REANALYSING DEVIANT IGBO NOMENCLATURES FOR IMPROVED IGBO LANGUAGE EDUCATION

Abstract

The Igbo language has experienced significant structural and orthographic influence from English as a result of colonial contact. This influence is particularly evident in several Igbo nomenclatures associated with identity, including personal names and place names, many of which deviate from established Igbo phonotactic constraints, syllable structure, and orthographic conventions. Despite these deviations, such forms have gained widespread acceptance and are frequently used in formal and educational contexts. This study investigates these deviant Igbo nomenclatures with the aim of reanalysing them in line with the principles of standard Igbo orthography and phonology. Data for the study were collected from diverse sources, including maps, signposts, social media platforms, and native speaker intuitions. The collected forms were systematically analysed against the backdrop of Igbo syllable structure, which typically disallows consonant codas and clusters, in contrast to English. Findings reveal that many of these deviations follow identifiable patterns largely attributable to the influence of English orthographic and phonological systems. Based on this analysis, the study proposes standardised forms that conform to Igbo linguistic rules. It is argued that the adoption of these reanalysed forms will not only promote consistency in Igbo language usage but also enhance its teaching and reinforce a more authentic linguistic identity.