Thinking about learning Yoruba? You’re not alone! With over 40 million Yoruba speakers worldwide, this language is considered one of Africa’s widely spoken languages.
But all things fascinating, what makes Yoruba fascinating is how a slight change in tone can shift the entire meaning of the word. That is why, before you explore this language further, you must learn the Yoruba alphabet.
Want to learn it the right way without going through tongue twisters? Let’s explore the alphabet in Yoruba together and make the world engaging.
What Is The Yoruba Alphabet?
The Yoruba alphabet is the writing system used for Yoruba, a language spoken in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria. But, you’ll also hear people speaking this language in Togo, Benin, the UK, the USA, and Brazil.
The modern writing system of Yoruba was standardized in the 19th century by Christian missionaries, particularly Samual Ajayi Crowther. Though it is based on Latin script, it is a more tonal language than English. Hence, its alphabet not only reflects the letters but also their pronunciation and pitch, too!
However, apart from being a reading and writing tool, the Yoruba alphabet is a vital link to cultural identity that must be preserved for the revival of indigenous African languages.
How Many Letters Are There In The Yoruba Alphabet?
The Yoruba alphabet consists of 25 letters: 7 vowels (non-nasal) and 18 consonants. Although based on the same Latin script as the English alphabet, it does not include certain letters, such as C, Q, V, X, and Z.
However, it features letters and two-letter combinations (digraphs) that represent the unique sounds of the language, such as Ẹ, Ọ, Ṣ, and Gb. Since Yoruba is highly phonetic, you’ll pronounce the words the way they are spelled.
| Letter | Name | Pronunciation | Yoruba example |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | A | “ah” as in “father | àpá (arm) |
| B | Bi | “b” as in “bat” | bità (shoe) |
| D | Di | “d” as in “dog” | dodo (fried plantain) |
| E | E | “eh” as in “bed” | ẹsẹ̀ (leg) |
| Ẹ | Ẹ | Deeper, more open “eh” as in “fish” | ẹja (fish) |
| F | Fi | “f” as in “fun” | fààji (fun) |
| G | Gi | “g” as in “go” | gba (to collect) |
| Gb | Gbi | Voiced “gb” sound deep in the throat | gbogbo (all) |
| H | Hi | “h” as in “hat” | hàn (to show) |
| I | I | “ee” as in “see” | ìyàwó (wife) |
| J | Ji | “j” as in “jump” | jẹun (eat) |
| K | Ki | “k” as in “kite” | kò (not) |
| L | Li | “l” as in “love” | lọ (go) |
| M | Mi | “m” as in “man” | máa (will) |
| N | Ni | “n” as in “no” | ní (have/in) |
| O | O | “oh” as in “note” | oirúkọ (name) |
| Ọ | Ọ | Deeper “aw” as in “ought” | ọjọ́ (day) |
| P | Pi | “p” as in “pen” | pàdé (meet) |
| R | Ri | “r” as in rolled, tapped “r” | rà (buy) |
| S | Si | “s” as in “sun” | sùn (sleep) |
| Ṣ | Shi | “sh” as in “shoe” | ṣọ́ọ̀ṣì (church) |
| T | Ti | “t” as in “top” | tí (that) |
| U | U | “oo” as in “boot” | Ẹ ṣéun (thank you) |
| W | Wi | “w” as in “water” | báwo (how) |
| Y | Yi | “y” as in “yes” | yara (room) |
Yoruba Vowels
Unlike other alphabet systems, vowels in the Yoruba alphabet are pronounced in two ways: oral and nasal. Oral vowels are made with just your mouth, while nasal vowels are sounds you make through your mouth and nose.
There are seven oral vowels in Yoruba: A, E, Ẹ, O, Ọ, and U.
Meanwhile, there are five nasal vowels in Yoruba: AN, IN, ẸN, ỌN, and UN. If you notice, they’re written with an “n” after the vowel. But you don’t say the “n” separately. Just let the sound come out of your nose.
| Yoruba Nasal Vowel | Yoruba Example | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| AN | sán | to pay |
| ẸN | jẹ́n | to allow |
Quick pro tips on Yoruba nasal vowels:
- You can’t start Yoruba words with nasal vowels.
- Don’t write the “n” again after “m” and “n” consonants
- Sounds like r, w, and y become nasal if it is followed by one of the nasal vowels.
Yoruba Consonants
Meanwhile, the Yoruba alphabet has 18 main consonants: B, D, F, G, GB, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, Ṣ, T, W, and Y.
There are some unique rules for using the consonants of this alphabet system:
Rule 1: Yoruba Words Always End In A Vowel
Yoruba consonants cannot stand alone. They always need to be paired with a vowel before they can form a word.
Rule 2: Consonant Clusters Are Not Allowed
In English, you can bring two consonants together (“bl,” “dr,” etc.) to make a new sound. However, that is not the case in Yoruba.
Example:
- Drum – dùrùmù
- Class – kíláàsì
Rule 3: Swap “M” And “N” In Names Without Changing Their Meanings
Both “M” and “N” are nasal consonants in the Yoruba language. This happens with regional variations or when speaking fast. Since your mouth is already in a similar position when pronouncing these consonants, it’s easier to swap them in flowing speech.
Hence, you can interchange these two letters in names without altering their meaning.
Example:
- Sour orange – Òróǹbó/Òròmbó
- Help me meet the crown/One who meets royalty – Bàntádé
Special Characters And Digraphs In The Yoruba Alphabet
The Yoruba alphabet includes three modified consonants and one digraph to accurately represent the unique sounds of the language. This way, anyone can know the difference between two words just by listening.
| Yoruba Character | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ẹ / ẹ | “eh” like in “net” | Ẹ̀kó (learning) |
| Ọ / ọ | “aw” like in “law” | Ọmọ (child) |
| Ṣ / ṣ | “sh” like in “shoe” | Ṣùgbọ́n (but) |
| Gb | Said together deep in the throat | Gbẹ̀sẹ̀ (debt) |
Tones In The Yoruba Alphabet
In English, tone expresses emphasis or emotion. But in Yoruba, the tone used in pronouncing a syllable changes the word’s meaning. Hence, you must listen carefully so you can distinguish what word is being said by the speakers.
There are three basic tones in Yoruba, with the sounds represented by marks:
| Tone | Mark | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| High tone | ´ | ó | he/she |
| Mid tone | . | ọ | they |
| Low tone | ` | ò | to (preposition) |
Take, for example, the syllable oko. This one word can have three different meanings just by changing its tone:
| Tone | Yoruba Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| High-low tone | Ókò | vehicle |
| Low-high tone | Òkò | hoe (farming tool) |
| Mid tone on both syllables | Ọkọ | husband |
How Do You Say “Alphabet” In Yoruba?
The word for “alphabet” in Yoruba is alufabeti (ah-loo-fah-beh-tee). It sounds quite similar to the English “alphabet,” except it’s pronounced with Yoruba-style pronunciation and vowel patterns.
Tips For Mastering The Yoruba Alphabet
Apart from the basic Yoruba greetings, beginners might find the Yoruba alphabet more challenging. But just like when learning the Latin alphabet, you can bring your learning up to speed with these few special tips:
- Start simple: The best way to build your fluency in the Yoruba language is to read and repeat everyday words like family terms, numbers, and greetings. This will help you be more familiar with changes in tone, improving your pronunciation.
- Go with minimal pairs first: Learning different Yoruba words in pairs can help you differentiate the distinct sounds between them. For example, you can start with ó and ò.
- Practice Yoruba in written form: Research has shown that writing reinforces visual memory. Whether you’re trying to differentiate between an open sound or a low tone in Yoruba, tracing the letters marking the correct tones over vowels can help. Plus, you get some spelling lessons on the side.
- Pay special attention to how the locals speak: The best way to sound like one of the Yoruba people is to listen to them. Aside from talking face-to-face, you can also watch YouTube videos or use learning apps like Ling to help you hear the sounds and tones in real conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Yoruba Alphabet
Is Yoruba Older Than English?
Yoruba is older than English, despite both languages having complex and debatable origins. Yoruba belongs to the Niger-Congo language family from the Sudan-Ethiopian region, which is about 8,000-10,000 years old. Modern English, on the other hand, is part of the Indo-European language family from the Caucasus, which developed around the 15th century. Thus, even if English is the dominant language globally, Yoruba has a much longer cultural and linguistic history.
Is Yoruba A Hard Language?
Depending on your background with language, Yoruba is challenging but manageable. Yoruba is a tonal language. Hence, you have to master the three tones (low, mid, and high tones) as one word can have different meanings just based on the tonality alone. Another is the presence of letters that aren’t part of the English alphabet, like Ọ, Ṣ, and the digraph Gb. But on the bright side, Yoruba grammar is simpler than that of German or French. With consistent practice and the right learning tools like Ling, you’ll pick up this interesting language.
Are Yoruba And Swahili The Same?
Swahili and Yoruba are completely different languages. Though they are both African languages under the Niger-Congo language family and share some cultural importance, they aren’t mutually intelligible. They have different vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Plus, Yoruba comes from the Yoruboid branch that is spoken in Nigeria, Togo, and Benin, while Swahili is widely spoken in East Africa and comes from the Bantu group.
Want To Start Strong? Begin With The Yoruba Alphabet!
Learning the Yoruba alphabet gives you a strong foundation on how to speak, read, and understand this vibrantly unique language. From its dot-under letters to the unique sounds, mastering these basics is a strong confidence booster for beginner learners.
With daily practice, it would only be a matter of time before you can speak proper Yoruba like how the locals do. And, if you need help with the practice, you can count on the Ling app to have your back!
Ling: The Easy Way To Speak Yoruba In 7 Days!
Ready to surprise your Nigerian friends and Yoruba people while traveling? Before starting with conversations, get regular practice with a learning companion in your pocket.
There are many language learning apps, but Ling is the best choice you’ve got! With over 200 bite-sized lessons, vocabulary builders (alphabet included), and grammar tips, you’re one step closer to fluency daily.
The best part? You can learn Yoruba and its culture at your own pace without losing a streak. Download the Ling app now and master the Yoruba language!
