YorubaPrimer.pdf

8/14/2019 YorubaPrimer.pdf

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Èdè Yorùbá

Lò ó, bí bëê kö ìwô yóò pàdánù rê

Yoruba Language - Use it or lose it



YORÙBÁ MÒ ÖN KÔ MÕ ÖN KÀ MÕ ÖN SÔ

Know how to READ IT, WRITE IT, SPEAK IT

Ìwé Kïnní 1 Book One

Àtúnÿe Kejì Second Edition

Alífábëêtì The lphabet

Fonölöjì Phonology

Môfölöjì Morphology

Fún For

Çgbë Àjùmõka Yorùbá Àgbáyé ®

Yoruba Readers’ Club International®

Láti ôwö By

Adébùsölá Ônäbàjò Ônäyçmí MB. BS., DA., FRCPC MTS



Õrõ Ìÿíwájú

Ìwé yìí jë ìwé kíkà ìkínní ti èdè Yorùbá. A kö láti ranakëkõö alákõöbêrê löwö láti ní ìmõ tí ó jinlê nínú êkö èdènáà. Ìró ohùn ni òpò èdè Yorùbá. Ó ÿe pàtàkì púpõ láti fojúsí pípe õrõ bí ó ti tö àti bí ó ti yç làti ìbêrê. A ÿe ìwé yìígëgë bí ìwé ìköni ní õnà tí akëkõö yóò fi máa kö Yorùbákíkà lemölemö pêlú àwôn nýkan tí ó dun-jú. A fi oríÿìíríÿìíàtç àwòràn tí a so ohùn õrõ mö çyô õrõ kõõkan, àpólà àtigbólóhùn õrõ ÿe àpèjúwe pípe õrõ. Èyí ÿe pàtàkì púpõ láti lè

mõ ön kô, mõ ön kà, mõ ön sô.

Foreword

This book is a Yoruba language primer. It is written to help the

beginning student acquire a basic knowledge in learning the

language. The tone is the pillar of the Yoruba language. It is very

important to pay attention to proper pronunciation right from the

outset. This book is designed primarily as a tone drill manual using

familiar objects to acquaint the student with Yoruba pronunciation.

A pictorial format with sound clips attached to every word, phrase

and sentence is used to demonstrate pronunciation. This is vital in

order to be able to become proficient in writing, reading and

speaking.



ÀkíyèsíÈtò tí a lò fún kíkô õrõ inú ìwé yìí nìyìí:A fi àwò búráhùn kô àwôn õrõ ti èdè Gêësì. Àwõdúdú ni a lò fún èdè Yorùbá àfi ní ìgbà tí a báfi àwõ pupa, àwõ ewé tàbí àwõ aró töka sí àwônsílcbù olóhùn òkè, àárín tàbí ìsàlê ní ÿísê-n-têlé.

Note:

The convention used for writing the text in this book is as follows:

The English text is rendered in brown, Yoruba text

is in black except where color coded red, green or

blue to indicate syllables with high, mid or low

tones respectively.

i oríÿìíríÿìí àwõ kö Yorùbá®

Learn Yoruba in Multicolor®



Àkóónú - Contents Ojú ìwé Page

Alífábëêtì Alphabet 1

Fonölöjì Phonology 6

Môfölöjì Morphology 10

Àtç Àwòrán IFàwêlì àìránmúpè

Pictorial I

Oral Vowels13

Àtç Àwòrán IIFàwêlì àìránmúpèPictorial IIOral Vowels

21

Àtç Àwòrán IIIFàwêlì àránmúpè

Pictorial III

Nasalized Vowels29

Àtç Àwòrán IVKönþsónáýtì

Pictorial IV

Consonants33

Àwôn Bátànì Sílébù Syllable Patterns 35

Sílébù Àránmúpèª ¸ M m « ¹ Ý ý

Syllabic NasalN n Þ þ

38

Àtç Àwòrán VÀwôn Sílébù

Pictorial V

Syllables40

E e O o S s - Ç ç Ô ô ß ÿ 44

Àkàyé Comprehension 48

Àkójôpõ õrõ Word List 65



A B

Álífábëêtì YorùbáAlphabet

dò re mí

YO

RÙ

BÁ

Page 1 Ojú-ìwé Kïnní

A a B b D d E e Ç ç

F f G g GB gb H h I i

J j K k L l M m N n

O o Ô ô P p R r S s

ß ÿ T t U u W w Y y

B D



Ìyàtõ láàárín álífábëêtì Yorùbá àti ti GêësìDifferences between Yoruba and English Alphabets

Bí a bá fi wé èdè Gêësì, kò sí Compared with English, there is no

ÿùgbön Yorùbá ní but Yoruba has

dò

re mí

Èdè Yorùbá ní Yoruba Language has

Fáwêlì àìránmúpè 7 Oral vowels

méje

Fáwêlì àránmúpè 5 Nasalized vowels márùn-ún

Köþsónáýtì 18 Consonantsméjìdínlógún

Èdè Gêësì ní The English language has

Fáwêlì 5 Vowels

márùn-ún

Köþsónáýtì 21 Consonants

mökànlélógún

C c Q q V v X x Z z

Ç ç G gb Ô ô ß ÿ

Álífábëêtì Yorùbá Alphabet

Ojú-ìwé KejìPage 2





Àwôn Fáwêlì Yorùbá

Yoruba Vowels

Oríÿìí àkójôpõ fáwêlì méjì There are two groups of vowels

ni ó wà ní èdè Yorùbá. in Yoruba.

1. Fáwêlì àìránmúpè 1. Oral (Non-nasalized) vowels

2. Fáwêlì àránmúpè 2. Nasalised vowels

1. Fáwêlì àìránmúpè - Oral vowels

2. Fáwêlì àránmúpè - Nasalised vowels

Àkíyèsí: * ‘AN’ and ‘ÔN’ máa þ dún bákannáà.Note: ‘AN’ and ‘ÔN’ sound the same.

Àkíyèsí: † Kò sí ‘EN’ tàbí ‘ON’ nínú õrõ Yorùbá àjùmõlò.Note: There is no ‘EN’ or ‘ON’ in standard Yoruba vocabulary.

A a E e Ç ç I i O o Ô ô U u

*AN an † Ç çn IN in † *Ô ôn UN un

Fáwêlì Yorùbá Vowels

Ojú-ìwé KçrinPage 4



Àwôn Köþsónàýtì Yorùbá

Yoruba Consonants

Àwôn lëtà tí ó máa þsábà The letters that are usually

ÿòro pe fún àwôn tí kìí difficult for non-native Yoruba

ÿe ômô ìbílê Yorùbá ni- speakers to pronounce are -

àti

and

fún àpççrç for example gbà gbà to take pa pa to kill

gbé gbé to carry pè pè to call

gbç gbç dry pë pë late

gbö gbö to hear papa pápá field

gbàgbé gbàgbé to forget pçpç pçpç altar

gbogbo gbogbo all pupa pupa red

gbígbç gbígbç dry púpõ púpõ many

Dán wôn wò Try them

B b D d F f G g GB gb H h

J j K k L l M m N n P p

R r S s ß ÿ T t W w Y y

G gb P p

Köþsónàýtì YORÙBÀ Consonants

Ojú-ìwé Karùn-únPage 5





Ìró ohùn ni òpó èdè Yorùbá. The tone is the pillar of the Yoruba language.

A fi oríÿìí àwõ mëta ya We assigned three different colors

àwôn àmì ohùn õrõ yìí to distinguish between these three

sötõ kí ó lè rôrùn fún tones to make it easy for children

àwôn ômôdé àti alákõöbërê and beginners alike to notice them.

láti ÿe àkíyèsí wôn. Ètò We devised this technique and

tí a dá sílê yìí ni a pè ní Ètò called it the Bis Bus Color Coding

Bis Bus Afàwõ-ÿe-ìlànà. (ÈBA) ® Scheme (BCS) ®

P

dò ( ˋ ) àwõ aró blue

re ( ) ( ) àwõ ewé green

mí ( ˊ ) àwõ pupa red

Fonölöjì Yorùbá Phonology

Ojú-ìwé KejePage 7



Mëta nínú àwôn ohùn orin Three of the musical notes of the

tí a þ tê lórí dùrù ni a fi þ piano are used to simulate the

töka sí dídún ohùn õrõ. intonation of words. This has been

Àwôn olùkö àti akëkõö èdè used with good effect by Yoruba

Yorùbá ti lo àýfàní yìí fún teachers and students for many

õpõlôpõ ôdún. years.

Àpççrç Example

P Ìró ohùn

Phonology

d: r: m:

dò ( ˋ ) re ( ) ( ) mí ( ˊ )


Ojú-ìwé KçjôPage 8

owó (re-mí) money òwò (dò-dò) trade

ôwö (re-mí) hand õwõ (dò-dò) reverence

õwö (dò-mí) flock ôwõ (re-dò) broom

Õwõ (Dò-dò) a town in Yoruba land

Lílo ‘do re mi’ kì í ÿiÿë ní àÿepéní ìgbà gbogbo ÿùgbön ó wúlòpúpõ fún alákõöbêrê.

Utilizing ‘do-re-mi’ does not

work perfectly all the time, but

it is very useful for the beginner.

Àkíyèsí. Note.



À þ bá àwôn àmì ohùn mìíràn We do come across other intonation

pàdé nínú àwôn ìwé Yorùbá marks in both old and modern day

àtijö àti ti òde òní. Yoruba books.

Àwôn tí ó ÿe gógó ni: The main ones are:

1. Àmì fàágùn ( ~ )

A kìí lo àmì yìí mö nítorí pé kòwúlò. A ti fi lílo fàwêlì méjì tíõkõõkan ní àmì tirê dípò irú àwônõrõ bëê. Fún àpççrç:

1. The tilde ( ~ )

This sign is no longer in use because it is not

useful. The use of two vowels, each with itsown intonation mark is now used in such

instances. e.g.:

õr ùn lè jë

can be

oòrùn o-ò-rùn sun tàbí / or

òórùn ò-ó-rùn smell

2. Àmì ohùn ìsàlê àti òkè àpapõ ( ˇ )

Lílo àmì yìí kò wöpõ mö nínú àwonìwé Yorùbá. Ó dá mi lójú pé yóò yaàwôn òýkàwé wa lënu láti rí àmì tí óÿe àjèjì yìí lórí orúkô mi -

2. The low-rising tone ( ˇ )

This intonation mark is no longer in common use

in Yoruba texts. I am sure it will come as asurprise for readers of this book to see this

unfamiliar accent mark on my name –

Ônäbàjò, ÔnäyçmíA ÿe èyìí láti mú un rôrùn fún pipeorúkô náà bí ó ti tö báyìí

This is done to facilitate proper pronunciation of

the name as

Ônàábàjò, Ônàáyçmí - re-dòmí-dò-dò , re-dòmí-re-mí

Ogunlögõ ènìyàn ni o máa þ ÿi orúkônáà pè báyìí

Many people mistakenly pronounce the name

like this

Õnábàjò, Õnáyçmí - dò-mí-dò- dò dò-mí-re-míNípa lílo àmì yìì, a yçra fún lílofáwêlì méjì fún orúkô náà.A tún lo àmì ohùn yìí nínú ìwé yìífún nö¹bà 1

In using this sign, doubling the vowel for the

name is avoided.

This accent mark is also used in this book for the

number 1

Kïnní dípò / instead of Kìn-ìn-ní

P ró ohùn

Phonology


Page 9 Ojú-ìwé Kçsàn-án



Môfölöjì YorùbáYoruba Morphology

Ètò õ õ ni a þ pè ní Môfölöjì. Morphology is the structure of

Ó ÿe pàtàkì láti ní ìmõ tí ó words. It is important to have a

péye nípa ètò gígé çyô õrõ sí good knowledge of how a word

êbù-êbù (sílébù) ní èdè Yorùbá is divided into its component parts

nítorí pé çyô sílébù kõõkan (syllable) in Yoruba because each

ni ó ní ìró ohùn tirê. syllable has its own distinct pitch.

Bátànì sílébù ìpilê mëta ni a fi þ Three basic syllable patterns are used

hun õrõ Yorùbá. in forming Yoruba words.

Àwôn ni: They are:

1. ( F ) Fáwêlì ( V ) Vowel

2. ( KF ) Köþþsónáýtì + Fáwêlì (CV) Consonant + Vowel

3. (M m, N n) Sílébù Àránmúpè Syllabic Nasal

V Vowel

C ConsonantF FáwêlìK Könþsónáýtì

Môfölöjì Yorùbá Morphology

Page 10 Ojú-ìwé Kçwàá



Môfölöjì YorùbáYoruba Morphology

Àwôn oríÿìí bátànì mëta tí ó þ wáyé These are the three different patterns

nígbà tí a bá pín õrõ sí êbù-êbù that occur when words are split into

sílébù nìyìí - their component syllables -



Fáwêlì kan dá dúró gëgë bíi sílébù odidi kanA stand-alone vowel as one complete syllable

Àpççrç / Example: a ç ó

a a ti dé We have arrived

ç ç ti dé You have arrived

ó ó ti dé He / She has arrived


Köþsónáýtì àti fáwêlì àpapõ gëgë bíi sílébù kanA consonant and vowel combination as a syllable

Àpççrç / Example: bê lù wá lô

bê Mo bê ö I beg you

lù Má lù mí Don’t beat me

wá Jõö wá síbí Please come here

lô Mò þ lô I am oin

3. M m, N n

gëgë bíi sílébù kan tí kì í ÿe ara fáwêlì àránmúpè.

as a syllable that is not part of a nasalized vowelAbimbölá I am born into honour (AYoruba name)Mò þ lô I am goingAjá Adé þ gbó - Ade’s dog is barkingÒgòýgò, ôba çyç - The Ostrich, king of birds

Page 11Ojú-ìwé Kôkànlá



Môfölöjì (Ètò õrõ) YorùbáYoruba Morphology

Ó wúlò láti yára ÿe àkíyèsí bíhìhun õrõ pêlú sílébù ÿe þÿisënípa wíwo àwôn õrõ onísílébùméjì. A óò rí bátànì méjì-

It is instructive to quickly note how

these syllable building blocks work

by illustrating with some bisyllabic

words. Two patterns emerge

1. F – KF V - CV

2.

KF –KF CV-CV

V Vowel

C Consonant

F FáwêlìK Könþsónáýtì


1. (F - KF) (V - CV)

Fáwêlì tí ó dá dúró àti könþsónáýtì pêlú fáwëlì àpapõ

A stand-alone vowel and a consonant-vowel combination

A dé Adé CrownÔ lá Ôlá Honor

2. (KF - KF) (CV - CV) Köþsónáýtì àti fáwêlì àpapõ méjì àsopõTwo consonant and vowel combinations

Bà bá Bàbá FatherFì là Fìlà Ca

Page 12Ojú-ìwé Kejìlá

Àwôn õrõ onísílébù púpõ máaþ ní àwôn bátànì ìpilê òkè

Multisyllabic words have these

basic patterns above in various

combinations.

Àkíyèsí Note



ÀTÇ ÀWÒRÁN ÁLÍFÁBËÊTÌ YORÙBÁYORÙBÁ ALPHABET PICTORIAL

Àtç àwòrán àwôn õrõ tí ó bêrê tí

ó sì parí pêlú àwôn fáwêlì kannáà

Pictorial of words beginning and

ending with the same vowels

Aa Ee Çç Ii Oo Ôô Uu

ße àkíyèsí pé àwôn fáwêlì nìkan nia þ fi àmì ohùn õrõ sí lórí.

Note that intonation marks areplaced only on vowels.

Àfikún Álífábëêtì Yorùbá - Yoruba Alphabet Expanded

Fáwêli Àìránmúpè Oral vowels

Á á É é Ë ë Í í Ó ó Ö ö Ú ú

a E e Ç ç I i O o Ô ô U u

À à È è Ê ê Ì ì Ò ò Õ õ Ù ù

Fífi ìró ohùn köra lemölemö Tone Drill

Ó ÿe pàtàkì láti fi kíkö ìróohùn lemölemö sí ètò êköakëkõö alákõöbêrê láti ìbêrê.Õrànyàn ni ó jë láti fihànpé ìro ohùn ÿe góþgó ní sísôèdè Yorùbá. Nýkan tí aþlépa nìyìí nínu apákan ìwéyìí tí ó têlé ojú ìwé yìí.

It is important to incorporate

tone drills into the learning

process for the beginning studentright from the outset. This is

necessary to underscore the

centrality of tonal sounds inYoruba discourse. The following

section of this book is designedto fulfill this purpose.

Page 13 Ojú-ìwé Kçtàlá



a-já ajá dog (re-mí) à-ga àga chair(dò-re) a-pá apá arm (re-mí)

à-gbá àgbá barrel (dò-mí) a-ta ata pepper

(re-re à-rá àrá lightning (dò-mí)

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí

Iÿë ÿíÿe - Exercise

Túmõ àwôn õrõ yìí sí GêësìTranslate these words to English

Àjà, Àgbà Àpá, ÀpàAra, Àrà, Ará

Read these sentences aloud.Ka àwôn gbólóhùn õrõ yìí sókè

Mo ní a já kan.

A já náà jókòó. Apá òsì mi nìyìí.

Ojú ìwé kçrìnlá

à a á a-*a À A Á Aa

I have a dog.The dog is sitting down.This is my left arm.

This is a big oil barrel

Êkö Kïnní 1 Lesson One

Page 14



E-wé ewé leaf (re mí) E-dé e-dé shrimp (re mí) È re ère idol/statue (dò re)

È tè ètè lip (dò dò) È je èje seven

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí


Ètè òkè

upper lip

Ètè ìsàlêlower lip

Parí àwôn õrõ yìí.Complete these words.

a - *á arm

* - *a chair

Ee

Kí nì yìí? What is this?

a-*á ni It is a dog a-*á nìyìí This is a dog

Êkö Kejì 2 Lesson Two

è e é e-*e È E É

Page 15

(Five short of twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Karùndínlógún


Èwe

Eré, Èrè Ète,Èdè



ç-sê çsê leg/foot (re dò)

ç-yç çyç bird(re re)

ê jê êjê blood (dò dò)

Êjê wà ní apá yìí.There is blood on this arm.

a pá apá arm(re mí)

P

dò

reí

dò re mí


Çsç, Êÿê, ÊÿëÊyçÊjë

Parí àwôn õrõ yìí.Complete these words.

a-*a pepper

à-*á thunder

Çç

Çyç yìí fëë fò.

This bird wants to fly.

Ç-dç Çdç

Orúkô ìlú kan ní ilêYorùbá.

The name of a town inYoruba land

Êkö Kçta 3 Lesson Three

ê ç ë a-*a Ê Ç Ë


Page 16

(Four short of twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçrìndínlógún



I-gi igi Tree (re re)

Ì-jì ìjì Storm (dò dò)

I dì (Çyç) Idì Eagle (re dò)

Ì-mí ìmí breathing

Ìní ìní possession

Jõwö wá síbí Please come here

I-bi Ibi evil

I-bí Ibí here

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí



ÌdíÌrìÌtíIyì

Parí õrõ yìíComplete this word

Edé mélòó nìyìí?How many shrimps are these?

Edé m*** ni wön.They are three shrimps.

Ii

Êkö Kçrin 4 Lesson Four

ì i í i-*i Ì I Í

Page 17

(Three short of twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçtàdínlógún



o-wó owó money (re mí) o-ko oko farm (re re) o dò odò river (re dò)

Ò jò òjò rain (dò dò) Ò pó òpó pillar

(dò mí)

P

dò

reí

dò re mí


Òjò þ rõ

It is raining


Òwò,

Òkò, OkóÒjó, OjoÒdo, Odó,Opó, Òpò

Parí gbólóhùn Yorùbá yìí.Complete this Yoruba sentence

Èdè meélòó ni o lè sô?How many languages can you speak ?

Mo lè sô èdè m*** I can speak two languages.

Mo gbö Òyìnbó, mo tún lè sô YorùbáI understand En lish and I can also s eak Yorùbá.

Oo

Êkö Karùn ún 5 Lesson Five

ò o ó o-*o Ò O Ó

Page 18

(Two short of twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Kejìdínlógún



ô kõ ôkõ car (re dò)

ô-mô ômô child (re re)

ô wö ôwö hand (re mí)

õ bô õbô monkey

(dò re)

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí


Õ-rõ õrõ word

Õ-ÿö õÿö decoration

Mö-tò mötò motor

Õyöorúkô ìlú kan níilê Yorùbá the name of a

town in Yoruba-land


Ôkô, ÔköÕwõ, Ôwõ,

Parí õrõ yìí.Complete this word.

Níbo ni õbô yìí wà?Where is this monkey

Õbô náà wà lórí i**The monkey is on a tree.

Ôô

Êkö Kçfà 6 Lesson Six

õ ô ö ô-*ô Õ Ô Ö

Page 19

(One short of twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Kôkàndínlógún



“ u ” kìí bêrê õrõ ní ojúlówó YorùbáWords do not begin with “u ” in mainstream Yoruba.

dú dú dúdú black dù rù dùrù organ

(mí mí) (dò – dò) musical

P

dò

reí

dò re mí


ÿu-bú ÿubú

fall

kú-ru kúru

short

Tútù cold Tutù


Kújú, KúkùFùfú, Fùfù

Parí àwôn õrõ yìíComplete these words

o - *ó wà ní ô - *ö

money is in hand

Uu

d : r : m : f : s : l : t : d :

ò r mí ...

fa so la ti do

Êkö Keje 7 Lesson Seven

ù u ú *u-*u Ù U Ú

Page 20

(Twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Ogún




Àtç àwòrán àwôn õrõ tí ó bêrê tíó sì parí pêlú àwôn fáwêlì

Pictorial of words beginningand ending with the vowels

Aa Ee Çç Ii Oo Ôô Uu

ní oríÿìíríÿìí õnà in different ways

Àwôn õrõ tí ó bêrê tí ó sì parí pëlú orísìíríÿìí fáwêlìWords beginning and ending with different vowels

ò r mí

Page 21

(One over twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Kôkànlélógún



Fáwêlì tí ó ní àmì òkè ( á,é,ë,í,ó,ö,ú) kìí bêrê õrõ ní ojúlówó Yorùbá A vowel with a high pitch sound ( ´ ) does not begin words in Yoruba.

à-pò àpò bag

(dò-dò) à-gbò àgbò ram (dò-dò)

à-gbê àgbë farmer (dò-dò)

a-bç abç razor a-wó awó guinea-fowl (re-re (re-mí)

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí


Owó wà nínúàpò yìí.

There is money inside

this bag.


Àgbo, Agbo

Àwo, AwoAbëApó

Parí gbólóhùn yìí.Complete this sentence.

Ç** mélòó nìyìí? How many birds are these?

Ç** m*** ni. They are seven birds.

Êkö Kçjô 8 Lesson Eight

à, a - * a e ç i o ô u

Page 22

(Two over twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Kejìlélógún



e-tí etí ear (re-mí)

è-jì èjì two

(dò- dò ) è-so èso fruit (dò-re)

e-ní ení one e-ku eku rat

(re-mí) (re-re

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí


Túmõ àwôn õrõ yìí sí Gêësì.Translate these words to English.

Èní, ÈnìÈ jí

Parí õrõ yìíComplete this word

Etí mélòó ni o ní?How many ears do you have?

Etí m*** ni mo ní.I have two ears.

ßé ç þ gbádùnìwé kíkö yin? Are you enjoying

your studies?

Êkö Kçsàn-án 9 Lesson Nine

è, e-* i o u

Page 23

(Three over twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçtàlélógún



ê-

jô èjô eight (dò re) ç-

ja çja fish(re re) ê gbà êgbà necklace(dò dò)

ç nu çnu mouth ê pà êpà peanut(re re) (dò dò)

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí



ÇgbaÊpà Ç jö,

Parí gbólóhùn yìí.Complete this sentence.

Kí ni ó wà nínú * * * yìí?What is in this * * *?

* * * ni ó wà nínú *** yìí.It is money that is in this bag.

Èdè Yorùbá kòÿòro rárá.

Yoruba language is

not difficult at all.

Êkö Kçwàá 10 Lesson Ten

ë, ç - * a ç i ô u

Page 24

(Four over twenty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçrìnlélógún



i-

wé ìwé book (dò mí) ì-

lù ìlù drum(dò dò) ì yë ìyë feather(dò mí)

ì gò ìgò bottle(dò dò) i lé ilé house

(re mí) ì là ìlà line(dò dò)

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí



Ìlú,Ilá, Iwe

Parí gbólóhùn Yorùbá yìíComplete this Yoruba sentence

Ìwé mélòó nìyìí?

How many books are these?

Ìwé m*** ni wön.They are six books.

Êkö Kôkànlá 11 Lesson Eleven

ì, i - * a e ç o ô u

Page 25

(Five short of thirty)

O ú-ìwé Karùndínlö bõn



o-jú ojú eye o-lú olú mushroom o-mi omi water

(re-mí) (re-mí) (re-re)

o-rí orí head (re-mí)

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí



Oyè, Ôyë

Owú, ÒwuOrí

Parí gbólóhùn yìíComplete this sentence

Êkö kelòó nìyìí? What lesson is this?

Êkö k***** ni.It is the twelfth lesson.

Ò-ye òyewisdom

Ò-wú òwúthread

Ç kú iÿë o

Greetings forworking (hard).

Ojú ìwé wo nìyìí?What page is this?

Ojú ìwé************** ni.It is page twenty six.

Êkö Kejìlá 12 Lesson Twelve

ò, o - * e i u

Page 26

(Four short of thirty)

O ú-ìwé Kçrìndínlö bõn



(Igi) õ-pç õpçpalm tree ô-dç ôdç hunter õ-kë õkë kan

twenty thousand cowries

ôba ôba king õnà õnà road õ bç õbç knife Ôbç mélòó nìyìí?Ôbç mëfà ni.

Eré Àdìtú Game Quiz

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí


Kô ö lórin

Lílé - Solo

Kí ní þ lëjê?

What has blood?

Çja þ lëjê.Fish have blood

Ôbô þ lëjêThe monke has blood

Êkö Kçtàlá 13 Lesson Thirteen

õ, ô - * a ç

Ègbè - Refrain

Lçjç n lëjêHas blood, has blood.

Lçjç n lëjê

Has blood, has blood.


Page 27

(Three short of thirty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçtàdínlö bõn


ÔpëÕdê, Õdê

ÕkëÔpë,ÔbêÔnà

Sing it



ì jà pá ìjàpátortoise

ô pô lô ôpôlô brain

õ gê dê õgêdê banana

ç lë dê çlëdê pig

ò dò dó òdòdóflower

õ kë rë õkërësquirel

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí



À- jà-pá, Ì- jà-pá Õ-põ-lö Ò-gè-dè Ò-do-do

Lílé - Solo

Kí ní þ lëjê?What has blood?

Igi þ lëjê. A tree has blood.

Ìwé þ lëjê A book has blood

Ègbè - Refrain


Kì í lëjê

Does not have blood

Kì í lëjê

Does not have blood

Tree

Book

Êkö Kçrìnlá 14 Lesson Fourteen

ç-*ë-*ê ò-*ò-*ó ô-*ô-*ô

Page 28

(Two short of thirty)

O ú-ìwé Ke ìdínlö bõn




Àtç àwòrán àwôn õrõ tí óparí pêlú àwôn fáwêlìàránmúpè

Pictorial of words thatend with a nasalisedvowel.

Àwôn Fáwêlì Àránmúpè Nasalised Vowels

AN an ÇN çn IN in ÔN ôn UN un

Án án ËN ën ÍN ín ÖN ön ÚN ún

N an ÇN çn ÍN ín ÔN ôn UN un

ÀN àn ÊN ên ÌN ìn ÕN õn ÙN ùn

P

dò re mí

Page 29

(One wo short of thirty)

Ojú-ìwé Kôkàndínlögbõn



õ-kan õkan oneoókan ô-sàn ôsàn orange ê-sán êsán nine

ÔN

ê-fôn êfôn mosquito (yànmùyánmú)

ì bôn ìbôn gun a gbön agbön wasp

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí



Ôkàn, ÕsánÊsan, Çfõn,Àgbôn, Agbõn,Àgbõn,Ô bön, Ô bõn

AN an

Êkö Kçêëdógún 15 Lesson Fifteen

àn ön çn ín un

Page 30

(Thirty)

Ojú-ìwé Ôgbõn

Lílé - Solo

Kí ní þ lëjê?What has blood?

Ewé þ lëjê. A tree has blood.

Owó þ lëjê A book has blood

Ègbè - Refrain


Kì í lëjê

Does not have blood

Kì í lëjê

Does not have blood



e yín eyín tooth ç yin çyin egg ç ÿin çÿin horse

e rin erin elephant ç rin êrin four

ì yçn ìyçn that one ìwé yçn that book

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí



Êyin, Çyìn,

Êsìn, Êsín,

Parí àwôngbólóhùn yìí.

Kí nì yì?What is this?

Èyì þkö?What of this?

Àti èyìí?

And this?

IN in

Êkö Kçrìndínlógún 16 Lesson Sixteen

ÌN IN ÍN ìn in ín

Page 31

(One over thirty)

Ojú-ìwé Kôkànlélögbõn

Complete thesesentences.

*** ni.It is a shrimp.

*** ni.It is a chair.

*** ni.It is peanuts.

ÇN çn



ç-kùn çkùn tiger o-kùn okùn rope

ô-rùn ôrùn neck

Ôrùn çranko yìí gùn.This animal’s neck is long.

o gún ogún twenty

P

dò

re mí

dò re mí


I-kùn IkùnAbdomen

Stomach


Òkun, OkunÇkún, Êkùn

ÕrunOgun, ÒgúnIkún, Ikun

UN un

Êkö Kçtàdínlógún 17 Lesson Seventeen

ÙN UN ÚN ùn un ún

Page 32

(Two over thirty)

Ojú-ìwé Kejìlélögbõn

Parí àwôngbólóhùn yìí.

Kí nì yìí?What is this?



Complete thesesentences.

*** ni.It is one bottle.

*** ni.They are two hands.

*** ni.They are threebooks



Bàbá Dúró Fì-là

Ga Gbënàgbënà Hó

Jà¸bá Kòkòrò Lúwêë

P

dò

remí

dò re mí


Ga - TallHó - BoilingJà¸bá - Accident

B D F G GB H J K L

Kô àwôn õrõ tìrç tí ó bêrê pêlú köþsónáýtì. Write your own list of words beginning with a consonant.

Êkö Kejìdínlógún 8 Lesson Eighteen

Page 33

(Three over thirty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçtàlélögbõn



Màlúù Nà Pupa

Roboto Sáré ßòkòtò

Tábà Wàrà Yàrá

P

dò

reí

dò re mí


M N P R S ß T W Y

Kô àwôn õrõ tìrç tí ó bêrê pêlú köþsónáýtì. Write your own list of words beginning with a consonant.

Êkö Kôkàndínlógún 9 Lesson Nineteen

Page 34

(Four over thirty)

Ojú Ìwé Kçrìnlélögbõn



Gëgë bí a ti ÿàlàyé tëlê ní ojú-ìwé

kçwàá, àwôn bátànì sílébù Yorùbápín sí oríÿìí mëta báyìí:

As previously explained on page ten, thereare three syllable patterns in Yoruba asfollows:



3. (M m, N n) Sílébù Àránmúpè (Syllabic Nasal)

A tún fi yé wa pé ó wúlò láti yára

ÿe àkíyèsí bí ìhun õrõ pêlú sílébù ÿeþÿisë nípa wíwo àwôn õrõ onísílébùméjì díê.Bátànì méjì sì wáyé -

We also noted that it is instructive to

quickly note how these syllable building blocks work by illustrating with some bisyllabic words.Two patterns emerge -

1. F – KF V - CV a. A - dé b. À - dán

ße àkíyèsí pé fáwêlì ìbêrê kò lè jëfáwêlì àránmúpè.

Note that the starting vowel (F, V)cannot be a nasalised vowel.

2. KF –KF CV-CV a. Bà-bá b. ßë-gun c. Sàn-yàd. Fun-fun

Ní èdè Gêësì, àwôn fáwèlì méjì pérénínu àlífábëêtì ni o tún lè jë odidi õrõtí ó ní ìtumõ. Àwôn ni ‘ ’ and ‘ ’.

Ní èdè Yorùbá, gbogbo àwôn fáwêlì –a e ç i o ô u àti an çn in çn un

ni ó tún lè dá dúró nípò ara wôn gëgëbí odidi õrõ kan nígbà púpõ.

In the English language, only two vowels in thealphabet can also be a meaningful word. Theyare the letters ‘a’ and ‘ i ’

(as inA

boy,I

am here)In Yoruba, ALL the vowels, both oral andnasalised, may stand alone on their own asdistinct words.

ÀWÔN BÁTÀNÌ SÍLÉBÙSYLLABLE PATTERNS

Page 35

(Five short of forty)

Ojú-ìwé Karùndínlógójì



ÀWÔN ÕRÕ ONÍSILÉBÙ KAN MONOSYLLABIC WORDS

Mo bá ç yõ I rejoice with you.

Mo ti dé I have arrived.

Mo rí ç I see you.

Mo bê ö I beg you.

Má lù mí Don’t beat me.

Ó dùn mí

It hurt me.

Mo ti ÿe tán I have finished.

Kí lo wí? What did you say?

P

Kô àwôn õrõ onísílébù kan tìrç síbí. Write your own list of monosyllabic words here.


Êkö Ogún 2 Lesson Twenty

ÀWON BÁTÀNÌ SÍLÉBÙ SYLLABLE PATTERNS

F, KF V, CV

Page 36

(Four short of forty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçrìndínlógójì



ÀWÔN ÕRÕ ONÍSILÉBÙ KAN MONOSYLLABIC WORDSParts of the body

O-rí Head O-jú Eye E-tí Ear

I-mú Ç-nu È-tè

Ô-wö Ì-ka Ì-dí

Ç-sê A-pá À-yà

A-bë Ê-dõ A-ra

E-yín Ê-yìn A-hön

Õ-fun Ô-kàn I-tan

Ô-rùn À-gbõn I-run

I-kùn Ì-fun I-ÿan

(Àyöwí – Wo ojú-ìwé Kôkànlélögöta fún àwôn ìdáhùn díê)(Hint – see page 61 for some answers)

P


Òrí, Ète,Ìkà,Àpá, Àpà,Àgbôn, Agbön, ÕkanIkún, Aya,

Kô àwôn êyà ara ní èdè GêësìWrite the parts of the body in English.

Wo àwôn nöþbà yìí náà.Look at these numbers too.

Ení, Èjì, Êta, Êrin, Àrún,Êfà, Èje, Êjô, Êsán, Êwá


Êkö Kôkànlélógún 21 Lesson Twenty One


F, KF V, CV

Page 37

(Three short of forty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçtàdínlógójì



Ð ð, Ñ ñ

SYLLABIC NASAL

M, N gëgë bí i sílébù(sílébù àránmúpè)N yìí yàtõ sí èyí tí ó jë araõrõ oní sílébù àránmúpè.

M, N as a syllable(syllabic nasal) on its own.This ‘n’ is different from the

one that is part of a word withnasalized syllable

m àti n máa þ dún bákan náà– gëgë bí “ uhn” pêlú ohùnìsàlê, àárín tàbí òkè tí ó tö sí i.

m and n sound the same –

like “uhn” with the corresponding

low, mid or high pitch.

Ní Yorùbá òde-òní, ìmõràn tí a filölê ni pé kí a máa lo m dípò n

nígbà tí ó bá wà láàárín õrõ ÿùgbönogunlögõ òýkõwé ni o ÿì þ lo m nígbà tí ó ba ÿiwájú b pàápàá fúnorúkô

In modern day Yoruba it has been

recommended to replace m with n when

it occurs within a word, but manywriters still retain its use when it

precedes the consonant b, especially in

names. Àpççrç Examples

P

GBÓLÓHÙN SENTENCE

Mò þ lô “uhþ”I am going

Kò sí ñýkankan “uhñ uhý”There is nothing.

Kí lò þ wá? “uhþ”What are you looking for?

ORÚKÔ NAMES

Abíðbölá - Abí “uhñ” böláAdéþrelé - Adé “uhþ” relé

ÑÝKAN OBJECT

Òro¸bó - Òro“uhý”bó

Êkö Kejìlélógún 22 Lesson Twenty Two

ª Ý M N « Þ

Page 38

(Two short of forty)

Ojú-ìwé Kejìdínlógójì



ÀWÔN ÕRÕ ONÍSILÉBÙ MEJI BISYLLABIC WORDS

A dé Crown Bà bá Father

Ô lá Honour Bà tà Shoe

Ô pë Thanks Re re Good

Ç wà Beauty Dú dú Black

Õ rë Friend Kê kë Bicycle

À gbê Farmer Jõ wö Please

I gba Two hundred ßí bí Spoon

O kùn Rope ßù gbön But

Êkö Kçtalélógún 23 Lesson Twenty Three


F - KF V -CV KF - KF CV -CV

Page 39

(One short of forty)

Ojú-ìwé Kôkàndínlógójì

Kô àwôn õrõ onísílébù méjì tìrç síbí.

Write your own list of bisyllabic words here.




ÿí-bí ÿíbi spoon kê-kë kêkë bicycle bà-bá bàbá father

bà-tá bàtà shoe fì-là fìlà hat gè-lè gèlè head tie

Mo ní kêkë kanBàbá mi ló rà á fún mi.Ç ÿeun bàba.

I have a bicycle

My father bought it for me

Thank you dad.


BàbàBàtáÒro¸bó

Kí ni àwônnýkan wõnyi?

What are these

things?

1. **** ni.

It is a rope.

2. **** ni.

It is (a box of)eggs.

3**** ni.

It is an orange.


Êkö Kçrìnlélógún 24 Lesson Twenty Four


KF-KF CV-CV

Page 40

(Forty)

Ojú-ìwé Ogójì



kö kö rö kökörö ÿò-kò tò ÿòkòtò fè rè sé fèrèsékey pants (trousers) window

pë pë yç pëpëyç ga ra wa garawaduck bucket (pail)

P



Roboto

Rçpçtç

Kí ló wà nínú oko yìí?What is on this farm?

**** **** ni.

They are three horses.

Ýjë o rí çÿin kçta?Can you see the third horse?

Êkö Kçêëdögbõn 25 Lesson Twenty Five


KF-KF-KF CV-CV-CV

Page 41

(One over forty)

Ojú-ìwé Kôkànlélógójì

ké-ke-ré kékerésmall

pç-lç-bç pçlçbçflat



ÀWÔN ÕRÕ ONÍSILÉBÙ MÇTA TRISYLLABIC WORDS

F-F-KF , V-V-CV KF-F-KF , CV-V-CV

a-a-go aago (agogo) clock bö-õ-lù böõlù ball

F-F-KF , V-V-CV

o-ò-rùn oòrùn sun

KF-KF-F , CV-CV-V F-KF-KF , V-CV-CV

bà-lú-ù bàlúù aircraft à-gù-tàn àgùtàn sheep

ká à bõ káàbõwelcome

Êkö Kçrìndínlögbõn 26 Lesson Twenty Six


F-F-KF , V-V-CV KF-F-KF , CV-V-CV

Page 42

(Two over forty)

Ojú-ìwé Kejìlélógójì



WÔN R ON SIL B MÇRINTÀBÍ JÙ BËÊ LÔ

WORDS WITH FOUR OR MORESYLLABLES

KF-KF-KF CV-CV-CV-CV

tò-ló-tò-ló turkey

la-ba-lá-bá butterfly

kë-të-kë-tëdonkey

yàn-mù-yán-múmosquito

F-KF-KF-KF , V-CV-CV-CV F-KF-F-KF , C-CV-C-CV

à-lù-bö-sà onion a-lù-pù-pù motorcycle ò-gò-ý-gò ostrich

ÀWON ÕRÕ ONÍSÍLÉBÙ PÚPÕ MULTISYLLABIC WORDS

ADÉBÙSÖLÁ (F-KF-KF-KF-KF) The crown has added to our honourÔMÔLÚWÀBÍ (F-KF-KF-KF-KF) A virtuous child ÔMÔLÚÀBÍ (K-KF-KF-F-KF) À-LÀ-Á-FÍ-À (F-KF-F-KF-F) Peace, Health Ô-MÖ-BO-RÍ-O-WÓ (F-KF-KF-KF-F-KF) A child is more important than money

Êkö Kçtàdínlögbõn 27 Lesson Twenty Seven


KF-KF-KF-KF CV-CV-CV-CV

Page 43

(Three over forty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçtàlélógójì



Ó ÿe pàtàkì púpõ láti máa yán àwônlëtà mëta E O àti S nídìí pêlú döõtìtàbí ilà olóròó kúkúrú nígbà tí ó báyç. ßíÿe báyìí ni yóò jë kí òýkàwétètè mô ìtúmõ tí o tö sí õrõ náà.

Àti döõtì àti ilà olóròó kúkúrú niàkôtö èdè Yorùbá fôwö sí. Fífa ilàgbôôrô çlëbùú sábë àwôn lëtà yìí

lòdì sí òfin akôtö.

Lílo ilà olóròó kúkúrú ni mo fëràn jù ní tèmi nítorí pé:

Ó bójú mu ní wíwò lójú ìwéKì í parë tí a bá fa ilà sábë õrõ.

Wo àwôn àpççrç ìsàlêyìí

It is very important to insert a dot or short

vertical bar under the three letters E, O and S

in a word whenever necessary. In doing this,

the correct meaning of the word can be

quickly known by the reader.

Both the dot and short vertical bar are

approved in Yoruba orthography. Using a

dash under these letters is against

orthographic convention.

My preferred method is the short vertical bar

because:

It is aesthetically pleasing on the page

It is not occluded when words are

underlined.

Look at the examples below.

Êê Çç Ëë Õõ Ôô Öö ßÿ

Êê Çç Ëë Õõ Ôô Öö ßÿ

A rí ilà tí a fà gedegbe lábë ilàolóròó kúkúrú náà. Kò pa á rë.

The line can be seen distinctly below the

short vertical bar. It has not obstructed it.

È è Ẹ ẹ É é Ò ò Ó óỌ ọ Ṣ ṣ È è Ẹ ẹ É é Ò ò Ó óỌ ọ Ṣ ṣ Ilà tí a fà ti pa döõtì rë. The dot is cut off by the line

Page 44

(Four over forty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçrìnlélógójì

Ç ç Ô ô ß ÿ





ò o ó õ ô ö

Wo ìyàtõ láàárín O o àti Ô ô Observe the difference between O o and Ô ô

Êkö Kôkàndínlögbõn 29 Lesson Twenty Nine

Ò O Ó Õ Ô Ö

Page 46

(Four short of fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçrìndínláàádöta

Ôjö Day

Ôjö wo nìyìí?What day is this?

Òjò Rain

Òjò þ rõ.It is raining.

Owó wà ní ôwö mi.There is money in my hand.

Ôwö Hand wó Money

Ôyún Pus

Ôyún wà lójú egbò yìí.There is pus on this sore.

Oyún Pregnancy

Oyún kejì nìyìí.This is the second pregnancy.

Kòkòrò Insect

Olè Thief

Oko Farm

Oko Àdùkë nìyìí.This Aduke’s farm.

Kökörö Key

Ôkô Husband

Ôkô Àdùkë nìyìíThis is Aduke’s husband.

Õlç ni ó þ di olè. A lazy (person) becomes a thief.

Õlç Lazy (person)



Wo ìyàtõ láàárín S s àti ß ÿ Observe the difference between S s and ß ÿ

Êkö Ôgbõn 3 Lesson Thirty

S s ß ÿ

Page 47

(Three short of fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçtàdínláàádöta

Çsê Leg

Çsê þ dún mí.My leg is hurting.

Êÿê Sin

Êÿê ni irö pípa.Telling lies is a sin.

Ôÿç Soap

Ôÿç yìí dára.This soap is good.

Aÿô Cloth

Aÿô yìí dáraThis cloth is good

Õsê Week

Õsê kan kò tó.One week is not enough.

Asõ Quarrel

Asõ kò dára.Quarelling is not good.

Òsì left

Ôwö òsì mi niyìí.This is my left hand.

Àÿç

Àÿç ni.It is an order.

Òÿì poverty

Kò sí òÿì níbí.There is no poverty here.

Àsè feast

Àsè ìgbéyàwó ni.It is a wedding feast.



ÀkàyéComprehension

Nísisiyìí, àsìkò wá tó láti loàwôn êkö tí ç ti kö nínú ìwéyìí láti ìbêrê ní àwôn ojù-ìwétí ó têlé èyìí.

It is now time to put into practice

what you have learnt in this book so

far in the following pages.

A óò ÿe àyêwò àwôn àpólà,gbólóhùn õrõ àti ìkíni Yorubá.A óò pàdé çbí Ômôlúwàbí, a óòsì kö nípa Bíÿöõbù SámúëlìÀjàyí Crowther àti ìtàn iÿêdálêìjôba ìlê Yourùbá.

Iÿë yá.

We shall examine phrases, sentences,Yoruba greetings, meet theOmoluwabi family and learn about

Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther and

some basic history of the Yorubakingdom.

Get ready to work.

Ka àwôn gbólóhùn tí a kô sílê lësççsç.Read the sentences written down systematically.

Page 48

(Two short of fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Kejìdínláàádöta



Ìkíni ní oríÿìíríÿìí ìgbà àtifún oríÿìíríÿìí ìÿêlê wöpõ níàÿà Yorùbá. Díê nínú wônnìyìí.

Greetings at various times for various

occasions are very common in Yorubaculture. Here are some of them.

Ç káàárõ Good morning.

Ç káàsàn Good afternoon.

Ç kúrõlë Good evening.(early)

Ç káalë Good evening. (late)

Ó dàárõ Good night (till morning).

Ó dàbõ Good bye.

Ç káàbõ Welcome.

Ç kúulé Greetings on meeting you at home.

Ç kú àtijö Quite an age.

Ç kú ôjö mëta Have not seen you in a while.

ßé àlàáfíà ni? How are you? (are you in good health?

Ç kú ìnáwó Greetings for spending money.

Ç kú ìdìde Greetings for coming.

Ç kú àfojúbà Greetings for seeing a visitor.

Ç kú ìgbádùn Greetings for enjoying yourself.

PÌK ÍNI GREETINGS

Page 49

(One short of fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Kôkàndínláàádöta



Õrõ àti èsì Conversation

Ì - Ìbéèrè Q - Question È - Èsì A - Answer

Ì Ç káàárõ o, Màmá Bísí Q Good morning, Bisi’s mother.

È O o, káàárõ o. A Yes, good morning.

Ì ße dáadáa ni? Q

How are you? (Is it well with you?)

È A dúpë A Thank you.

Ì Àwôn ômô þkö? Q How are the children

È Wön wà ní àlàáfíà A They are in good health.

Ì Baálé þkö? Q How is your husband ?

È Àlàáfíà A Fine.

Ì Níbo ni ê þlô? Q Where are you going?

È Mò þlô söjà. A I am going to the market.

Ó dàbõ o. Good bye.

O o, ó dàbö Yes, good bye

P

Page 50

(Fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Àádöta

ÌK ÍNI GREETINGS



Çbí ÔmôlúwàbíThe Omoluwabi Family

Àköbí - First born child Àbíkëhìn - Last born child

Obìnrin - Female Obìnrin - Female Ôkùnrin - Male

Page 51

(One over fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Kôkànléláàádöta

Õgbëni Akíntúndé ÀkànbíÔmôlúwàbí

Mr. Akintunde Akanbi Omoluwabi

Abilékô Ômôlará ÀdùkëÔmôlúwàbí

Mrs. Omolara Aduke Omoluwabi

Miss

ÔláþrewájúÔmöboöláþlé

Ôlá

Miss

OlúwafúnmiláyõOlúwaÿeun

Olú

Master

AdéôláAdéyçmí

Adé



Çbí Ômölúwàbí jókòó láti jç oúnjç àárõThe Omoluwabi family at breakfast

Çbí Ômôlúwàbí jókòó láti jçoúnjç àárõ. Búrëdì àti çyindíndín ni wön fëë jç, ÿùgböniÿu àti õgêdê sísè ni bàbá yóò jç ní tire.

The Omoluwabi family is sitting downto eat breakfast. They are going to eat

bread and fried eggs but Dad will be

eating yam and boiled plantain byhimself.

Mom had prepared tea for the children.

She and Dad will be drinking coffee. Ìyá ti po tíì fún àwôn ômô,kôfí sì ni òun àti bàba yóòmu ní tiwôn.

One of the kids has spilled milk on the

table. Mom is finding out who did it.

Kò yá àwôn ômô lára láti jòkòó báyìí. Wôn féë lô síMakidónálìdì láti lo jç bögààti fráìsì ni.

The kids are not too excited sitting

down like this. They prefer to go to

McDonalds toeat burger and fries.

P

Page 52

(Two over fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Kejìléláàádöta



Çbí Ômôlúwàbí þ jç oúnjç àárõThe Omoluwabi family at breakfast

Bàbà gbádùn oúnjç tí a fi töôdàgbà. Kò fëë gbàgbé ìgbàèwe rê. Ojoojúmö ni ó máa þsô fún àwôn ômô pé: Bögàláàárõ, Bögà lösàn-àn, Bögà lálë

– ó màÿe o!

Dad likes the types of food hewas brought up with. He does

not want to forget his youth. He

says to the kids everyday -

Burger in the morning, burgerin the afternoon, burger at

night.What a pity !

P

Page 53

(Three over fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçtàléláàádöta



Ômôlará ni orúkô rê. Ó túnþ jë Àdùkë. Oríkì ni orúkôkejì yìí. Ômô ôdún mëêëdö-gbõn ni. Bàbá Ôlá ni àwônçgbë rê þ pè e gëgë bí àÿàìbílê nítorí pé Ôlá ni àköbí

àwôn ômô rê.

Her name is Omolara. She also

bears the name Aduke. This

second name is a cognomen.She is thirty-five years old. His

mates call him Baba Ola as is

the cultural practice because Ola

is his first born child.

Màmá Ôlá þ se oúnjç. Oúnjçõsán nìyìí. Êbà ni ó þ rò.Omi gbígbóná ni ó fi þ tçgaàrí tí yóò di êbà yìí.

Ola’s mother is preparing a

meal. This is lunch.She is preparing eba

She is mixing gaari in hot water

then it becomes eba.

Ó ti se ôbê êfö sílê. Ó fi çja

àti oríÿìíríÿìí çran síi. Àwônômô gbádùn oúnjç yìíÿùgbön bí a bá bi wôn léèrèpé èwo ni ó dára jù nínú êbààti bögà, wön á pariwogèèè… wön á níbögàààà…bögàààa…

She had cooked the vegetable

stew earlier. She put fish andassorted meat in it. The kids

love this food, but if they are

asked which one is better - eba

or burger- they’ll shoutgleefully ... and say burgerr...

burgerr...

Bàbá yóò tún wipe Bögà

láàárõ, Bögà lösàn-àn, Bögàlálë - ó màÿe o!

Dad will say again Burger in the

morning, burger in theafternoon, burger at night -what a pity !

Abilékô Ômôlúwàbí

(Màmá Ôlá)

Mrs Omoluwabi(Ola’s mother)

Page 54

(Four over fifty)

Ojú-ìwé Kçrìnléláàádöta



Akíntúndé ni orúkô rê. Ótún þ jë Àkànbí. Oríkì niorúkô kejì yìí. Ômô ôdúnméjìdínlógójì ni. Bàbá Ôlá ni

àwôn çgbë rê þ pè e gëgë bíàÿà ìbílê nítorí pé Ôlá niàköbí àwôn ômô rê.

His name is Akintunde. He also

bears the name Akanbi. This séondname is a cognomen. He is thirty-

eight years old. His mates call him

Baba Ola as is the cultural practice because Ola is his first born child.

Iÿë olùkö ni ó þ ÿe. Ó gbádúnìwé kíkà àti ìwé kíkô.

He is a teacher by profession.

He enjoys reading and writing.

Oúnjç tí ó gbádùn jù ni êbààti ôbê ilá. Ó tún fëràn iyánàti ôbê êfö. ßugbön iyán yìíkìí ÿe ti iÿu sísè tí a gúnnínú odó. Iyán rírò ni. Yóò jçë bëê-bëê.Kìí jç bögà rárá

His most favourite food is eba andokra stew. He also likes poundedyam and vegetable stew. But this

pounded yam is not the one made

from boiled yam that is pounded ina mortar with a pestle. It is just

powder stirred in hot water. He eats

it grudgingly.

He does not eat burger at all.

êbà - cassava meal

Ôgbëni Ômôlúwàbí(Baba Ôlá)

Mr. Omoluwabi(Ola’s father)

Page 55

(Five short of sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Karùndínlögöta



Ìkòkò Pot Êrô Kôfí Coffee maker Êrô omi Water tap

Êrô afàwoDish washer Ata Pepper Iyõ Salt

Êrô Ìdáná Cooker

P

Ìyà ààfin Ômôlúwàbí þ gbö oúnjç.Mrs. Omoluwabi preparing a meal

Page 56

(Four short of sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Kçrìndínlögöta

Àwòrán láti ôwö Abilékô Valerie Dámilölá OnäyçmíArtwork by Mrs Valerie Damilola Onayemi

Ibi ìdáná Kitchen

Omi gbígbóná Hot water

Omi tutu Cold water





Ômô ôdún mçjô ni Olú.Obìnrin ni òun náà. Àpètánorúkô rê ni Olúwafúnmiláyõ.Ó tún þ jë Olúwaÿeun.

Olu is eight years old

She is also a girl.

Her full name is

Oluwafunmilayo. She is

also called Oluwaseun.

Ó gbádùn dùrù títê àti ìwékíkà. Êkö Èdè Farañsé ni ófëràn jù. Ó máa þ bá àwônçlçgbë rê gbá böõlù orí papaní sömà. Ó tún gbádùn látilúwêë.

She enjoys playing the piano and reading. French

is her favorite subject. She

plays soccer with her

mates in the summer. She

also likes to swim.

Oúnjç tí ó gbádùn jù ni dòdòàti möín-möín, ÿùgbön kò fibögà, àkàrà òyìnbó àti àwônoúnjç mçdçnmëêndên ÿiré.

Her favorite food is fried

plantain and steamed bean

cakes, but she does not

joke with burger, cookies

and other junk food.

Olú Olu

Page 58

(Two short of sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Kejìdínlögöta



Ômô ôdún mëfà ni Adé.Ômôdékùnrin ni. Àpètánorúkô rê niAdéôlá. Ó tún þ jç Adéyçmí.Òun ni àbíkëhìn àwôn òbí rê.

Ade is six years old. He is a

boy. His full name is

Adeola. He is also known as

Adeyemi. He is the last child

of his parents.

Ó gbádùn eré böõlù orí pápá

ní soma. Ó tún gbádùn eréhökì orí aìsì ní wínþtà. Ómáa þ gbá böõlù àgbájùsáwõnnáà.ßùgbön ju gbogbo rê lô, ógbádùn ìwé kíkà yálà lóríbébà ni o tàbí lórí êrôkõnýpútà.

He enjoys playing soccer in

the summer. He also enjoys

playing ice hockey in the

winter. He also plays

basketball. But above all he

loves reading and writing

either on paper or on the

computer.

Ó wù ún láti gba àbúròôkùnrin.

He would love to have a

junior brother.

Adé Ade

Page 59

(One short of sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Kôkàndínlögöta



Ní àÿà Yorùbá, okùn tí ó so çbí põlágbára púpõ. Gbogbo çbí ni a kàsí ômô ìyá àti bàbá. Nítorí náà, kòsí ìtumõ pipe fún êgbön tàbíàbúrò ìyá àti bàbá àti ômô wôn.Bàbá àgbà, bàbá kékeré, ìyá àgbà,ìyá kékeré, êgbön àti àbúrò nigbogbo wôn.

In Yoruba culture, the family ties are verystrong such that members of the extended

family are usually regarded as belonging tothe same nuclear family. There is no distinct

translation for uncle, aunt, cousin - but they

are junior or senior father or mother, brother

and sister.

Bàbá Father Obìnrin Female

Ìyá Mother Ôkùnrin Male

Êgbön Older sibling Ômödébìnrin Girl

Àbúrò Younger sibling Ômödékùnrin Boy

Àköbí First born child Õdömôbìnrin Adolescent female

Àbíkëhìn Last born child Õdömôkùnrin Adolescent male

Bàbá àgbà Grand father Àna In-law

Ìyá àgbà Grand mother Àfësönà Fianceé

ÌyàwóWife

Ôkô Husband

P

ÇBÍ FAMILY

Page 60

(Sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Ôgöta



Orí Head

Irun Hair O jú Eye

Ètè Lip Etí Ear

Àgbõn Chin Imú Nose

Èjìká Shoulder Çnu Mouth

Àyà Chest Ôrùn Neck

Ìgúnpá Elbow Apá Arm

Ikùn AbdomenStomach

Ôwö Hand

Itan Thigh Ìka ôwö Finger

Orúnkún Knee cap Çsê Foot

Leg

Èékánná; Nail Ìka çsê Toe

PÀWÔN ÊYÀ RP RTS OF THE BODY

Page 61

(One over sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Kôkànlélögöta



BÍßÖÕBÙ SÁMÚËLÌ ÀJÀYÍ CROWTHERBISHOP SAMUEL AJAYI CROWTHER

Sámúëlì Àjàyí Crowther jë akëkõö kìn-ín-ní ní ilé-êkö gíga Fourah Bay ní orílê-dè Sàró. A bí i ní ìlú Òÿoògùn tí ó jë bíi ibùsõ mélòó kan sí ìlú Ìsëyìn ní apáguúsù rê. Àwôn akónilërú jí i gbé ní ôdún 1821 ÿùgbön a gbà a sílê lëhìn ôdún

kan, ó sì di akëkõö ní ilé-ìwé ajíhìnrere ní 1823. Ó jë õmõwé tí ó mòye púpõ níilé-êkögíga (1828) ó sì di àlùfáa ní 1843.Nípasê iÿë àpilêÿe rê nínú ìrìnàjò rê sí agbègbè odò Ôya (1841) èyí tí ó lànà fúnìdásílê àwôn ilé iÿë ajíhìnrere ní Igbèbè, Ònìÿà, Lököja, Àkàsà, Bõní, Abönémà àtiBúgúmà, a yàn án sí ipò Bíÿöõbù ‘Agbedeméjì Ìlà-Oòrùn Áfríkà títí kôjá ilê ÌjôbaÔbabìnrin Orílê-èdè Gêësì’ ní 1864.Ó tayô nínú iÿë ajíhìnrere, gbígbógun ti òwò çrú kíkó, àti iÿë olùköni (ó túmõÌwé Àdúrà sí Yorùbá, ó sì ÿe ìwé gírámà fún èdè Yorùbá, Íbò àti Nupé). Ó ní ìmõiÿë ìwòsàn àti iÿë ilé kíkö. Ó kó ipá pàtàkì ninu akitiyan bí èdè Yorùbá ÿe di kíkôsílê. Ó di olóògbé ní ôjö kìn-ín-ní, ní oÿù kejìlá, ôdún 1891.

(Ilé-iÿë aláÿç fún Ìkéde Ìròhìn Ìjôba àpapõ, nàìjíríà) (My Translation) Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first student of Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, was born at Osogun

a few kilometers south of Iseyin. He was kidnapped by slave traders in 1821, rescued a year later

and became a mission school boy in 1823. He had a brilliant college career (1828) and became a

clergyman (1843). As a result of his pioneering work in the Niger

expedition (1841) which eventually led to the

founding of missions in Igbebe, Onitsha, Lokoja,

Akassa, Bonny, Abonema and Buguma, he was

nominated and ordained Bishop of Western Equitorial

Africa beyond the Queen’s Dominion in 1864.

He distinguished himself in such areas as evangelism,

crusade against slave trade and education (translation of

Prayer Book into Yoruba, authored grammar books for

Yoruba, Ibo and Nupe languages ), medicine and

architecture. He played a vital role in how the Yoruba

language was first reduced to writing. He died on 1st

December 1891.

(Federal Ministry of Information, Nigeria)

Page 62

(Two over sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Kejìlélögöta



ÌJÔBA ORÍLÊ-ÈDÈ YORÙBÁYORUBA KINGDOM

Àwôn Yorùbá àti orílê-èdè wôn ti wà fún ìgbà pípë ÿíwájú ôdún 1000 A.D.(Çgbêrún ôdún lëyìn ikù Olúwa wa), èdè wôn sì ti wà fún, ó kéré tán, çgbêrúnôdún méjì. Àwôn êya ènìyàn mìíràn tí ó wá darapõ mö àwôn ômô ìbílê Yorùbá

láàárín ôdún 700 sí 1000 A.D. kó oríÿìíríÿìí àÿà tuntun àti ìwà wá.Bí ó tile jë pé õpõlôpõ ìtàn àdáyébá ni ó wà nípa ìpilêÿê ilê Yorùbá, èyí tí ó tayô tía sì gbàgbö ni èyí tí ó sô pé Ilé-Ifê ni ilê ìbí wôn. Ilé-Ifê dé góþgó agbára rê níôdún 1300 nígbà tí a fi tánþganran ÿe àwôn iÿë ônà. ßùgbön ní àkókò ìparí ôdún1400, agbára ìjôba rê wale, ó sì fi àyè sílê fún ti ìjôba Õyö tí ó wà ní àríwá ilêYorùbá.

Jíjç ôba, êsìn àti iÿë ônà ÿíÿe jë pàtàkì ní àÿà ìbílê. Àÿàyìí sì fìdí mule ní àwônorílê-èdè Karíbíánì àti Bràsíl níbití a kó o lô ní ìgbà òwò çrú ní àkókò ôgörùn-únôdún kejìdínlógún. Ôba Adésôjí Adérêmí tí a bí ní ôdún 1889 ni Ôõni

kejìdínláàádöta Ilé-Ifê. Ó jôba láàárín ôdún 1930-1981. Ó ÿe akitiyan púpõ fúnìdàgbàsókè àÿà ìbílê Yorùbá.(My translation)

The Yoruba people and their homeland took shape long before 1000 A.D. and their language

is at least 2000 years old. Between 700 and 1000 A.D. an influx of immigrants merged with

the Yoruba indigenes, injecting into the area new influences and ideas.

Although several traditions concerning the origins of the Yorubas exist, one of the more

commonly held belief is that Ife is their birthplace. Ife’s power reached its zenith around

1300 A.D., culminating in the production of the famous Ife bronzes. However, towards the

end of 1400 A.D., its political influence declined making way for the rise of the Oyokingdom in Northern Yorubaland.

Kingship, religion and craftsmanship have remained the main

focus of Yoruba culture. Its cultural influence is remarkably

strong in the Caribbean and Brazil where it was exported

during the era of the slave trade in the eighteenth century.

Born in 1889, Oba Adesoji Aderemi (1930-1981) was the

forty-eighth Oni of Ife, who contributed immensely to

Yoruba cultural development

( Federal Ministry of Information, Nigeria)

Ôba Adésôjí Adérêmí

Page 63

(Three over sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Kçtàlélógójì



ORÍLÊ-ÈDÈ COUNTRY

NàìjíríàKánádàAmëríkàKúbàBùràsíìlìTrínídáàdì àti Tòbágò

Nigeria

Canada

America

CubaBrazilTrinidad & Tobago

ÌPÍNLÊ PROVINCE / STATE

JöjíàÁídáhòOháyòKalifóníàÕýtáríòMìnêsótàMíÿígáànìKõlõrádò

Georgia

IdahoOhioCalifornia

OntarioMinessota

MichiganColorado

ÌLÚ CITY / TOWN

ÖtáwàßìkágòWöÿínþtìnBárìFiladëlfíàMìlwökì

MiniápólíìsìMàyámìÀtláþtà

OttawaChicagoWashington

BarriePhiladelphia

Milwaukee

MineapolisMiamiAtlanta

P

ORÚKÔ DÍÊ NÍNÚ ÀWÔN ORÍLÊ-ÈDÈ ÌPÍNLÊ ÀTI ÌLÚ

NAMES OF SOME COUNTRIES, STATES/PROVINCES AND CITIES/TOWNS

Page 64

(Four over of sixty)

Ojú Ìwé Kçrìnlélögöta



Àkójôpõ õrõ létò çlëgbëmçgbë

Vocabulary - in functional groups

ÀárõÕsánÌrõlëAlëÒru

ÀkókòÌÿëjúWákàtíÔjöÕsêOÿù

Ôdún

ÀnáÒní (Èní)ÕlaÕtúnlaÌjçtaÌjçrinÌjarùn-ún

Õsê tó kôjáÕsê tó þ bõ

OòrùnÒÿùpáÌràwõÒfúrufúAyé

ÕrunÒjò

à-á-rõõ-sánì-rõ-lëa-lëò-ru

à-kó-kòì-së- júwá-kà-tí o- jöõ-sê o-ÿù

ô-dún

à-náò-ní (è-ní)õ-laõ-tún-laì- jç-taì- jç-rinì- ja-rùn-ún

õ-sê tókô- jáõ-sê tó þbõ

o-ò- rùn ò-ÿù-páì-rà-wõò-fú-ru-fúa-yé

õ-runò- jò

morningafternoonlateafternoonevening(after dark)night

timeminutehourday

weekmonthyear

yesterdaytodaytomorrowtwo daysagothree days

agofour daysagolast weeknext week

sunmoonstarsky

earthheavenrain

ÀríwáGúúsùÌlà-oòrùnÌwõ-oòrùn

ÀwõPupaFunfunDúdú

IléYàrá

ÕdêdêÌyêwùGbàngànBalùwêIlêkùnFèrèséÒgiriÀjà

ßíbí

ÕbçÀmúgaÀwo

Abö

IfeÌkòkò

AkëkõöOlùkö

à-rí-wágú-ú-sùì-là-o-ò-rùnì-wõ-o-o-rùn

à-wõpu-pafun-fundú-dú

i-léyà-rá

õ-dê-dêì-yê-wùgbàn-gànba-lù-wêi-lê-kùnfè-rè-séò-gi-rià- jà

ÿí-bí

õ-bçà-mú-gaà-wo

a-bö

i-feì-kò-kò

a-kë-kõ-öo-lù-kö

northsoutheastwest

colorredwhiteblack, dark

houseroom

porch, lobbyhallbedroombathroomdoorwindowwallattic

spoon

knifeforkporcelainbowl, plateenamel orplastic bowlpancup, tumblerpot

student/pupilteacher

Page 65

(Five short of seventy)

Ojú Ìwé Karùndínláàádörin



Àkójôpõ õrõ létò çlëgbëmçgbëVocabulary - in functional groups

Ebi

ÒýgbçOúnjçOmiÔbêÇranÇja

AÿôFìlàßõkòtò

BùbáÌróGèlèBàtàÌbõsêPátáßinmí

ArúgbóÀgbàÕdöÔmödéÈwe

ÔkùnrinObìnrinAkôAbo

e-bi

ò-ý-gbço-ún- jço-miô-bê e³-ranç- ja

a-ÿô fì-là ÿò-kò-tò

bù-báì-ró gè-lèbà-tàì-bõ-sêpá-táÿin-mí

a-rú-gbó à-gbà õ-döô-mô-déè-we

ô-kùn-rino-bìn-rina-kôa-bo

hunger

thirstfoodwaterstewmeatfish

cloth,garmentcaptrousers, shorts

tunic, blouseloin clothhead-tieshoesockspantiesundergarment,chemise

elderly personelderadolescent, youth,childyouth, youngfolks, children,childhoodmanwomanmalefemale

Bàbá

ÌyáÕgbçniÌyá-ààfinAbilékôOmidanAdélébõ

GbónáTútùLöwörö

OníléÀlejòÕgáÔmô-iÿëÔmô-õdõ

ÌbéèrèÌdáhùnÈsìÒkè

Ilê

ÌbêrêÒpinIwájúÊyìn (Êhìn)IÿëEré

bà-bá

ì-yá õ-gbë-ni ì-yá-à-a-fina-bi-lé-kôo-mi-dana- dé-lé- bõ

gbó-nátú-tùlö-wö-rö

o-ní-léà-le- jòõ-gá ô-mô-i-ÿëô-mô-õ-dõ

ì-bé-è-rè ì-dá-hùnè-sìò-kè

i-lê

ì-bê-rêò-pini-wá- jú ê-yìn (ê-hìn)i-s³e³;e-ré

father

motherMr.Mrs?MrsMissMiss?

hot (adj) cold (adj)lukewarm

hostguestmasterapprenticeservant

questionanswerreplytop, hill,mountainground

beginningendfrontbackworkplay

oókanléláàdöta

Page 66

(Four short of seventy)

Ojú Ìwé Kçrìndínláàádörin



Àkójô õrõ - Onírúurú

Vocabulary - Miscellaneous

Ààyè

AgbáraÀgbàráÀgbáyéÀìmoyeÀkójôpõÀkókòÀkököÀmìÀýfàníÀÿà

ÀÿáÀÿçÀwòránÀwõnÀwônÀyàAyaÀyèAyé

DáraDökítàDúpë

ÊköÇgbëÊgbë

GëgëGidigidiGbìyànjú

Ìdálê

à-à-yè

a-gbá-raà-gbà-ráà-gbá-yéà-ì-mo-yeà-kó- jô-põà-kó-kòà-kö-köà-mìà-ý-fà-níà-ÿà

à-ÿáà-ÿçà-wò-ránà-wõnà-wônà-yàa-yaà-yèa-yé

dá-radö-kí-tàdú-pë

ê-köç-gbëê-gbë

gë-gëgi-di-gi-digbì-yàn- jú

ì-dá-lê

living

powertorrentworldcountlesscollectiontimefirstsignbenefithabit, custom

hawk (bird)orderpicturenettheychestwifespaceworld

gooddoctorto thank

lessonassociationside

accordinglyvery muchto try

a place abroad

Ìdúpë

ÌlànàIlé-ìwòsànIlêÌmõÌmõrànÌran

Ìrókò

Ìÿe

IÿëÌÿòroÌtúmõÌyàtõ

KáàkiriKàwéKõwéKö

KõKôMöMõMô

OjoojúmöOhùnOlùdaríOgunlögõÕrõÔrõÕnàÔnà

pàtàkì

ì-dú-pë

ì-là-nài-lé-ì-wò-sàni-lêì-mõì-mõ-rànì-ran

ì-ró-kò

ì-ÿe

i-ÿëì-sò-roì-tú-mõì-yà-tõ

ká-à-ki-rikà-wékõ-wékö

kõkô mömõmô

o- jo-o- jú-möo-hùno-lù-da-río-gun-lö-gõõ-rõô-rõõ-nàô-nà

pà-tà-kì

thanksgiving

procedurehospitalfloor, groundknowledgeadvicegenerations,sightAfrican teaktreecustom, habit

workdifficultymeaningdifference

everywherereadwriteto learn,toteach

to refusewrite cleanto know to mould

everydayvoicedirectorvery manywordwealthroadart

important

Page 67 (Three short of seventy)

Ojú Ìwé Kçtàdínláàádörin



APPENDIX 1

Àwôn Ìdáhùn Õrõ YorubaYoruba Word List Answers

Page 14 Page 17

AjáÀjà ÀgbàÀpáÀpàAraÀràArá

A- jáÀ- jàÀ-gbàÀ-páÀ-pàA-raÀ-rà,A-rá

DogAtticAdultScarProdigalBodyFashionRelation

ÌdíIbíIbiÌrìÌgbìÌtí

Ì-dí I-bí I-bi Ì-rì Ì-gbì Ì-tí

ReasonPlaceEvilDewWaveBeam

Page 15 Page 18

ÈweEréÈrèÈteÈdè

È-we E-ré È-rè È-te È-dè

YouthPlayProfitIntentionLanguage

ÒwòÒkòOkóÒjóOjoÒdo

OdóOpóÒpò

Ò-wò Ò-kòO-kó Ò- jóO- jo Ò-do

O-dóO-pó Ò-pò

TradeStonePenisA nameCowardZero

MortarWidowBother

Page 16 Page 19

ÊjëÇsçÊyç

Ê- jëÇ-sç Ê-yç

VowVerseHigh esteem

ÔkõÔkôÔköÕkõÕwõÔwõÕwö

Ô-kõ Ô-kô Ô-kö Õ-kõ Õ-wõ Ô-wõ Õ-wö

VehicleHusbandHoeSpearRespectBroomFlock

Àkíyèsí: Àwôn õrõ mélòó kan ní ìtúmö tí ó ju õkan lô. Õkan péré ni a töka sí níbí.Note: Some words have more than one meaning. Only one has been indicated here.




Page 20 Page 25

KúkúKúkùKújú,Fùfú,

Kú-kúKú-kù Kú- jú Fù-fú

RatherA nameDullCassava meal

Ìlú,ÌlùÌlàIlá

Ì-lú Ì-lù Ì-là I-lá

TownDrumLineOkro

Page 22 Page 26

Àgbo

AgboÀwoAwoAbëApó

À-gbo

A-gbo À-wo A-wo A-bëA-pó

Concoction

CirclePlateCult

Sheath

Oyè

ÔyëOwúÒwuOrí

O-yè

Ô-yë O-wú Ò-wu O-rí

Title

HarmattanEnvyA townHead

Page 23 Page 27

ÈníÈnìÈjí

È-níÈ-nìÈ- jí

TodayOver-measureGap betweenteeth

ÔpëÕdêÔnà

Ô-pëÕ-dê Ô-nà

GratitudeDunceArt

Page 24 Page 28

ÇgbaÊpà

Ç jö

Ç-gbaÊ-pà

Ç- jö

WhipPeanut

Case

À- jà-pá Õ-põ-lö

Ò-gè-dè Ò-do-do

À- jà-pá Õ-põ-lö

Ò-gè-dè Ò-do-do

TurtleToad

IncantationTruth Àkíyèsí: Àwôn õrõ mélòó kan ní ìtúmö tí ó ju õkan lô. Õkan péré ni a töka sí níbí. Note: Some words have more than one meaning. Only one has been indicated here.




Page 30 Page 37

ÔkànÕsánÊsanÇfõnÀgbônAgbõnÀgbõnÔgbön

Ô-kàn Õ-sán Ê-san Ç-fõn À-gbôn A-gbõn À-gbõn Ô-gbön

HeartAfternoonRevengeElephantCoconutBasketChinWisdom

ÒríÈteÌkàÀpáÀpàÀgbônAgbönÕkanIkún

Aya

Ò-rí È-te Ì-kà À-pá À-pà À-gbôn A-gbön Õ-kan I-kún

A-ya

HeadLipFingerArmProdigalCoconutBeeOneStomach

Chest

Page 31 Page 40

ÊyinÇyìnÊsìnÊsín

Ê-yin Ç-yìn Ê-sìn Ê-sín

You (plural) NutReligionShame

BàbàBàtáÒro¸bó

Bà-bà Bà-tá Ò-ro-¸-bó

BarleyShoeOrange (fruit)

Page 32 Page 41Òkun,OkunÇkúnÊkùnÕrunOgunÒgún

IkúnIkun

Ò-kun,O-kunÇ-kún Ê-kùn Õ-run O-gun Ò-gún

I-kún I-kun

OceanStrengthCryFullnessHeavenWargod of iron

PhlegmAbdomen

RobotoRçpçtç

Ro-bo-to Rç-pç-tç

RoundFlat

Àkíyèsí: Àwôn õrõ mélòó kan ní ìtúmö tí ó ju õkan lô. Õkan péré ni a töka sí níbí. Note: Some words have more than one meaning. Only one has been indicated here.



Preface to first Edition

Ní ayé òde òní, ogunlögõ àwôn ômô ìbílê Yorùbá ni ó di çni tí ó sô

ìdálê di ilé yálà fún ìgbà díê, tàbí ní ìdúró pë títí. Nípa báyìí, wônþ dara põ mö àwôn ìran mõlëbí bàbá þlá wôn àtijö, àwôn ìranYorùbá ilê Bràsíìlì, Kúbà, Trinidáàdì àti Tòbágò, káàkiri ìlêKaríbíáànì àti Àkójôpõ Ilê Amëríkà àti gbogbo àwôn tí ó fön káàkiriàgbáyé.

Ó di õrànyàn fún wíwà láàyè ìÿe àti àÿà ìbílê láti ní àwôn ìwé,magasínìnnì àti oríÿìíríÿìí àwôn ñýkan ìmõ tí a fi kõýpútà ÿe níàröwötó tí èdè, ìÿe àti àÿà ìbílê Yorùbá kò bá ní pare láàárín àwônwõnyí àti ìran wôn. Irú àwôn ñýkan bàyìí ÿõwön púpõ ní löölööyìí. Õpõlôpõ àwôn ìwé êkö èdè tì a þ mú wá láti ilé kìí wúlò púpõfún iÿë yìí. L’önà kìn-ín-ní, a ÿe wôn fún êkö èdè ní ilê Yorùbá ni,à sì kô wön láti òkè dé ilê ní èdè náà ni. Ní õnà kejì êwê, àwôngbòýgbò õrõ tí ó wà nínú wôn ÿe àjèjì sí çni tí ó þ dàgbà ní ìdálê.

Bí ó tilê jë pé ó ÿe pàtàkì láti fi ìÿe àti àÿà ìbílê hàn nínú àwôn ìwéyìí, tí ó sì jë pé ohun tí a þ lépa nìyìì, ó tö, ó sì yç kí a fi àwôn

ñýkan tí ó jç mímõ fún akëkõö kún un láti fi fà wön möra, kí ìfëwôn sì dúró.

Púpõ nínú àwôn ìlú tí àwôn ômô Yorùbá põ sí ní ìlú òkèèrè ni ó þdá ilé-ìwé sílê fún kíkö àwôn ômô wôn ní èdè ìbílê. Àwôn olùkö tíó yõýda ara wôn fún iÿë yìí ÿùgbön tí kìí ÿe pé wôn kö èdè jinlê sìwà láàárín àwôn tí ó þ bójú tó irú àwôn ilé-ìwé bëê. Àwôn òbí tàbíaya àti ôkô pàápàá þ bá ara wôn ní ipò olùkö-èdè fún àwôn tí ósúnmö wôn, ÿgbön láì ní ñýkan èlò fún iÿë yìí, ó þ jë ìÿòro fún

wôn. Ìwé yìí wà fún sísô èle yìí di êrõ. Êkö èdè Yorùbá wà nínú ètòêkö àwôn ilé-ìwé gíga mèlòó kan ní ìdálê báyìí. Àwôn ìwé tí ó wàfún êkö yìí lè ÿòro fún alákõöbêrê tí kò bìkítà fún gírámà þlá níìbêrê ÿùgbön tí ó kàn fëë mõn ön kô, mõn ön kà fún ìgbádùn lásánni. Ìdí tí a fi ÿe àwön õwö ìwé yìí nìyìí. Ç máa gbádùn ìwé kíköyin.



Preface to first Edition

In recent times an increasing number of Yorubas are taking up residence abroad

either temporarily, but for extended periods of time, or permanently. In a way,they are joining the descendants of their forebear’s cousins of generations past,

people of Yoruba heritage in Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, all over the

Caribbean and the United States of America and indeed a great many others

scattered worldwide.

In order to ensure the long term survival of the Yoruba culture in generations

unborn, it is necessary for these groups to have at their disposal books,

magazines, computer programs and other resources that will help them

appreciate their roots. There is a dearth of such material at the present time.Many of the books available for language learning are imported and may not be

particularly useful for this purpose. In the first place, the books are designed for

use in Yoruba-land and as such are written entirely in Yoruba. Secondly the

theme of the writings is usually not familiar to users growing up abroad. Whilst it

is essential to convey aspects of Yoruba culture in the writings, and indeed this is

the ultimate objective, it is essential to incorporate themes familiar to the reader

to attract and sustain their interest.

Several communities abroad have established Yoruba schools to teach their

children Yoruba language and culture. These schools are usually manned by

volunteer teachers who are not necessarily trained experts. Parents and spouses

also find themselves in the position of wanting to teach but with no resources.

This book is designed to alleviate this problem. Yoruba language features in the

curriculum of some academic centers abroad. The material available for these

studies may be too academic for the average person whose immediate concern is

not to master the intricacies of the grammar but to find a practical way to learn

the language in a fun way. This is the purpose for which these series have been

created. Enjoy your studies.



Ìdupë PàtàkìSpecial Acknowledgement

Mo dupe púpõ löwö Õjõgbön-àgbà Õmõwé Adébóyè Babalôlá tíwôn ÿe àyêwò àtêjáde kìnínní ìwé yìí tí wôn sì ÿe àtúnÿeàwôn àÿìÿe mi láìjáfara.Õjõgbön Babalôlá jë ògbóýtagí onímõ-ìjìnlê Yorùbá. Olórí Çka

Ìmõ Èdè àti Lítíréÿõ Áfríkà ní Yunifásítì Ìlú Èkó, Nàìjíríà niwôn jë fún õpõlôpõ ôdún kí wôn tó fêhìntì nibi-iÿë.A óò máa ríi yín bá o.

Õjõgbön Adébóyè Babalôlá di olóògbè ní ôjö kçêëdógún, oÿùkejìlá, ôdún 2008. Sùn re o, Bàbá.

I am indeed very grateful to Emeritus Professor Adeboye Babalola who, at

short notice, reviewed the first edition of this book and corrected mymistakes.

Professor Babalola is a renowned Yoruba scholar who was for many years

the head of Department of African Languages and Literatures, Universityof Lagos, Nigeria, prior to his retirement.

We are following your footsteps.

Professor Adeboye Babalola was deceased on December 15, 2008 at the

age of 82. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

P



Báwo ni o ti rí ìwé yìí sí? What is your impression about this book?

Kí ni àwôn ñýkan tí o fëë rí

nínú àtúnÿe rê ní ôjö iwájú?

What are the changes you would like to see

in a future edition?

Kõwé sí wa. Write to us



Õrõ nípa Òýkõwé yìí

Dökítà Adébùsölá Ônäbàjò Ônäyçmí jë OníÿègùnAkunnilóorun -jí-ni ní Ilé-Ìwòsàn-an Royal

Victoria ní ìlúu Bárì, Òýtáríò, Kánádà. Òun sì túnni olùdarí ilé iÿëç Bis Bus International tí wön þÿe àtêjáde êkö ìmõ lórísìírísìí õnà pëlúu Kõýpútà.Òun ni atêwéjade magasínìnnì onígbédègbëyõYorùbá: Mõ ön kô, Mõ ön kà. Òun sì ni olùdásílêÇgbë Àjùmõka Yorùbá Ilê Àríwá Amëríkà èyí tí ówà fún àýfàní àwôn ômô Yorùbá ní ìdálê láti jë kíó rôrùn fún wôn láti kö èdè àti àÿà ìbílêç wôn.Ìwé yìí ni àkökö nínú õwö àwôn ìwé tí a ÿe fún àwôn ômô çgbë yìí

àti gbogbo àwôn tí ó jç níyàn láti kö èdèe Yorùbá káàkiri àgbáyé. Aÿe téèpù àti àwo kõýpútà tí a mõ sí CD-ROM ní ìbámu pêlú ìwé yìíláti túbõ mú êkö èdè yìí rôrùn fún wôn.Dökítà Ônäyçmí gbàgbö pé nípa mímú iÿë yìí wáyé, òun ti ÿe êtöô

tirê, ó wá yç kí àwôn òbí, aya tàbí ôkô àti àwôn tí ó wà ní ipò láti jë olùkö èdèe Yorùbá fún çlòmìíràn lo iÿë yìí fún ìdàgbàsókè àÿàìbílêç wa. Alágçmô ti bí ômô rê tán, àìmõö jó kù sí ôwö ômô rê.

Dr. Adebusola Onabajo Onayemi is a specialist Anesthesiologist at the Royal

Victoria Hospital, Barrie, Ontario, Canada. He is also the Executive Director of

Bis Bus International, a Yoruba language Multimedia Publishing Company. He is

the publisher of Yorùbá: Mõ ön kô, Mõ ön kà. ( Know how to Write it , Know

how to Read it ) a bilingual Yoruba/English magazine. He is the founder of YorubaReaders’ Club of North America which was established to give Yoruba children in

the diaspora a practical way to learn their language and culture.

This is the first of a series of books designed for use by members of the club

and indeed all who have the desire to learn Yoruba worldwide There is also a

Documents

YorubaPrimer.pdf