Language is use to expressing thought and clarifying thought both in speech and writing

used by people of a particular area. Language is a vocal expression.(Adewuyi at al, 2022).

To gain mastery of a language it is essential to know the grammatical rules (Awóbùlúyì,
1979) and have knowledge of the phonetics and phonological system. The phonetics and
phonological system is made up of Prosody and segmental features. The Yoruba
language is poetic hence the speaker must properly used the tone on every syllable to be
understood by the listeners.

Comparism Between Yoruba Language and English Language

A syllable-timed language means that the amount of time it takes to say a sentence
depends on the number of syllables in the sentence. A stress-timed language means that
the amount of time required to say a sentence depends on the number of stressed
syllables in the sentence. Yoruba is a syllable timed language.
Yoruba Alphabet has 25 letters (vowels and consonants) while English has 26
letters of the alphabet. The following English alphabets are not found in Yoruba
alphabets: c, q, v, x, z; while these alphabets in Yoruba language are not found in English
alphabets: ẹ, ọ, gb, ṣ.
Yórùbá Gẹ̀ẹ́sì (English)
Alphabet) 25 26
Vowel letters 7 5
Consonant letters 18 21
Vowel sound 18 24
Consonant sound 12 20
There are 30 phonetic letters in Yoruba language while there are about 44 phonetic
letters in English. Yoruba language phonetic is easier than English language phonetic.
The phonetic letters in Yoruba and English language has some similarities and
differences. In Yoruba language every letter has a unique pronunciation unlike English
language where stress and the class of the word changes the quality of a vowel in a word
hence affect the pronunciation For instance Aa is pronounced as /a/ every where it occur
1
in Yoruba lanuguage as in bata - (shoe) , apata”- (rock), pako (plank) but in English
language Aa is pronounced /æ/ in bat, /ə / in “about”, /eɪ/ as in daisy, and /ɑ:/ in last. Let
take a look at the word ‘object’ in English language; it is pronounce in two ways
depending on the class of word: Object (noun) /ɒbʤɪkt/, object (verb) /əbʤekt/.
Yoruba is a tonal language. There is a tone in every syllable in Yoruba language. The
tone of the syllable determines how it is pronounced and the meaning of the word.
Therefore, words with the same spelling can mean different things depending on the tone
on each syllable. Most second languange learner of Yoruba language that have master
spoken english will found the tonal ascept of the language quite challenging. The hearing
and appropriate reproduction of the tone in each syllable is very importance to speaking
and writing effectively. The tone of the syllable is represented by mark on the the vowels
and syllabic consonants.
The rules governing word order, formation of phrases and clauses differs in
English and Yoruba. The arrangement of noun and qualifiers have some differences
Ojo’s book -ìwé ojo - (book ojo)
My book -ìwé mí (book my)
In English language, time and aspect in tenses are reflected by the verbs itself
while in Yoruba Language, preverbial articles are used to indicate time and aspect in
tenses.

There are twenty five letters of the Yoruba alphabet, they are
A B D E Ẹ F G GB H I
J K L M N L O Ọ P R
S Ṣ T U W Y
a b d e ẹ f g gb h i
j k l m n l o ọ p r
s ṣ t u w y

There are 30 phonetic letters in Yoruba language is easier than English language
phonetic such that every letter has a unique pronunciation. Only letter 'n' and 'm' has

2
more than one sound, because they are syllabic nasal. Note 'm' mostly found in proper
noun and dialect.

Most of the consonant sound in Yoruba is the same as English consonant sounds. The
Yoruba language does not have the following consonant sound: the dental fricatives
/θ/, /ð/, voiced alveolar fricative/ᴢ/. The general Yoruba language does not havthe
voiceless palato-alveolar affricate sound /ʧ/ but it is found in some dialet like Ekiti
dialect, Onko dialect, Owo dialect and Ifon dialect; it is pronounced as found in English
language. There is no consonant cluster in Yoruba language syllabic structure unlike in
English language.

Phonetic letters in Yoruba language are:

Oral vowel sounds: [a], [e], [ɛ], [i], [o], [ɔ], [u],

Nasal vowel sound : [ã], [ɛ]̃ , [ĩ], [ɔ]̃ , [ũ],

Consonant sounds: [b], [d], [f], [g], [ɡ͡b], [h], [j], [k], [l], [m], [n], [ŋ] [k͡p], [r], [s],
[ṣ], [t], [w], and [j].

The Syllablic Structure of Yoruba Language

All syllable in Yoruba language end with a vowel or ‘n’. There is no close syllable in
Yoruba Language. Every syllable has at least one of the following tone: high tone (acute),
low (grave) and mid tone (no marked). A syllable containing a long vowel sound may
have more than one tone. For instances the word máa the first tone is high the second is
mid tone and are pronounced simutanously to give a long vowel sound.

Note: ‘Nn and Mm are syllabic consonants while ‘n ’ can stand alone as a word ‘m ’ do not
and is mostly found in proper noun .

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Hence all syllable in Yoruba language end with a vowel or ‘n’ except in some proper
nouns with 'm' as nasal vowel. There is no close syllable in Yoruba Language. Every
syllable has at least one of the following tone: high tone (acute), low (grave) and mid tone
(no marked). When there are two vowels in a syllable, they are pronounced
simultaneously. For instances the word máa the first tone is high the second is mid tone
and are pronounced simutanously.

There are three possible syllabic structure in Yoruba language they are:

Vowel alone: Ẹ (they) ; A (we), ó (she/he) Example: A ti ń lọ (We are going).

Syllabic nasal alone: ‘n’ and 'm', Example : N ò gbà – (I won’t agree.) Abimbola-
A/bi/m/bo/la/ (name of person), gbangba – gba/n/gba (open space)

consonant + vowel: máa (are), bá (meet), gbé (carry), ẹrù (load), ọ̀ hún (there), dé
(arrive), ọjà (market), wọn (they), although in ‘ọ̀hún’, ‘wọn’ it look like consonant +
vowel, + consonant but ‘ọn’ and ‘ún’ are nasal vowel so it is still consonant + vowel.

OHÙN (Tone)
There are three tones in Yoruba language. The tone is like rising and falling intonation.
They are:

Ohùn òkè (High tone ) is “do” represented by grave [ ̀ ] on the vowel and nasal
consonant.

Ohùn àáríń (Mid tone) is “re” has no mark on the vowel and nasal consonant.

Ohùn odò (Low tone) is “mi” is represented by acute [ ́ ] on the vowel and nasal
consonant.

Two word can have the same spelling but the tone on each syllable can give it different
meaning. Example : ìgbà (time), Igba (200), ìgbá ( fruit), Igbà (rope), Igbá (calabash).

4
 Common words in Yoruba

Álífábẹ́tì (alphabet)

Fáwẹ̀lì (vowel)

Kọ́ńsónántì (consonant)

Ìró óhùn (sounds)

Ààrẹ (president)
Igbákeji Ààrẹ (vice president)
Alakòóso (Commissioner)
Ajẹ́lẹ́ (administrator)
Alákòóso àgbà ( Minister)
Ọlọ́pàá / Agbófínró (Police)
Àlùfáà (Reverend)
Alukoro (Public relation officer)
Olùkọ́ (Teacher)
Aya {Mistress (mrs)
Ọ̀gbẹ́ni (Mr)
Akọ́ni (Tutor)
Olùkọ́ni (lecturer)
Àtẹgun (stairs) Kọ́kọ́rọ́ (key)
Ilẹ̀kùn (door) Òrùlé (roof)
Àjà (ceiling)
Òkè (upstair)
Ìsàlẹ̀ (downstairs)
Ibùsùn/ bẹ́ẹ̀di (bed)
Fèrèsè (windon)
Àpòtí (box)
Àpò (bag)
Kọ́bọ́ọ̀dù (cupboard)
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Kọ́bọ́ọ̀dù aṣọ (wardrobe)
Kọ́bọ́ọ̀dù oúnjẹ (pantry/ food shelf)
Àga (Chair)
Àga tìmùtìmù (cushioned chair)
Tábìlì (table)
Ìṣasùn (pot)
Ṣíbí (spoon)
Ọ̀bẹ (knife)
Abẹ̀bẹ̀ (fan)
Àtùpà (lantern)
Àgádágodo (Padlock)
Dígí (mirror)
Ife (cup)
Agboórún (umbrella)
Àmúga (scissors)
Àpótí (stool)
Àáké (axe)
Ẹ̀ rọ amúlètutù (air conditioner) Fíríìjì/ ẹ̀rọ amómi-tutù (refrigerator)
Name Of Some Plants
Ìrókò (Africa Teak ) Àtòrì (glyphaea lateriflọra)
Eéran (phrynuim / gigitaria) Àìedan (tetrapleura)
Àfòmọ́ (mistle toe) Ọ̀gán-ó (Benin mahogany)
Igi isin (akee apple tree) Gẹdú (mahogany)
Àràbà (white sílk cotton tree)
Igi apá (mahogany bean/ afzeti africana)

Name Of Some Domestic Animals

Ewúré (goat)
Ológbò (cat)
Ajá (dog)

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Ehoro (rabbit)
Emọ́ (guinea pig)
Eku (rat)
Màlúù (cow)
Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ (pig)
Àgbò (ram)
Àgùntàn (sheep)
Adìyẹ (fowl)
Pẹ́pẹ́yẹ (duck)
Tòlótòló (turkey)

Name Of Some Birds

Àwòdì ( wedge-tailed kite)
Àdàbà (dove)
Àsá (hawk)
Ídí (eagle)
Ówíwí (owl)
Lékeléke (cattle egret)
Odídẹrẹ́ (parrot)
Agbe (wood cock)
Àparò (patridge/ bush fowl)
Òrìrì (cockoo / wood dove)
Ẹyẹlé (pigeon)
Ẹ̀ gà (weaver bird)
Àlùkò (blue touraco)
Àkàlàmàgbò (ground hornbill)

Name Of Some Insects

Kòkòrò(insect)

Pantaji (praying mantis)

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Wúkùwúkù (caterpillar)
Ìdin (maggot)
Kúlúsọ (ant lion)
Ìrẹ̀ (cricket)
Ikán (termite)
Eèrà (ant)
Esinsin (housefly)
Ẹ̀ fọ́n (mosquito)
Labalábá (butterfly)

Name Of Some Sea Animals

Ẹja ( fish)
Ọ̀nì /erè (crocodile)
Edé (prawn /crayfish)
Kọ̀ǹkọ̀ (frog)
Ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ (toad)
Erinmi (hippopotamus)
Alákàn (crab)
Ìgbín (snail)

Name Of Some Wild Animals

Ẹkùn (tiger)
Akítì (baboo)
Òkété (giant rat)
Iro (gorilla)
Ẹfọ̀n (buffalo)
Ìkóokò (hyena)
Ajáko (jackal)
Erè (boa constrictor)
Etu (duicker/ antelope)
Erin (elephant)
8
Ìjàpá (tortoise)
Ọ̀kẹ̀rẹ́ (squrrel)
Ràkúnmí (camel)
Aláǹgbá (lizard)
Ejò (snake)
Ọ̀bọ (monkey)
Ọ̀gà (chameloon)
Egbin (antelope)
Kìnìún (lion)
Some other words
òórùn, ìfẹ́, ìbínú, ímọ̀, ìdùnnú, íbànùjẹ́, abbl.
èmi (I)

mi (me)

mó (I)

o (you)

ẹ (you)

ọ (you)

yin (you)

rẹ /ẹ (you)

ìwọ (you)

ẹ̀yin (you)

ó (he/she)

rẹ̀/ẹ̀ (he/she)

9
òun (him/her)

a (we)

wa (wẹ)

àwa (we)

àwọn (they)

Wọ́n (they)

wọn (them)

tèmi (mine)

tàwa/tiwa (ours)

tìwọ (yours)

tẹ̀yin (yours)

tìrẹ (yours)

tirẹ̀ (their)

tòun( his/hers)

tàwọn (their)

10
Kí (to greet)

jòkóó (to sit)

jẹ (to eat/to win)

jẹun ( eat)

kà (to read)

Ṣe (to do)

fẹ́ (to want)

wá (to come)

lọ (to go)

sùn (to sleep)

jó (to dance)

fò (to jump)

rà (to buy)

tà (to sell)

mu (to drink)

mú (to pick)

sè (to cook)

gba ( to give)

gbé (to carry)

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rìn (to walk)

fún (to give/for)

gbọ́dọ̀ (must)

jẹ́ (to be)

ní (to be/have)

kúnlẹ̀ (kneel down)

parí (to complete)

túmö sí ( translates to/means)

wí pé (said that)

fêràn (love)

gbàgbọ̀(to believe)

ná (to bargain/stretch/beat)

dé (to arrive)

jí (to wake up)

bẹ̀rẹ̀ (to start)

máa (will)

wà (to be)

ra (wear)

Days Of The Week

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Aìku (Sunday)

Ajé (Monday)

Iṣẹ́gùn (Tuesday)

Ọjọ́ rú (Wednesday)

Ọjọ́bọ (Thursday)

Ẹtì (Friday)

Àbámẹ́ta (Saturday)

Month in the year

Ṣẹẹrẹ (January)

Érèlé (Febuary)

Ẹrẹ́nà (March)

Igbe (April)

Èbìbí (May)

Ogúdù (June)

Agẹmọ (July)

Ògún (August)

Ọwẹ́wẹ̀ (September)

Ọ̀wàwà (October)

Beelu (November)
13
Ọ̀pẹ (December)

Ìkíni
Kú + àkókò nínú ọjọ́ (time of the day):
kú + àfẹ́mọ́júmọ́ (early morning 4am – 5 am), káàfẹ́mọ́júmọ́ (good morning)
kú + ìdájí (early morning before day break around 5 am – 6 am), kúùdájí (good morning)
kú + ojúmọ́ (early morning during day break around 6 am – 7 am), kú ojúmọ́ (good
morning)
kú + àárọ̀ (morning 6am – 10:59am) káàárọ̀ (good morning)
kú + ìyálẹ̀ta (after morning between 11am and 12 noon) kúyálẹ̀ta (good afternoon)
kú + ọ̀sán(afternoon 12pm -4 pm ) káàsán (good afternoon)
kú + ìròlẹ́ (evening 4pm – 6:59 pm ) kúùròlẹ́ (good evening)
kú + alẹ́ (evening 7pm – 11:59 pm) káalẹ́ (good evening)
kú + * àjìn (mid night ) káàjìn ( greeting for mid night, not a usually greeting)
kú + iṣẹ́ (work) kúuṣẹ́ (well-done for the work)
kú + ìjókòó (seated) kúùjókòó
kú + àbọ̀ (arrival) káàbọ̀ (welcome)
kú + ilé (home) kúulé (greeting those at home by the who is coming in)
kú + ìsinmi (resting) kúùsinmi
Ó dàbọ̀ (goodbye)
Ẹ Jọ̀ọ́ (Please)
Ẹ má bínú (sorry)
Ẹ ṣé (Thank you)
* òru – midnight while àjìn means dead hours of the night

ÒǸKÀ ( Numbers)
Yoruba number system have unique name for the following: (0 - 9), 10 (ẹẹ́wá), 20 (ogún),
30 (ọgbọ̀n), 200 (igba), 300 (ọọdúnrún), and 400 (irinwó). Other numbers are derived
through addition, subtraction and multiplication. For example
14
 11 oókànlá is oókàn(1) lé ní ẹẹ́wàá (10), lé ní ( plus i.e lateral transition 'is more than')
19 oókàndínlógún is oókàn(1) dín ní ógún(20) dín ní ( minus i.e lateral transition 'is less')
0 Òdo / òfo
½ Àbọ̀ = (half)
1 Oókan
2 Eéji
3 ẹẹ́ta
4 ẹẹ́rin
5 àrún
6 ẹ̀fà
7 èje
8 ẹ̀jọ
9 ẹ̀sán
10 ẹẹ́wá
11 oókànlá (10+ 1, oókàn le ni ẹẹ́wàá)
12 eéjìlá (10+2, eéjì le ni ẹẹ́wàá)
13 ẹẹ́tàlá (10+3, ẹẹ́tà le ni ẹẹ́wàá)
14 ẹẹ́rìnlá (10+4, ẹẹ́rìn le ni ẹẹ́wàá)
15 márùndínlógún (20-5, márùn dín ní ógún)
16 ẹẹ́rìndínlógún(20-6, ẹẹ́rìn dín ní ógún)
17 ẹẹ́tàdínlógún (20-3, ẹẹ́tà dín ní ógún )
18 eéjìdínlógún (20-2, eéjì dín ní ógún )
19 oókàndínlógún(20-1, oókàn dín ní ógún)
20 ogún
21 oókànlélógún (20 + 1, oókàn lé ní ógún)
22. eéjìlélógún (20 + 2, eéjì lé ní ógún)
23. ẹẹ́tàlélógún (20 + 3, ẹẹ́tà lé ní ógún)
24. ẹẹ̀rínlélógún (20 + 4 ẹẹ̀rín lé ní ógún)
25. aárùndínlọ́gbọ̀n (30 – 5, aárùn dín ní ọ́gbọ̀n)
26. Ẹẹ́rìndínlọ́gbọ̀n (30 – 4, ẹẹ́rìn dín ní ọ́gbọ̀n)

15
27. Ẹẹ́tàdínlọ́gbọ̀n (30 – 3, ẹẹ́tà dín ní ọ́gbọ̀n)
28. Eéjìdínlọ́gbọ̀n (30 – 2, eéjì dín ní ọ́gbọ̀n)
29. Oókàndínlọ́gbọ̀n (30 – 1, oókàn dín ní ọ́gbọ̀n)
30. Ọgbọ̀n
40. Ogójì (20 x2, Ogún méjì)
50. Àádọ́ta (20 X 3)-10, ẹ̀wá dín lọ́gọ́ta)
60 . Ọgọ̀ta (20 X 3, Ogún méta)
70 . Àádọ́rin (20 X 4 – 10, ẹ̀wá dín lọgọ́rin)
80 . Ọgọ́rin (20 X 4, Ogún mẹ́rin)
90. Àádọ́rùn-ún (20 X 5 – 10, ẹ̀wá dín lọgọ́rùn-ún)
100. Ọ̀gọ́rùn-ún (20 X 5, Ogún márùn-ún)
200. Igba
300. ọ̀ọ́dúnrún
400. erínwó
500. ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́gbẹ̀ta (200 X 3 – 10, ọgọ́rún dín ní igba mẹ̀ta)
600. ẹgbẹ̀ta (200 X 3, Igba mẹ́ta)
700. ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́gbẹ́rin (200 X 4 – 10, ọgọ́rún dín ní igba mẹ́rin)
800. ẹgbẹ̀rin (200 X 4, Igba mẹ́rin)
900. ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́gbẹ̀rún (200 X 4 – 10, ọgọ́rún dín ní igba márùn-ún)
1000. ẹgbẹ̀rún. (200 X 5, Igba márùn-ún)
2,000 ẹgbàwá / ẹgbàá (200 X 10, igba mẹwàá)
2,200 Ẹgbọkanla, ẹgboókànlá
2,400 Egbejila
2,500 Ẹgbẹtaladinlọgọrun
2,600 Ẹgbẹtala
2,800 Ẹgbẹrinla
3,000 Ẹgbẹ̀ta
4,000 Ẹ́ gbàajì
5,000 Ẹdẹgbata, ẹgbẹ́ẹdọ́gbọ̀n tàbí ẹgbẹdọgbọn
6,000 Ẹ̀ gbàata,

16
7,000 Ẹdẹgbarin, ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́ɡbẹ́rin
8,000 Ẹgbẹ́rin / ẹgbàárin
9,000 Ẹ̀ dẹ́gbàrùn / ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́ɡbàárùn
10,000 Ẹgbàrún/ ẹgbàárùn
20,000 Ẹgbàwá/ẹgbàawàá / ọ̀kẹ́ kán
100,000 Ọ̀kẹ́ márùn-ún /ẹgbàarùn-ún
200,000 Ọ̀kẹ́ mẹwa / ẹgbàawá
300,000 Ọ̀kẹ́ máadógún/ Ẹgbẹ̀rún lọna ọdunrun
400,000 Ọ̀kẹ́ ogún / ẹgbàawáméjì / Ẹgbẹrun lọna irinwo.
500,000 Ọ̀kẹ́ máadọ́gbọ̀n / ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́gbẹ̀ta Ẹgbẹ̀rún lọna ẹdẹgbẹta
600,000 Ọgbọ̀n ọ̀kẹ́ / Ẹgbẹ̀rún lọna ẹgbata
700,000 Àrùndínlógójì ọ̀kẹ́ / Ẹgbẹ̀rún lọna ẹdẹgbẹrin
800,000 Ogójì ọ̀kẹ́ / Ẹgbẹ̀rún lọna ẹgbẹrin
900,000 Àrùndínláadọ́rùn-ún ọ̀kẹ́ Ẹgbẹ̀rún lọna ẹdẹgbẹrun
1,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun/ àádọ́ta ọ̀kẹ́/ mílíọnù (Ẹgbẹ̀rún lọna ẹgbẹ̀rún)
2,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun meji / ọrún ọkẹ́
3,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun mẹta
4,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun mẹrin
5,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun marun
6,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun mẹfa
7,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun meje
8,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun mẹjọ
9,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun mẹsan
10,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun mẹwa
100,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun ọgọrun
200,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna igba
300,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna ọdunrun
400,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna irinwo
500,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna ẹdẹgbẹta
600,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna ẹgbẹta

17
700,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna ẹdẹgbẹrin
800,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna ẹgbẹrin
900,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna ẹdẹgbẹrun
1,000,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrún lọnà ẹgbẹgbẹrún tàbí bílíọnù
1,000,000,000,000 Ẹgbẹgbẹrun lọna ẹgbẹgbẹrun

Telling the Time

Wákàtí (Hour)
ìṣẹ́jú (Minutes)
Ku (to)
Kọjá (past)
8 O'clock: Ago mẹ́jọ
10 minutes past 8: Ago mẹ́jọ kọjá ìṣẹ́jú mẹ́wàá
Ó ti pẹ́ jù (It is too late)

Ó ti yá jù (It is too early)

8:30: Ago mẹ́jọ àbọ̀

10 minutes to 8: Ago mẹ́jọ ku ìṣẹ́jú mẹ́wàá
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Making simple sentences in Yoruba

Bísí din dòdò (Bisi fries plantain)
Bísí jẹ́ olùwà, din jẹ́ ọ̀rọ̀ ìṣe, dòdò nígbà tí jẹ́ àbọ̀
Olùwà lè jẹ́ ọ̀rọ̀ orúkọ, ọ̀rọ̀ arọ́pò orúkọ tàbí ọ̀rọ̀ arọ́pò afarajórúkọ. Àpẹẹrẹ
Bàbá mu omi (Father drinks water)
Ọmọ́táyọ̀ pa ẹ̀ja (Omotayo catches fish)
Ọlọ́ládé ra ẹran (Ololade buys meat).
Mò ń lọ (I am going)
Wá lọ wẹ̀ (Go and bath)

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Àmọ́ ṣá àwọn gbólóhùn kan lè jẹ́ olùwà àti ọ̀rọ̀ ìṣe tàbí ọ̀rọ̀ ìṣe àti àbọ̀. A tún lè rí
gbólóhùn ẹlẹ́yọ ọ̀rọ̀ kan. Àpẹẹrẹ
Ṣade rẹ́rìín (Ṣade laughs)
Ajá gbó (The Dog backs)
Ẹ jókòó (Sit down)
Àwa wá (we've come)
Mu omi (drink water)
Wọ aṣọ (dress up)
Ti lẹ̀kún (close the door)
Jáde! (go out)
Jòkó (sit down)
Sáré (run)
Mo sáré lọ sí ọjà (I quickly went to the market)
Jẹ́ ká máa lọ (let us go)
Mo fẹ́ ra ọṣẹ (I want to buy soap)
Ò

A kò gbọ́dọ̀ ṣe ọ̀lẹ (We must not be lazy)

A gbọ́dọ̀ ní Ìtẹ́lọ́rùn (We must be contented)
Ọlọ́run ọba gbà wá (Oh! God, save us!)
Àígbọ́ran kò sunwọ̀n (Disobdence is not good)
Gbadé lo sí ilé-ẹ̀kọ́ (Gbadé goes to school)
Múra síṣẹ́ ọ̀rẹ́ mi (Be diligent my friend)
Àjànàkú kì í rìnde ọ̀sán. (Criminals don’t move in the day.)
Ẹni a bí ì re kì í rìnru. (A responsible person doesn’t walk at night).
Awẹ́lẹ́wà obìnrin (A beautiful lady)
Ìgbakọ orogún mi dà? (Where is my mate’s serving plate?)
Ṣe ìyẹn ni òrùlé ilé náà? (Is it that the roof of the house?)
N ò jẹ (I’m not eating)
Mi ò bá wọn (I didn’t meet them)

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jẹ́ ká lọ (let us go)

sọ fún (to tell)

dá lórí (is about)

fún mi (give me)

gbọ́dọ̀ ri (must see)

Fún àpẹẹrẹ (for example)

Máa lọ (will go)

Iléeṣé rédíò (Radio station)

Iléeṣé tẹlifíṣàn.(Television station)

Iléeṣé atẹ̀wé ìròyìn (Newspaper House)

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REFERENCES
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Cambridge University Press
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Awobuluyi Ọladele (ed.) (2011). Yorùbá Metalanguage (Èdè-Ìperí Yorùbá). Volume II
University Press Ltd., Ibadan.
Awobùlúyí, O. (1978) ‘Essentials of Yoruba Grammar’, Oxford University Press Limited
Bámgbóṣé, A (1990) ‘Fonójì àti Gírámà Yorùbá’ Ibàdàn University press
Bamgboṣe, Ayọ (ed.) (2011). Yorùbá Metalanguage (Èdè-Ìperí Yorùbá). Volume I University
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Dáramọ́ lá, O àti Adébáyọ̀ , J (1970) ‘Àwọn Àṣà àti Òrìṣà Ilẹ̀ Yorùbá’ Ìbàdàn Oníbọn-òjé Press
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Emeka-Nwobia N. U. (2015)The Place of Indigenous Nigerian Languages in National
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1937963-02-6 Library of Congress Control Number: 2012943413
Francisco José. - English Yoruba Dictionary
Gbàdàmọ́ ṣí, M.K. (2001) ‘Atọ́ nà Èdè Yorùbá’ Ìbàdàn Musak Publisher
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Kirsten Malmkjær (edited) (2018) The Routledge Handbook of Translation Studies and
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www.oduduwaalphabetomniglot.com/writing/oduduwa visited 2/3/21

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