From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Fears over the future of Igbo language have been substantially doused by the recent unveiling of a groundbreaking Igbo speech-to-text model by Google.
This came on the heels of a call to action by Nzuko Umunna, an Igbo think tank organization, to halt the rapid decline of the Igbo language, which they say is under serious threat.
IgboSpeech is an advanced Igbo speech-to-text model that automatically converts Igbo audio into Igbo text, no English! All one needs is to simply speak and the words would be transformed into written Igbo.
Innovator of the language technology milestone, Ijemma Onwuzulike, a software engineer at Google, who announced the creation of the first Igbo speech-to-text model known as IgboSpeech, disclosed that the Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) model is specifically designed for Igbo language, showcasing a Word Error Rate (WER) of 29.
Onwuzulike shared a preview of IgboSpeech on social media, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the way Igbo language is processed and understood by technology: “The first Igbo speech-to-text model is here!” she exclaimed in her announcement. She emphasized the team’s commitment to further refining the model and plans to release it alongside the Igbo Application Programming Interface (API).
Many Igbo groups, scholars and promoters of the language have continued to applaud the breakthrough, saying the development marks a significant step forward in the preservation and promotion of the Igbo language. They said it offers new opportunities for integration of the language into modern technology and digital platforms.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and various groups have raised concerns over the declining value of Igbo language and cultural heritage. Their worry was heightened by the prediction by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Advisory Committee on Language Pluralism and Multi-language Education that Igbo language and, by implication, culture, may be heading for extinction and subsumed by other stronger Nigerian languages by 2025.
With 2025 barely months away and the Igbo language is still there, experts insist that the Igbo language would not die. They, however, agree that something must be done to sustain the language.
The subject came to the fore at the third monthly Policy Dialogue of Nzuko Umunna held virtually, on the theme, “Igbo language, heritage, and ethics: issues, challenges, and prospects.”
The dialogue brought together stakeholders from diverse sectors, including academics, traditional leaders, policymakers and civil society organizations who deliberated on the alarming decline of Igbo language and cultural identity.
Ngozi Nnebedum of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, was the keynote speaker, while the special guest was celebrated Igbo language scholar, Prof. Anthony Ejiofor. The trio of Dame May Ikokwu, Emma Anyalogu and Ikechukwu Orji served as panellists.
Key issues highlighted included the severe neglect and rejection of the Igbo language, resulting in its dwindling use.
The dialogue traced the historical development of the written Igbo language from the Nsibidi era to the present day, emphasizing the need for its linguistic study, promotion and sustainability.
Participants stressed the vital role families, governments, schools, churches and social gatherings play in this endeavour.
In resolutions reached and signed by the president of the organisation, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, and executive secretary, Dr. Uju Agomoh, Nzuko Umunna urged parents to teach their children Igbo, give them Igbo names, and quit neglecting their cultural duties. Other resolutions included: “Prayers and church services should be conducted in Igbo across the South-East. Governments must establish committees to ensure the teaching of Igbo in all schools. Public debates, seminars and workshops titled “Save Our Heritage” should be organized.
“Igbo governors should address the public in Igbo, and central Igbo should be used in all gatherings. Scholarships and funds should support Igbo language researchers and students. Business enterprises, influencers and content creators should produce and advertise in Igbo language.
“A day should be set aside to celebrate Igbo language and culture, with cultural attire worn in schools and offices. Increased financial support for Nollywood to produce more Igbo movies and children’s programmes. Governments should support cultural centres displaying Igbo heritage and convert historic sites into tourist destinations.”
Nzuko Umunna further urged all stakeholders to collaborate in preserving the Igbo language, heritage and ethics.
Elsewhere, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ebonyi State has decried dying Igbo culture and tradition.
The organization said the people no longer respect elders nor value hard work and other virtues the Igbo were known for in ages past.
It further observed that the people have left their cultures and traditions and embraced foreign ones, which have affected their lives, especially the young ones. It then vowed that it would not sit down and continue to watch things go wrong in Igboland.
President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, Dr. Peter Mbam, stated this while briefing newsmen after he led his executives to visit schools across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state. He lamented that Igbo language was almost completely dead.
Mbam revealed that in some of the schools visited by the organization, students and pupils all failed Igbo subject in their examinations.
He called on parents to begin to teach their children Igbo culture and tradition to bring back the lost glory of Ndigbo.
Mbam praised Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru for setting out Wednesday as Igbo Day and Igbo speaking day, noting that it will go a long way in reviving Igbo culture and tradition: “We have missed our road in terms of Igbo culture and tradition.
“We the Igbo, we have left our tradition and we are doing a different thing. We no longer respect elders; we don’t value hard work. There is nothing Ndigbo were known for in the 60s and early 70s that is still happening and more importantly and more critically, Igbo language.
“We went to schools where the children could not speak Igbo language, we went to schools where all the students failed Igbo language exams.
“So, it is very horrible what is happening in Igbo land. Our fear is that by the time our own time is over, our children will not know anything about Igbo; our culture, our tradition, our language, the way we dress, the way we do things and others. We are not answering Igbo names again.
“We the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ebonyi State are happy to hear that Governor Francis Nwifuru recently approved every Wednesday as Igbo speaking day in our state. We are very glad about this and we thank our Governor for passing that resolution.”