'd been in your shoes, I'll go for my language, not for my sake, but for my unborn kids'. You will not give birth and start teaching them a language that is not of their people will you?

You can break the odds, come and enroll for Igbo class over here in Nigeria. People will hardly want to teach you because it takes lots of effort and time. And considering the fact that money is not involved (joking). We have whites studying our indigenous languages over here. I knew of two back then in yoruba linguistics department of my school(university), so, if white people could go through all the troubles, why can't you?

The bolded are good points. I guess I shouldn't let my frustrations get to me. I just get tired becuase it's not as if I want someone to sit down and give me lessons every day. Just speak to me in it, point out some objects a few times a day and tell me their meaning, anything. When I was putting effort into Yoruba, I always had friends willing to teach me and speak to me in the language. Maybe I will have to look online and find a tutor somewhere.

In your personal experience, do Igbo people in Nigeria often speak their language the way Yoruba people do?

kayfra:
Learn Igbo

I would like insight onto how you came to this conclusion. I think it will help me.

uchefefe:


The bolded are good points. I guess I shouldn't let my frustrations get to me. I just get tired becuase it's not as if I want someone to sit down and give me lessons every day. Just speak to me in it, point out some objects a few times a day and tell me their meaning, anything. When I was putting effort into Yoruba, I always had friends willing to teach me and speak to me in the language. Maybe I will have to look online and find a tutor somewhere.

In your personal experience, do Igbo people in Nigeria often speak their language the way Yoruba people do?


I would like insight onto how you came to this conclusion. I think it will help me.

As for that question, Yes they do in Lagos where I reside. However, there was a thread created by a guy who was frustrated at the fact that igbo people don't speak the language like yoruba speak theirs. He pointed out several instances. You will find the thread here, it was created not quite long (I think this year).

Also, during my NYSC, I nearly had a scuffle with one of my Corps member over this issue of language. I served in a yoruba state, she was posted to the same school that I was serving. She and some other corps often complain that we Yorubas speak our language too often, and that it isn't the case in the east. I got angry not because she was totally wrong, but because she saw it as a bad thing, and bragged that igbo people speak English more than they do their language. Then I wondered why she should bragged of such? I thought she was being mischievous because when in the midst of Igbo people, they often speak in their mother tongue, until I came across the thread, and realised that she wasn't entirely lying. Albeit the way she bragged about it got me pissed of. It's a shameful thing. Some Yorubas are also like that, preventing their kids from speaking the language, my sister is guilty of this. I have preached the beauty of being bi or multilingual to her, all to no avail. Her kids can hardly say two words in yoruba, which shouldn't be. But I'm sure they will learn when they grow up.

First of all op, what state are you from and your village. I am asking this cuz you complained about Igbo izugbe (central Igbo) been different from your dialect.

uchefefe:


I know Nigerian Pidgin fairly well actually.



I do plan on learning all of them someday. I don't want to just scratch the surface with them though; I want to learn them deeply and fluently. It is difficult to balance that with also working on my doctorate. I will take what you said into account thought, that may be a good approach!



See I really do want to, but it feels as though it has so many more obstacles than the other languages. Learning in the U.S. I have to use books and dictionaries that use Izugbe. Because Izugbe isn't a real dialect I've learned Igbo that no one actually uses to speak. The first time I went to Nigeria and tried talking with my aunts and uncles, none of them understood what I was trying to say becuase Izugbe is so different compared to their dialect. There's also olilo uduame which makes it incredible difficult for me to understand what people are saying. On top of that, Igbo people seem really reluctant to help or even speak the language (at least abroad). I grew up outside of Ala Igbo, but I did belong to a small Igbo community with around 30 adults. I asked all of them and only one was actually willing to help me after my father refused to teach me, the rest just dismissed me. In addition, all the Igbo people in my generation I've met at colleges can't speak Igbo. Even many of my cousins don't speak the language despite being born and raised in Ala Igbo. My experience is limited, so I ask is the language really thiving and worth learning like the other two?

This is really a sad situation regarding the Igbo language. It is dying a gradual death honestly, and with each passing generation the number of fluent speakers keep reducing. Igbo parents are repeating the same mistake each passing year. There is a gradual switch to English and were as a tribe are on this gradual journey of switching to English language. Something needs to be done about the Igbo language honestly. The attitude of our people towards the language is disheartening. On my father's side, they were about 8 surviving adults out of 9 children of which only one family raised their children in Igbo. All other 7 adults raised their kids in English and 90% of them/us (28 in total) do not speak Igbo as young adults today. In my own family (my dad is the 3rd son), I am the only one who speaks Igbo fluently, my 3 siblings do not speak and do not care to put effort into speaking, so do most of my cousins. We lost our grandmother last year and one of my pains was losing a matriarch who was so versed in the Igbo language who passed down the language to her children but her children failed to do the same to their own children. Learning Igbo as an adult is not easy and this is what many Igbo parents who speak Igbo do not understand because it comes easy to them as they were raised with it. However, if you put in efforts you will be solid in the language in about 2 to 3 years.

I've been to Igbo gatherings here in the US where I spoke Igbo and my peers and even the elderly ones looked at me like seeing a Nigerian-born and raised speaking Chinese. Why is it such a surprise among Igbos to see an Igbo speaking their language? It is starting to get common seeing Igbos in their 30s who can't speak Igbo and this was very rare about 20 to 30 years ago. The massive shift towards raising kids in English started around the 80s/90s and spread very quickly in the 2000s. These kids are now young adults in their 30s to 40s and some are non-Igbo speakers. Igbos abroad do not do a good job at all as regards the language and your father's attitude is quite sad. Seeing a US-born Igbo who speaks Igbo is like finding a needle in a sack of sand. Maybe these parents forget that they won't live forever and someday most of them would be gone and we would be left with non-Igbo speaking adults in their 40s and 50s. This can be likened to how African languages phased out among educated first-generation slaves from West Africa in Freetown, Sierra Leone and amongst slaves generally in the US. Freed slaves who settled in Freetown, Sierra Leone obtained education and by their next generation (2nd generation), probably less than 40% (born in Sierra Leone) could speak their mother tongue, the other 60% being raised in English. Come 50 years after, the educated first-generation African ex-slaves were gone leaving behind a generation with passable command of their mother tongues. By the third generation, all traces of spoken African languages were gone and the switch to English language was completed. This was not done by no one but by we Africans ourselves.

The attitude of we Igbos ourselves towards our language needs to change. One of my paternal aunts (1 of 8 surviving adults) who herself speaks Igbo fluently said she prefers Peter Okoye to Paul Okoye because, 'Paul is local and uses more Igbo in his songs, but Peter is more refined' (ever noticed how Peter Okoye nearly never uses Igbo in his songs?)

As regards the language to learn, you should learn Igbo, being an Igbo person yourself. If you relocate to Nigeria you could learn Igbo faster and better, especially if you spend some time in your village or hire an Igbo tutor to teach and practice the language with you. Unlike the Yorubas, I've noticed that Igbo speakers are not usually keen on teaching others the language. Back in my university days, I had a few non-Igbo classmates who were excited about learning/practicing their Igbo skills and majority of my classmates were not interested in practicing with them except me. You will find people like this in Nigeria but do not be discouraged. You would find some people who would give you the 'are you crazy' looks that you (an American) is trying to speak Igbo 'when you should be speaking Americana/American English instead'. But do not be discouraged.

Igbo grammar is quite tonal, like other West African languages, and uses a different set of stress glands compared to English so you would need to pay attention to it when learning the language. There are plenty of Igbo language movies online (Youtube etc) and they can be helpful. If you haven't yet, join Umu Igbo Unite (a US-based organization for Igbo people in the diaspora, mostly US-born) and they often hold Igbo language classes where you can learn Igbo. I've been to one of their events and saw several US-born Igbos who learned fluent Igbo from those classes - they do a good job.

If you believe you can do it, you will do it.

@uchefefe

I salute your courage.

The attitude you saw in your father is typical of what you'll get from most parents even here because we're still locked down in mental and intellectual slavery. The white man has imposed an alien perception of reality on us and there's no hope in sight to freeing ourselves.

There's no hope because they fooled us to believe that the English language represent light and intelligence. Today, we now enslave ourselves competing among ourselves who would speak it better than the white man.

Coincidentally, I was just wondering this afternoon whether African-Americans could actually be our savior cause we're not conscious at all over here. And I can assure you that you're already more African than most Africans.

Well, I don't want to waste your time or mine on this topic cause I actually wrote a book about it. I'll advise you learn Igbo since you have Igbo ancestry. And I like your remark about Yorubas, they're certainly one of the most enlightened black race if not the best. I myself though Igbo but I am trying to learn Yoruba as well.

Edited.....

In addition, and as francis has suggested, you may watch Nollywood movies in Igbo. You could find both the English and Igbo version of same movie. What I do myself is read Jehovah's witnesses awake magazines, I read the English and Igbo version side by side. But this may not be recommended for you as you need to hear the Igbo sounds, which is the real language. The magazine also do commit mistakes because the Igbo language has been done so much damage that they sometimes translate directly from English to Igbo. But that's a story for another day. Yes, movies would be better for you. Remember, I am not saying I read awake magazines as a christian, I am not a Christian, rather I read it just for the sake of the Igbo. There was no Jesus either.

You may check whether this site could be helpful www.igboteacher.org ,there could be similar sites if you search.

How come it is only Nigerians that will not teach their children their native languages or tell them where they are from when abroad..it is pathetic

you are igbo...learn your native language

Fatherofdragons:
First of all op, what state are you from and your village. I am asking this cuz you complained about Igbo izugbe (central Igbo) been different from your dialect.

My family speaks Onitsha Dialect. I know it's not a different as something like the dialect spoken in Ebonyi, but it's difficult to figure out what someone is saying as a learner. For example, it took me a while to figure out "achoro m" means "I want" in Onitsha when it means "I don't want" in Izugbe.

@Opiletool and @bigfrancis21
This is honestly where my concern and apprehension with focusing on the language (at least now) comes from; it's future seems very bleak. Will the language still have a significant presence in the future? I can devote all my time and attention into learning the language, but who will I speak it with once the people in my parent's generation are gone? I've never met an Igbo person around my age who uses the language regularly even if they know how to speak it.

My worry is that I'll spend all my time mastering Igbo, then when I teach it to my kids it won't matter because they will live in an environment that doesn't reinforce its value. Can I be sure they'll master the language or even speak it out of the home? Can I be sure that they'll teach it to their own children or their children's children? Maybe I'm thinking too far ahead, but I'm just one Igbo person of several million. Even if 1/4th of us value the language and put effort into preserving it, that can't counterbalance the 3/4th that don't. Then I'll end up struggling to learn another language while also teaching my children that language.

musicwriter:

Coincidentally, I was just wondering this afternoon whether African-Americans could actually be our savior cause we're not conscious at all over here. And I can assure you that you're already more African than most Africans.

Many African Americans would love to know what cultures their ancestors belonged to. There are millions of black people on the planet that had their language stripped from them, so it's sad seeing so many that still have theirs throwing them away.

Also, thank you for the bolded. It really means a lot to me

lilwetdick:
How come it is only Nigerians that will not teach their children their native languages or tell them where they are from when abroad..it is pathetic

you are igbo...learn your native language

It's not just Nigerian, but unfortunately African seem to be among the worst offenders. One thing I will say that is unique to Nigerians is not speaking your language in the presence of those that understand it. I'm in a club for African students at my university. We have around 30 students with about half of them being Igbo. I've been in this club 4 years and have not heard a single word of Igbo at any gathering. Meanwhile I've heard plenty Twi, Ga, and Swahili despite groups speaking these languages being a minority.



I'd like to thank everyone for the Igbo resources and advice. I'll look into them!

Op, as for your future questions, one step at a time is all I can tell you. Learn igbo first, since you say you often find yoruba speakers willing to teach you yoruba, you can also pick one or two words during a conversation. However, devote more time to learning Igbo. Who knows, your kids might even be more passionate than you in their time. And I believe the Igbo language is not gonna die. Stop worrying about future events, when you get to that bridge, you will cross it.

Another suggestion I would like to make is, listen to Igbo songs, then ask any igbo person around you for the meaning of some expressions. That will also help.

I think you should learn Igbo language because that's your root and will help you relate well with your extended family.
But on the other hand, Yoruba and Hausa language are widely used in Nigeria and other western African countries compared to the Igbo language.
This means you have more flexibility using either of these two languages, most especially the Yoruba language since you have no plan to stay in the North part of Nigeria I assume.
Which ever language you choose to learn, I will advise you take them one at a time.

Cc; Lalasticlala, mynd44

Learn All. I love the sound of Hausa language. I love girls who speak all three languages especially the Hausa accent.

uchefefe:
Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.

ask your father

uchefefe:
[s]Hello!

For background, I was born to a Igbo father and a black American mother. I grew up in the U.S., and because my father didn't teach me anything about Nigeria, for the first part of my life I didn't even know I belonged to another culture. As I got a bit older I would question him about things pertaining to Nigeria; his response was "that's not important" or "don't ask such questions, focus on your book instead". At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer.

I had a revelation one day in middle school when eating lunch with one of my friends. Like me she was born in the U.S., but had Chinese parents. We had gone to school together for nearly 10 years, so I was shocked when one day she picked up a phone call from her grandmother and spoke to her in fluent Chinese. When I questioned her on how she learned, she told me that her parents had been teaching her. That way, if she ever goes to China she won't struggle to communicate with her people, and if she chooses not to go she'll at least be able to talk with her grandparents that don't know English.

This impassioned me and that evening when my father came home from work I begged him to teach me Igbo, even though "no one speaks it". He agreed and taught me simple phrases like "kedu", "afa m bu", and "o di mma". The thing is, which it was nice to know these things I could not actually use them to communicate. I didn't understand Igbo grammar and my vocabulary was limited to basic greetings. When I began asking him the name of household items and chores he became angry with me. He told me I was focusing on Igbo and not my books (even though my grades were great), and that he'll punish me if I keep asking so I stopped.

Getting more so to the point, I'm now a graduate student in my early 20's. While I have tried my best to study Igbo, I have met many frustrations that have led me to investigate Hausa and Yoruba. At this point, it simply pains me that when I meet people from my country, I have no means of communicating with people from my country besides English. I plan on moving to Nigeria in the not-so-distant future, and when I go I want to be fluent is something.

Between the three major languages, the arguments I have for each are:

Igbo
As an Igbo person, it makes sense for me to prioritize my language. I don't want to just sit there confused and lost during family gatherings, I also want to be able to speak to my grandparents who don't understand English well. That's really the only positives of Igbo though, even excluding the past experiences mention above, I've over all become disheartened by the idea of learning the language for a variety of reasons.

Yoruba
One thing I like about Yoruba language is that Yoruba people seem to have put a lot of effort into developing it and teaching it. Most Nigerians I've met in the U.S. that speak a Nigerian language speak Yoruba, despite the fact that I've met mostly Igbo people. In addition, of Nigerians I've met also born in the U.S., only the Yoruba's are able to speak their language. Despite that, my family roots are in the South East. I may be able to speak with more Nigerians by learning Yoruba, but I'll still be disconnected from my family. Yoruba people might seem to have less of a "complex" when it comes to their language than Igbo people, but I have observed it's still there.

Hausa
I've only ever met one Hausa family in the U.S., but from what I've observed in Nigeria they seem to practice their language the most. In addition, it seems like Hausa is a lingua franca for most of the country, and many non-Hausas are fluent in the language. Hausa is one of the few sources I can find unadulterated practice of the language. It's also West Africa's most spoken indigenous languages. It still has the same problems a Yoruba though when it comes to connecting with my family. I also don't know how realistic it is to expect to live in the Northern Part of Nigeria as I have limited experience there.

Like I said, I want to move to Nigeria at some point and that's where I want to raise a family and start a career. When I have children I don't want them to grow up like me. I want them to be connected to their people and be able to communicate with them on a level no other group in the world can. I can tell my children to love and embrace African culture and languages when I know none myself.

I decided to come here for insight from other Nigerians as I have no one to talk to about this in real life. Given everything I've said what do you think I should do? At the end of the day I just want a sense connectivity and belonging among my people. I want to put my efforts into learning a language its speakers wholly embrace so I can pass it on to my children.

Also, I don't intend for this to be tribalistic at all. I would also appreciate if responses avoided tribalistic sentiments.[/s]

Smells like an Afonja unity beggar aka One Nigerian deceiving you. Biafrans, how could you people not sense this? My people why, SMH! I have known these people all my life, so I know when I read their post. This is a certified afonja! No sensible Igbo man believes in this country. I said none if they are honest with themselves and Chukwu Okike Abiama (God of Abraham)

"At some point I asked him if he spoke another language. He confirmed that he did, but when I asked him to teach me he told me "no one speaks it, instead we just use English" and I accepted that answer".... .Fathers are not transmitters of language but mothers.

Learn Pidgin instead.

Oga go learn broken english fes......u fit use am anywhere for naija

Learn your language.....Very important. As for other languages, learn Yoruba. I believe Yoruba is one of the easiest languages to learn (Note: Am a Yoruba person)......i am sure others can tell you this. Hausa Language too is also fun to learn. Now contrary to your opinion that Igbos do not speak their language to each other, I believe they do because when I was serving in 2017, at the corper's lodge, we had people from the three tribes there and the Igbos among us rarely spoke english just so we can't hear what they were saying. Even the Hausa's did thesame. We the Yorubas seem to be the only ones attempting to include everyone in our conversation by speaking English anytime people from other tribes were around. That they don't speak abroad may just be something with the environment in the US. Maybe they are too ashamed of speaking their language or they don't want to be perceived as wierd!

So my point being learn in this order: Igbo...Yoruba.....Hausa.

There is one language I will love to learn though.....that Language they speak in Naruto Shippuden.....don't know if its Japanese or Korean.....damn I just love the stress of that language and the overall sound of it

Learn hausa to teach ur dad a lesson

But also learn igbo for ur own good

Learn Hausa, it's the most widely spoken language in West Africa and Nigeria at large. Alot of Nigerians understand it and it might interest you to know that you can access a lot of influential people and places in Nigeria.
Proud Hausa man,
Proud Northerner,
Proud Nigerian.


One Love

internationalman:
You should rather learn pidgin English

Otherwise you are calling for a battle between the Igbo and Yoruba Soldiers..while the Hausa soldiers supply them with ammunition..

You are Ibo, if you want to learn
a Nigerian language, you should start
from your own.

You don't know the sociopolitical dynamics
of language & ethnicity in Africa or
Nigeria, that's why you are even contemplating
Hausa or Yoruba.

Your dad is doing you a great disservice.