Igbo
A language of Nigeria
| Population | 18,000,000 (Wiesenfeld 1999). |
| Region | Abia state, Anambra state, Aguata, Anambra, Awka, Idemili, Ihiala, Njikoka, Nnewi, and Onitsha LGAs; Enugu state, Awgu, Enugu, Ezeagu, Igo-Etiti, Igbo-Eze, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu, Nsukka, Udi, and Uzo-Uwani LGAs; Imo state; Rivers state, Ikwerre, Bonny, and Ahoada LGAs; Delta state, Oshimili, Aniocha, and Ndokwa LGAs; Akwa Ibom state, Ika LGA. The only or majority language in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. Also in northeast Delta state and southeast Rivers state, Oyigbo LGA and Opobo part of Opobo-Nkoro LGA, and alongside Ibani [iby] in Bonny LGA. |
| Language maps |
Nigeria, Map 10, reference number 326 Nigeria, Map 6, reference number 326 Nigeria, Map 7, reference number 326 Nigeria, Map 9, reference number 326 |
| Alternate names | Ibo |
| Dialects | Owerri (Isuama), Onitsha, Umuahia, Orlu, Ngwa, Afikpo, Nsa, Oguta, Aniocha, Eche, Egbema, Oka (Awka), Bonny-Opobo, Mbaise, Nsuka, Ohuhu, Unwana. 30 dialects vary in inherent intelligibility. The standard literary form is developing based on the dialects of Owerri and Umuahia, omitting the nasality and aspiration found in those dialects. |
| Classification | Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Igboid, Igbo |
| Language use | Official language in the southeast. The main trade language of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. Used for government notices. |
| Language development | Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1906–2006. |
| Writing system | Latin script. |
| Comments | Christian, traditional religion. |
Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:
Academic Publications
Ethnologue: Web |
Ethnologue: Print |
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Bibliography data last updated: April-2012
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