The beginning Yoruba language course offered through the School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development of Wayne County Community College District held the first class on Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 10 a.m. To noon at the Northwest campus located at 8200 Outer Dr West, Detroit, MI 48219.

The 18 weeks class originated due to the collaborative efforts of the District Vice Chancellor of International Program and Global Partnerships of WCCCD Dr. Omobonike Odegbami and the leadership of Odu’a Organization of Michigan the Asiwaju Mr. Shola Salako and the Igbakeji Aare Mr. David Adetokunbo Williams. The Odu’a Organization of Michigan is a cultural non profit organization whose central mission is to share the Yoruba language and culture with the community.

The Professor for this beginning class is Elder, Adébóyè Adégbénró who was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Elder Adégbénró is a musician, illustrationist/cartoonist and well versed Yoruba language instructor.

The language class is a great opportunity for any one who has wanted to study an African language, particularly the Yoruba language.

Week 1: Summary of materials covered

Welcome ! Ẹ kú abọ̀ !

Topic: Introduction = Mọ̀ mí n mòẹ́

Greeting:
Ẹ kú Àárọ = Good Morning
Ẹ kú Àsán = Good Afternoon
Ẹ kú Alẹ́ = Good Night
Ẹ kú Irọlẹ́ = Good Evening

Alphabets:
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

Tones are as important as letters in Yoruba. The Yoruba language is consider a Niger Congo language family and is tonal with three contrastive level tones. It is very important to pronounce each word with the correct tones to avoid any misunderstanding or changing the meaning of the word.
These three levels of tone are:
High Tone, Low Tone, and Mid Tone

Replacing one tone with another can result in a change of meaning. For Example:

bí – high tone – to deliver a baby
bì – low tone – to throw up
bi – mid tone – to ask

The three levels of tone are best learnt by using the musical notes (do, re, mi).

DÒ RE MÍ
DÒ MI ṢỌ́ (Recommend)

Accent go right – High tone
Accent go left – Low tone
Neutral – middle or neural tone

ÒRÚ

KÚ
KÚN
AKÚ

IBADAN
ẹ̀bá ọ̀dàn

ORÚKỌ MI NI __________________
MY NAME IS ___________________