CHIDỊNMA OR CHIDỊMMA: WHICH ONE IS SPELT CORRECTLY AND WHY?
Over the years, grammatical anomalies have been committed regarding ways to write some Igbo names or words. On social media, series of "nma" and "mma" challenge have taken place.
Many people opined that their dialect pronounce "nma", others said no, it's "mma". Some said "mma" means mother while "nma" means beauty. They're phonologically unexposed to know the importance of tone marking in Igbo heteronyms. Others say "mma" is knife while "nma" means beauty
Let me first initiate the idea that "nma" is anglicised form of mma which doesn't follow the phonotatic rules of the Igbo.
In Igbo language, "M" and "N" are consonants. But unique in a way. They are syllabic nasals. In Igbo phonotatic rule, there is no consonant cluster.
That is why Nsukka, Onitsha, Owerri are wrong. They are not Igbo. Instead the correct spellings are Nsụka, Ọnịcha and Owere.
But "M" and "N" can come together to form a meaningful word. This time, the repeated "M" or "N" is no longer a consonant cluster....
but as one stands for syllabic nasal (myiriụdaume), another one stands for consonant (mgbochiume) The first one can take tone mark but the second one cannot. Eg:
* "N" goes with "N" eg:
Nneka
Nnanna
Nnadị
Nnọrọ, etc
Another point that disproves "Nma" is that the place of articulation of "M"& "N" is not the same.
While "M" is a bilabial speech sound, "N" is produced when tongue rise to the hard palate and clench with upper teeth.
Though both are nasalized voiced sounds, that is why they're called syllabic nasals.
What we're discussing here is Igbo izugbe and rules of writing Igbo. You claiming Chidịmma is Chidịnma is failing the grammatical rules of word formation just as those writing Mmadụ as Nmadụ
The aforementioned points are the reasons "Nma" is wrong. Some say: "that's what I have been pronouncing". They'll tell you that "n" comes before "m".
Yes! Ihe ọjọọ gbaa afọ ọ bụrụ omenala. That you have been writing it that way for long doesn't make it right.
And some would ask: "who made the rules? Are they not Igbo like me?"
The same people are hypocritically hunting for new English grammar books to learn updates and ways to read and write well. They never questioned who made the English grammatical rules they obey.
The truth is, no one made any linguistic rule. Grammatical rules can be proven. From a nature of language, the rules are seen naturally. They're already in place before further study i.e. grammatical rules are formed following the nature of the language— Igbo language inclusive.
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Yes we had Nsibidi— a pictographic writing that can be likened to the Egyptian Hieroglyphics or the Chinese Cuneiform in character. Its origin was controversial. Some said Igbo, some said Ekoi.
The Europeans were fascinated too.
Many started researching on Nsibidi. It was like a universal written sign amongst the Igbo, Efik& beyond Cameroon.
Remember, Europeans wrongly asserted that west Africans, Igbo inclusive didn't invent handwriting— typical lie. We invented Nsibidi before they came. Correct this.
Some aspects of education in the Igbo language and culture came very close to the formal school system of the western world. Specific training in different spheres of life and trade such as farming, blacksmithing, carving, painting, pottery, medicine & home training.
This is what Basden, a white historian had to say about the Igbo nation in 1921:
" The Ibo nation ranks as one of the largest in the whole of Africa. Its numbers have been estimated as high as four, and never below three millions. The people occupy a very considerable area of
South-eastern corner of Nigeria and, of late years, their influence has extended farther a field. They are making a marked impression on the adjacent tribes, Efiks, Ibibios and others and, also, the distant cosmopolitan center such as Jos, Kano, and even Lagos.
Their readiness to travel and tenacity of purpose, especially when seeking for employment, have carried many of them far beyond their native environment. When aboard, they maintain close contact, cemented and sustained by a strong tribal bond of union.
I wrote this book when I was in JSS2. I think the condition of this country now is written here as someone was dethroned to enthrone somebody adjudged to be better but everything worsened.
I drew inspiration from what happened to my community Chief who was accused by a pastor...
He was a highly educated and a Noble man to the core. He was serving as a community Chief. His leadership was smooth& beautiful.
Returning from school that afternoon, there was chaos in the community. Everyone had gathered at the village square. He was evil, a killer they said.
"I am innocent", the man kept shouting and pleading for mercy. His children were disgraced. One of the sons trying to save his father was beaten up by the mob. The man and his wife were dragged left and right. He should be killed. He didn't deserve to live. He should die.
"Igbo people don't tolerate none Igbo, that's why they don't sell their lands to them"
This is a big lie. Stop this already. How many none Igbo are living in Igbo land and want to buy land, ndị Igbo refused?
If you can afford it, why not? The question is, can you afford it?
How many Nigerians are developing other regions like ndị Igbo? They come to your place, buy land, develop it for their and your economic interest. You don't give them free.
If you can do the same, come let me show you lands. I've many to show you in Igbo land. Buy them.
You haven't been to ala Igbo, you can't leave your comfort zone to explore other areas but behind your keyboard you're already screaming that Igbo don't sell their lands to non-Igbo. That is fallacy of hasty generalisation. Many who can afford the land have it in Igbo land.
Alert of a Missing Pastor: Pastor Ikenna Nnadi of Grace of God Mission International since 3rd February 2021 has been missing after going to meeting with other pastors. They all returned except him.They didn't contact the family but later said he drowned as they had accident. RT
Instead of doing something to find him, the Church has been on back and forth police case with the family via intimidation.
Read the full case on the SUN Newspaper by clicking on this link.
The family is asking the church to provide their brother even if he is dead, let them see his dead body and bury him.
The church worked with police to release the arrested so called boat driver & other pastors who attended the meeting, without the consent of the family.
"The Yorubas are the most hospitable people that's why many migrated to Lagos".
Those migrants in Lagos are they living for free? Are they not paying for rent or land?
Nobody is doing anyone favour. Govt caused it. The seaport
Making Lagos the economic hub, closing down other seaports is the reason many people migrated to Lagos.
Again, Lagos was once the capital territory. Most foreign companies are in Lagos. The govt ensured it's an economic hub. People migrate for an opportunity and for survival.
You buy land, Omor niile will still harass you, what a hospitality!
When people make it look like they are doing others favour for living in their land it gets me amused. Is it not one Nigeria again?
People migrate to different parts of the country, no one is doing them favour