These series of posts will center around learning the Yoruba words, phrases and sentences you might come across if you visited a Yoruba speaking city or state (here Lagos). A sample conversation is available for download. We will be posting more conversations. Please leave comments on the blog post, and anything you would like to see or hear covered in this conversation.

You can also download the Yoruba alphabets by right clicking this link: A conversation in Yoruba(mp3)

Use the table below to follow the conversation:

Originally posted 2013-03-22 22:06:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ẹ wo àròkọ “Yí Yára bi Ojú-ọjọ́ ti nyí padà nitori Èérí Àyíká” lóri ayélujára ni ojú ewé yi: Check out the essay on “Effect of environmental pollution on rapid climate change” on our YouTube channel on the internet.

Originally posted 2019-01-21 17:55:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Obinrin ti ó́ nṣe Ì̀bà Aṣẹ̀dá – A woman paying reverence to the Creator. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ìbà Àkọ́dá, ìbà Aṣẹ̀dá
Ìbà ni n ó f’òní jú, mo r’íbà, k’íbà ṣẹ
Nínú ríríjẹ, nínú àìríjẹ
Mo wá gbégbá ọpẹ́, mo r’íbà k’íbà ṣẹ
Alápáńlá tó so’lé ayé ró
Ṣe àtúntò ayé mi
Ní gbogbo ọ̀nà tí mo ti k’etí ikún sí Ọ
Baba d’áríjì, mo bẹ̀bẹ̀
Odò Orisun Rẹ ni mí, máṣe jẹ́ n gbẹ

Ìbà! ìbà!!

Ọmọ ìkà ń d’àgbà, ọmọ ìkà ń gbèrú
Ọmọ ẹni ire a má a tọrọ jẹ
Ọmọ onínúure a má a pọ́njú
Bó ti wù Ọ ́lo ń ṣ’ọlá Rẹ
Ìṣe Rẹ, Ìwọ ló yé o; Ògo Rẹ, é dibàjẹ́
Àpáta ayérayé, mo sá di Ọ ́o
Yọ́yọ́ l’ẹnu ayé
Aráyé ń sọ Ọ ́sí láburú, aráyé ń sọ Ọ ́sí rere
Ọlọ́jọ́ ń ka’jọ́
Bó pẹ́, bó yá, ohun ayé á b’áyé lọ

Ìbà! ìbà!!

Ẹni iná ọ̀rẹ́ bá jó rí, bó bá ní’hun nínú kò ní lè rò
ọ̀rẹ́ gidi ń bẹ bíi ká f’ẹ́ni dé’nú
ọ̀rẹ́ ló ṣe’ni l’ọ́ṣẹ́ tó ku s’ára bí iṣu
Ìrètí nínú ènìyàn, irọ́ funfun gbáláhú!
ọ̀rẹ́ kan tí mo ní
Elédùmarè, Alágbára, ìbà Rẹ o Baba, Atóbijù!

Ìbà! ìbà!!

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Reverence to the First Being, reverence to the Creator
I will revere Him today; let my reverence be
In times of plenty, in times of scarcity
I come with a heart of thanksgiving; let my reverence be
The One Whose mighty hand holds the world sway
Order my life
In ways I’ve been disobedient to You
Father, forgive me, I pray
I’m the river that flows from Your Source; do not let me dry up

Reverence! Reverence!!

The wicked grow, the wicked prosper
The good beg for food
The kind suffer
You do as You please
Your mysterious ways are known only to You; Your glory never tarnishes
The Rock of Ages, I look to You
Man’s wagging tongue is never reliable
Man speaks ill of You; man speaks good of You
The One Who has the days keeps numbering them
Sooner or later, the things of the world will perish with the world

Reverence! Reverence!!

He who gets burnt by a friend’s fire of betrayal keeps what he has in his mind to himself
There is a true friend as such that loves you deeply
There is also such a friend that kills in betrayal
Hope entrusted in man is a blatant lie!
The One Friend I have
God, The Almighty, I reverence You; Father, You’re the Greatest!

Reverence! Reverence!!

*Culled from my song “ÌBÀ”.

Originally posted 2015-10-02 19:50:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ni ọjọ́ Ẹti, ọjọ́ karun ti a ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ ilé-iwé ni ọ̀sẹ̀, inú mi ma ń dùn nitori ilé-iwé ti pari ni agogo kan ọ̀sán, ti ìsimi bẹ̀rẹ̀.

Mo fẹ́ràn ìsimi ipari ọ̀sẹ̀ nitori mo ma nri àwọn òbí mi.  Lati ọjọ́ Ajé titi dé ọjọ́ Ẹti, mi o ki ri ìyá àti bàbá mi nitori súnkẹrẹ-fàkẹrẹ ọkọ̀ ni Èkó, wọn yio ti jade ni ilé ni kùtùkùtù òwúrọ̀ ki n tó ji, wọn yio pẹ́ wọlé lẹhin ti mo bá ti sùn.

Mo tún fẹ́ràn ìsimi ipari ọ̀sẹ̀ nitori mo ma ńsùn pẹ́, mo tún ma a ńri àyè wo eré lori amóhùn-máwòrán.  Ni àkókò ilé-iwé, mo ni lati ji ni agogo mẹfa òwúrọ̀ lati múra fún ọkọ̀ ilé-iwé ti yio gbé mi ni agogo meje òwúrọ̀.  Ṣùgbọ́n ní igbà ìsimi ipari ọ̀sẹ̀, mo lè sùn di agogo mẹjọ òwúrọ̀.  Ni ọjọ́ Àbámẹ́ta, ìyá mi ma nṣe oriṣiriṣi oúnjẹ ti ó dùn, mo tún ma njẹun púpọ̀.  Ni ọjọ́ Àikú (ọjọ́ ìsimi) bàbá mi ma ngbé wa lọ si ilé-ìjọ́sìn, lẹhin isin, a ma nlọ ki bàbá àti ìyá àgbà.  Bàbá àti ìyá àgbà dára púpọ̀.

Ni ọjọ́ Àikú ti ìsimi ti fẹ́ pari, inú mi ki i dùn nigbati òbí mi bá sọ wi pé mo ni lati tètè sùn lati palẹ̀mọ́ fún ilé-iwé ti ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ ni ọjọ́ Ajé.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

On Friday the fifth day of schooling, I am always very happy because school closes at one o’clock in the afternoon when the weekend begins.

I love the weekend break because I get to see my parents.  From Monday to Friday, I do not get to see my mother/mummy and father/daddy because in order to beat the Lagos traffic, they leave home for work before I wake up and return very late when I am asleep.

I also love the weekend break because I get to sleep longer and watch television too.  During the school day, I wake up at six o’clock in the morning to get ready for the school bus that picks me up at seven o’clock in the morning.  But during the weekend, I get to sleep till eight o’clock in the morning.  Mummy cooks different types of meal on Saturday and I get to eat more.  On Sunday, Daddy drives us to Church and after Church, we go to visit my grandparent.  Grandpa and grandma are very nice.

I am not usually happy when I am told by my parent to go to bed early on Sunday in order to get ready for school on Monday.

Originally posted 2018-07-06 01:10:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ẹlẹkọ-ìjìnlẹ̀ ṣe àkiyesi pe enia ndá kún yí yára bi ojú-ọjọ́ ti nyi padà nitori èérí-àyíká.  Ojú-ọjọ́ ti nyí padà lati ìgbà ti aláyé ti dá ayé, ṣùgbọ́n àyípadà ojú-ọjọ́ ni ayé òde òní yára ju ti ìgbà àtijọ́ lọ.

Yorùbá sọ wi pé “Ogun à sọ tẹ́lẹ̀, ki i pa arọ tó bá gbọ́n”. Àsìkò tó lati fi etí si ìkìlọ̀ Ẹlẹkọ-ìjìnlẹ̀ lóri yí yára bi ojú-ọjọ́ ti nyi padà. Àwọn Ẹlẹkọ-ìjìnlẹ̀ ńké ìbòsí nipa ohun ti èérí àyíká ndá kún gbi gbóná àgbáyé àti ki ènìyàn ṣe àtúnṣe, lati din ìgbóná kù. Ìgbà gbogbo ni àwọn Ẹlẹkọ-ìjìnlẹ̀ Àyíká nṣe àlàyé yi ni Àjọ Ìfohùnṣọ̀kan Ìpínlẹ̀ Àgbáyé.

Lára ohun ti o ndá kún èérí àyíká, Ẹlẹkọ-ìjìnlẹ̀ tọ́ka si ọkọ̀, ẹ̀rọ mọ̀nà-mọ́ná, ẹ̀rọ-ilé-iṣẹ́, ṣ̀ugbọ́n èyí ti ó burú jù ni àwọn ohun ti wọ́n fi ike ṣe bi i: igò-ike, àpò-ike, ọ̀rá-ike, ike-ìṣeré àti bẹ́ ẹ̀ bẹ́ ẹ̀ lọ gẹ́gẹ́ bi ohun ti o ndá kún yi yára bi ojú-ọjọ́ ti nyi padà.

Lára ohun ti o ndá kún èérí àyíká – Factors contributing to Environmental Pollution Courtesy@theyorubablog

Ewé, ìwé tàbi páálí ti a kó sọnù, wúlò fún àyiká ju ọ̀rá ati ike igbàlódé lọ.  Bi wọ́n bá da àwọn ohun ti wọ́n fi ike ṣe dànù si ààtàn tàbi si odò, ki i jẹrà bi ewé. Bi wọn da ewé si ilẹ́, yio da ilẹ́ padà lai ni ewu fún ekòló, igbin àti àwọn kòkòrò kékeré yókù. Bi wọn da ewé, ìwé tàbi páálí si inú omi/odò, kò léwu fún ẹja àti ohun ẹlẹmi inú omi/odò, bi ti ọ̀rá àti ike igbàlódé to léwu fún ẹja àti ẹranko inú odò.

Àwọn ohun ti a lè ṣe lati fi etí si ìkìlọ̀ àwọn Ẹlẹkọ-ìjìnlẹ̀, ni ki a din li lo ọ̀rá ike àti ohun ti a fi ike ṣe kù bi a kò bá lè da dúró pátápátá.  Ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ orílẹ̀-èdè ni ìlú Òyìnbó ló ti ṣe òfin lati din li lò ike kù, àwọn miran ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si gba owó fún àpò-ike ni ọjá lati jẹ́ ki àwọn enia lo àpò àlòtúnlò.  Bi ó bá ṣe kókó ki á pọ́n oúnjẹ, a lè lo ewé fi pọ́n,  jú ọ̀rá tàbi ike lọ.  Ki a fi páálí tàbi apẹ̀rẹ̀ ọparun kó ẹrù, lo àpò àlòtúnlò lati ra ọjà, ka lo ìkòkò alámọ̀ lati ṣe oúnjẹ tàbi tọ́jú oúnjẹ kó lè gbóná, àti ki a din li lo ike kù yio din yi yára bi ojú-ọjọ́ ti nyí padà kù.

Lára àtúnṣe ti ìjọba lè ṣe, ni ki òṣè̀lú ṣe òfin lati din èérí kù, ìpèsè ilé iṣẹ́ ti ó lè sọ àwọn ohun ti a fi ike ṣe di àlòtúnlò àti ki kó ẹ̀gbin ni àsìkò.

Ohun ti gbogbo ará ilu,́ pàtàki àwọn ọ̀dọ́ tún lè ṣe, ni ṣi ṣa ọ̀rá tàbi ike omi àti ohun ti wọn fi ike ṣe, ti o ti dá èérí rẹpẹtẹ si inú odò àti àyíká kúrò.  Gbi gbin igi àti ṣe ètò fún àyè ti omi lè wọ́ si ni ìgbà òjò na a yio din ìgbóná àgbáyé kù.

http://www.theyorubablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Voice_190114_2-1.3gp

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Scientists observed that human activities are contributing to the rapid change of environment as a result of environmental pollution.  From time immemorial, climate had always changed but the change in recent years has been more rapid than usual. 

According to a Yoruba adage “a forewarn war does not kill a wise cripple”. It is time to heed the warnings on rapid climate change by Scientists. Scientist are sounding the alarm on the effect of environmental pollution on global warming and the need for human being to rectify the situation.  The Environmental Scientist have been making presentation on climate change at the United Nations for sometime now.

Some of the factors contributing to environmental pollution are vehicles/automobile, electric generators, factory machines, but Scientist specifically pointed out among other things plastic or petrochemical products such as plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic wraps, plastic toys etc as a major contributor to rapid climate change.

Leaf wrap, paper or cardboard boxes are more environmentally friendly unlike the plastic products that are used in modern time.  Unlike plastic products, when leaf, paper or cardboard box are dumped on dumpsite, it decomposes without causing any danger to earthworm, snail and other small insects. Likewise, when various leaf wrap, paper or cardboard are dumped into the river/sea, it poses no danger like plastic products that are dangerous to fish and other sea creatures.

If the use of petrochemical products cannot be totally eradicated, some actions can be taken to address the warning by Scientist, to reduce drastically the use of plastic products such as plastic wrap/bags. Many European countries have enacted laws on the reduction of the use of plastic products, while some introduced tax on plastic bags in order to encourage the use of re-usable bags.  If it is important to wrap food, leaf wrap should be used in place of plastic wrap.  The use of re-usable bags should be encouraged, using bamboo basket, clay pots to cook and keep food warm and reducing the use of plastic products will contribute to reducing rapid climate change.

Some actions that can be taken by the government are, enacting laws that could reduce environmental pollution, creation of waste/garbage recycling plants to process plastic waste for reuse and timely waste/garbage disposal.

The people, particularly the youths should embark on clearing the plastic waste that has polluted the river and the environment.  Planting of trees and creation of excess rain water collection pit in form of artificial lake could reduce the effect of global warming.

Originally posted 2019-01-15 00:58:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Orúkọ Ọjọ́ni èdè Yorùbá                 Days of the Week In English

Àìkú/Ọjọ́ Ọ̀sẹ̀/Ìsimi                            – Sunday

Ajé                                                      – Monday

Ìṣẹ́gun                                                – Tuesday

Ọjọ́rú                                                 – Wednesday

Ọjọ́bọ̀                                                – Thursday

Ẹti                                                      – Friday

Àbámẹ́ta                                            – Saturday

Originally posted 2014-07-29 20:31:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Yorùbá ni bi wọn ti ma a nka nkàn ki wọ́n tó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ka a ni èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì.  Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò kíkà ni èdè Yorùbá ni ojú ewé yi:

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Counting or numbers in Yoruba before the introduction of counting in English.  Check out counting or numbers’ pronunciation on this page.

Originally posted 2016-03-18 01:15:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“ABD”, ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ iwé kikà ni èdè Yorùbá – Yoruba Alphabets “ABD” is the beginning of Yoruba education.

Bi ọmọdé bá bẹrẹ ilé-iwé alakọbẹrẹ, èdè Yorùbá ni wọn fi nkọ ọmọ ni ilé-iwé lati iwé kini dé iwé kẹta.  Ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ àti mọ̃ kọ, mọ̃ ka ni èdè Yorùbá bẹ̀rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ki kọ àti pipe ABD.  Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò kikọ àti kikà ABD pẹ̀lú àwòrán ni ojú iwé yi.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

When children are enrolled for primary education, they are taught in Yoruba language from Primary one to three.  Learning how to write or read Yoruba language begins with writing and pronouncing ABD (Yoruba Alphabets).  Check out writing and pronouncing Yoruba Alphabets – ABD with picture illustration on this page.

Learn the Yoruba alphabets with illustrations and pronunciation.

EBENEZER OBEY – ABD Olowe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANUAiBkIAq4

Originally posted 2014-05-01 16:30:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Originally posted 2013-05-07 23:58:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

A B D E Ẹ F G GB H I J K L M N O Ọ P R S Ṣ T U W Y

You can also download the Yoruba alphabets by right clicking this link: A B D – audio file Yoruba alphabets recited (mp3)

You can also download the Yoruba alphabets by right clicking this link: audio file Yoruba alphabets recited with examples in Yoruba and English (mp3)

Originally posted 2016-05-31 18:43:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Bi ó ti ẹ̀ jẹ́ pé a ti kọ nipa orúkọ àti àwòrán ẹranko ni àwọn ìwé ti a ti kọ sẹhin, ṣùgbọ́n Yorùbá ni “Ọgbọ́n ki i tán”, nitori eyi, a ṣe àtúnṣe gẹ́gẹ́ bi “Ọ̀jọ̀gbọ́n Èdè Yorùbá” ti tọka.  Fún ìrànlọ́wọ́ àwọn ti kò gbọ́ èdè Yorùbá, a fi pipè orúkọ ẹranko pẹ̀lú àwòrán si ojú ìwé yi Apá Kini àti Apá Keji.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Though we have written about names and pictures of Animals in Yoruba in the past article but according to Yoruba adage meaning “Knowledge has no end”, we included corrections as pointed out by a “Professor of Yoruba Language”.  For the assistance of non-Yoruba speakers but who are curious, we have included the pronunciation in picture slides in Part 1.

Originally posted 2015-04-24 12:40:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ni àtijọ́, àwọn ọmọ ilé-iwé ló ńran àgbàlagbà ti kò lọ ilé-iwé lọ́wọ́ lati kọ iwé, pataki ni èdè abínibí.  Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àwọn iwé-àkọ-ránṣẹ́ wọnyi ni ojú iwé yi:

Ìwé ti Ìyá kọ sí ọmọ

Èsì iwé ti ọmọ kọ si iyá

Iwé ti ọkọ kọ si iyàwó

Èsi iwé ti aya kọ si ọkọ

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

In the olden days, school children often helped the elderly who were not literate to write letters particularly in the ethnic language.  See samples of letters written in Yoruba below:

Letter from mother to child

20 Afunbiowo Street                                                                                 Akure

20 February, 1969

My dearest child,

Hope you are well as I am here?  Your Father and your younger ones are fine.  Hope your studies are going on fine?

My child “Akanki” do not forget your home.  You will not disappear in your land of sojourn (Amen).  Face your studies.  You will bring in your harvest home.

Extend greetings to your friends.  We shall be expecting your response.

May our meeting be as sweet as honey.

Yours truly,                                                                                                                                         Your mother – Wale’s mother.

Child’s response to mother

Room 24                                                                                                        Fagunwa Hall                                                                                               University of Lagos                                                                                    Akoka, Lagos

March 13, 1969

My Dearest Mother,

How are you and my father?  How is everyone at home?

I am very glad to inform you that I got to my School safely, my studies are going on fine.  School is good, we are fed thrice daily, a big ocean is near our School.  I met one our town’s man whose name is Kayode – from Aro’s family compound.  He has helped me a lot to settle down in School.

I promise you and my father that I will not forget home.

Extend my special greetings to my younger ones ant to my brother Wale too.  Also extend my greetings to my father and everyone at home.

We shall meet joyfully.

Yours truly,                                                                                            Your Son Ibukunolu

Husband’s letter to wife

12 Onabola Street                                                                                       Somolu, Lagos

12 October, 1978

My Dearest wife,

Hope you are well as I am here?  How are my children?  Hope their school is going on well?

I am glad to write you this letter, because I have been allocated an official car and I have secured an accommodation too.  As a result, I will be sending for you all soon.

My love, hope the children are not stressing you?  Tell Aduke that I love her dearly, if I see anyone coming home, I will send her toys.

Take care of the children very well.  Extend my greetings to your mother and my father too.  Greetings to everyone at home.

We shall meet joyfully very soon because I am eager to see my special wife and the children

Goodbye, we meet with happiness.

Your husband truly,                                                                                   Segun’s father

Wife’s response letter to husband in Yoruba

Ajamajebi’s ompound,                                                                              Ilorin

16-11-78

My true husband,

I am glad to receive your letter.  We are all fine.  The children are doing well at School.

I am also glad to hear the joyful news that you have been allocated a car in your office and also that you have found an accommodation.  By God’s grace, you will not record an accident with the vehicle.

The children are not giving me too much trouble but Aduke has been asking of her father always.

People at home are all fine.

We shall be getting ready because once the children begins their holiday we would love to join you in Lagos.

My mother sent her greetings.  Father is a bit ill but he getting better little by little.  Greetings from everyone at home.

I am eagerly looking forward to see my husband.

Do take care at work.  We shall with joyfully.

Yours truly,                                                                                                                                         Your wife Ibadi-ileke

Originally posted 2014-03-11 01:14:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Originally posted 2018-03-22 01:59:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Idi ti a fi bẹ̀rẹ̀ si kọ iwé ni èdè Yorùbá lóri ayélujára ni lati jẹ́ ki ẹnikẹ́ni ti ó fẹ́ mọ̀ nipa èdè àti àṣà Yorùbá ri ìrànlọ́wọ́ lóri ayélujára.

A ò bẹ̀rẹ̀ si kọ àwọn àròkọ ni èdè Yorùbá lati ran àwọn ọmọ ilé-iwé lọ́wọ́ nipa ki kọ àpẹrẹ oriṣiriṣi àròkọ ni èdè Yorùbá àti itumọ̀ rẹ ni èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́si.  A o si tún ka a ni èdè Yorùbá fún ìrànlọ́wọ́ ẹni ti ó fẹ mọ bi ohun ti lè ka a, ṣùgbọ́n kò wà fún àdàkọ.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Why The Yoruba Blog is creating a category for Essay in Yoruba language on the internet is to make available on line such resources for those who may be interested.

We shall begin to publish various samples of essay in Yoruba language in order to assist students, interpreted the essay as well as an audio recording of the essay in Yoruba, however, it is not to be copied.

Originally posted 2018-06-15 19:19:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Gẹgẹbi àpè júwe, ẹranko a fàyà fà jẹ ẹranko ti ó ni àwọ̀, omiran ni oro, omiran ni ikarawun, wọn si ńyé ẹyin.  Bi Ejò, àti Ákẽke ti ni oró bẹ̃ ni Àjàpá  àti Ìgbín ni ikarawun. Fún àpẹrẹ irú àwọn ẹran wọnyi ni: Ejò, Àjàpá, Alangba àti bẹ̃bẹ̃ lọ.  Ẹ wo àwòrán àti pipe irú àwọn ẹranko wọnyi ni ojú ewé yi.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

According to the description, reptiles are animals with skin, some are poisonous, while some have shell and lay eggs.  As snake and scorpion are poisonous so also are the tortoise and snail have shell.  For example: Snakes, Tortoise, lizard etc.  Check out the pictures and pronunciation of these reptiles in the slides below.

Ẹranko a fàyà fà tabi jomijòkè – Reptiles

Originally posted 2013-12-27 00:26:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ọ̀rọ̀-orin yi jẹ ikan ninú àwọn àkọ́-sórí ni ilé-ìwé alakọbẹrẹ ni ilẹ̀ Yorùbá ni igbà ti ile-iwe àpapọ̀ yè koro.  Ṣùgbọ́n ni ayé òde òni, ti gbogbo ilé-ìwé ti kọ èdè abínibí silẹ̀, ọ̀rọ̀-orin ti kò ni ìtumọ̀ ni àṣà àti èdè Yorùbá ni àwọn ọmọ ilé-ìwé ńkà.  Tàbi bawo ni “afárá tó wó lulẹ̀ ni ìlú-ọba” ṣe kan ọmọ ti kò ri iná, omi mímọ́ mu, ọ̀nà gidi, ilé-ìwé ti idaji rẹ ti wó, tàbi ti kò ri afárá ri ni abúlé rẹ̀, ti jẹ́?  A dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ àwọn aṣòfin àti Gómìnà ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó ti ó ṣe òfin ki wọn bẹ̀rẹ̀ si kọ́ èdè àti àṣà Yorùbá ni gbogbo ilé-ìwé pátápátá.  A lérò wi pé eleyi yi o jẹ́ ki àwọn olùkọ́ àti ọmọ ilé-ìwé bẹ̀rẹ̀ si kọ́ ọ̀rọ̀-orin tàbi àkọ́-sórí ti ó mú ọgbọ́n dáni.  Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò ki kọ àti ki kà  ọ̀rọ̀-orin yi.

Tọ́jú ìwà rẹ, ọ̀rẹ́ mi;
Ọlá a má ṣi lọ n’ilé ẹni’
Ẹwà a si ma ṣi l’ára ènìà

Olówó òní ńd’olòṣì b’ó d’ọ̀la
Òkun l’ọlá; òkun n’igbi ọrọ̀
Gbogbo wọn ló ńṣí lọ n’ilé ẹni;
Ṣùgbọ́n ìwà̀ ni mbá ni dé sare’e
Owó kò jẹ́ nkan fún ni,
Ìwà l’ẹwà ọmọ ènìà.

Bi o lówó bi o kò n’íwà ńkọ́?
Tani jẹ f’inú tán ẹ bá ṣ’ohun rere?
Tàbi ki o jẹ́ obìnrin rọ̀gbọ̀dọ́;
Ti o bá jìnà s’ìwà ti ẹ̀dá ńfẹ́,
Tani jẹ́ fẹ́ ọ s’ílé bi aya?
Tàbi ki o jẹ oníjìbìtì ènìà;
Bi o tilẹ̀ mọ ìwé àmọ̀dájú,
Tani jẹ́ gbé’ṣé ajé fún ọ ṣe?

Tọ́jú ìwà rẹ, ọ̀rẹ́ mi,
Ìwà kò sí, ẹ̀kọ́ dègbé;
Gbogbo ayé ni ‘nfẹ́ ‘ni t’ó jẹ́ rere.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

This is one of the poems memorised by primary school pupils when there was quality public education.  But nowadays, when schools have abandoned mother tongue, children are now taught meaningless foreign poems.  Or how relevant is the poem about “London Bridge falling down” to a child who has no access to electricity/power, clean potable water, good road, dilapidated classrooms, or has never seen a bridge in her little village?  Kudos to the Lagos House of Assembly and the Governor for legislating a law making the teaching and learning of Yoruba language and culture compulsory in all Lagos schools.  It is hoped that this effort by Lagos State will encourage both the teachers and pupils to return to learning poems that are relevant and sensible poems.  See below the words and recital of the poem.

Care about your character, my friend;
Wealth do depart from one’s lineage
Beauty do fade from people

A rich man today could end up in poverty tomorrow,
Riches is like ocean, ocean is like the depth of wealth
All do depart from lineage
But only character follows one to the grave
Money is nothing
Character is the beauty of a person

What if you are rich without any moral principle?
Who will confide in you for a worthy cause?
Or if you are a woman of paragon beauty;
Yet far away from people’s expected moral standard,
Who will marry such as a wife?
Or if you are a con-artist;
Even when you are highly educated,
Who will entrust you with business?

Care about your character, my friend,
In the absence of character, education is futile,
Everyone loves a person with good character.

Originally posted 2018-08-10 02:12:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

You can also download the Parts of the body in Yoruba by right clicking this link: Parts of the body in Yoruba – head to neck (mp3)

Originally posted 2015-11-13 10:53:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Kòkòrò jẹ́ ohun ẹ̀dá kékeré tó ni ìyẹ́, ti ó lè fò, òmíràn kò ni iyẹ́, ṣugbọn wọn ni ẹsẹ̀ mẹfa.  Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àpẹrẹ, àwòrán àti pi pè ni ojú ewé wọnyi.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Insects & Bugs are small creatures, many of them have feathers, some have no feathers, but they have six legs.  Check out the examples in the pictures and the pronunciation on the slides below:

Originally posted 2014-01-29 01:18:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ni ayé àtijọ́ ẹsẹ̀ ni gbogbo èrò ma nlo lati rin lati ìlú kan si keji nigbati ọkọ̀ ìgbà̀lódé kò ti wọpọ.  Ilé Ọba àti Ìjòyè ni a ti le ri ẹṣin nitori ẹṣin kò lè rin ninu igbó kìjikìji ti o yi ilẹ̀ Yorùbá ká. Ọrọ Yorùbá ayé òde òní ni “Ẹsẹ̀ yá ju mọ́tọ̀ (ọkọ̀) ara lo nfàbọ̀ si”.  Ọ̀rọ̀ yi bá àwọn èrò ayé àtijọ́ mu nitori  ìrìn-àjò ti wọn fi ẹsẹ̀ rin fún ọgbọ̀n ọjọ́, ko ju bi wákà̀̀tí mẹ́fà lọ fún ọkọ ilẹ̀ tàbi ogoji ìṣẹ́jú fún ọkọ̀-òfúrufú.

Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àwọn ohun ìrìnsẹ̀ ayé àtijọ́ àti ayé òde òní ni èdè Yorùbá, ohun àti àwòrán ti ó wà ni ojú ewé yi.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

In the olden days, people move about by walking from one place to the other, this was before the advent of the modern means of transportation.  Horses were only found in the Kings and Chief’s house due to the ecology of the Yoruba region which is surrounded by thick forest.  According to the modern Yoruba adage “Legs are faster than vehicle wears the body out”.  This can be applied to the ancient people because the journey that they had to walk for thirty (30) days is not more than six (6) hours journey in a car or forty (40) minutes by air.

View the slide below on this page for the Yoruba names of means of travelling in the olden and modern times:

OHUN ÌRÌNÀJO – Means of Transport Slides

Originally posted 2013-08-02 17:36:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Àmì – ṣe pàtàkì ni èdè Yorùbá nitori lai si àmì, àṣìwí tàbi àṣìsọ á pọ̀.  Ọ̀rọ̀ kan ni èdè Yorùbá lè ni itumọ rẹpẹtẹ, lai si àmì yio ṣòro lati mọ ìyàtọ.  Àmì jẹ ki èdè Yorùbá rọrùn lati ka.

Èdè Yorùbá dùn bi orin.   Àwọn àmì mẹta wọnyi  – ̀ – do, re, ́ – mi, (ko si ~ – àmì fàágùn mọ).  Ori àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ ti a lè fi àmì si – A a, Ee, Ẹẹ, Ii, Oo, Ọọ, Uu.   Ọ̀rọ̀ “i” kò ni àṣìpè nitori èyi a lè ma fi àmì si ni igbà miràn.

À̀pẹrẹ pọ, ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àpẹrẹ li lo àmì lóri àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ wọnyi:

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Accent signs on words are very important in Yoruba language, because without it, there would be many mis-pronunciation.  The same word in Yoruba language could have several meaning and knowing the difference could be difficult without the accent sign.  Accent sign on words makes reading Yoruba easier.

Yoruba language is as sweet as singing.  The three accent signs sounding as “two signs and one flat” (word-elongation sign has been eradicated).  Accent signs can only be applied to these vowels a e, I,o,u.  Sometimes accent sign is not applied on letter “I” because the prononciation is constant.

There are many examples, check out some of these examples in Alphabetical order:

Originally posted 2019-02-10 03:12:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter