Ndeewo!
The first time I heard the question, ‘e ji Igbo eme gịnị?’ (meaning “of what significance is learning Igbo?”), I was taken aback. I had started teaching Igbo Language as a hobby, doing it for free.
Months later, in order to compensate for the time and effort I spent developing materials and pouring my heart into it, I put a price on the hobby.
Naturally, many of my learners stopped attending the sessions. Many stayed with me and still remain. It was on one of those occasions, whilst trying to convince a parent to let their child continue, that the audacious question was spat out:
“E ji Igbo nwa eme gịnị?”
I learned Igbo as a child. I just did. I had no choice in the matter. I was two. My grandmother, mama nnukwu, spoke Igbo to me and I picked it up and chewed it, swallowed it and after digesting it, I spat it out with so much gusto that my English Language today is mingled with Igbo.
Igbo m ji awa anya… (Igbo with which I am clever)
Igbo m ji akpa nkata… (Igbo with which I converse)
Igbo m ji akpata ego… (Igbo with which I earn)
Igbo m ji azụ ụmụ m… (Igbo with which I train my kids)
Igbo m ji etu ọnụ… (Igbo with which I brag)
Igbo m ji ekesa ozi omenaala anyị… (Igbo with which I tell of our culture)
Igbo m ji bụrụ mmadụ! (Igbo with which I am a person of honor)
I cannot remember life without Igbo; it has become a part of me and me of it. So when a question like ‘e ji Igbo eme gịnị?’ is asked, I can only respond by saying — what significance is it not?
In my case, learning Igbo was a privilege I received from birth — it has become my identity. To the parent that asked the question, I answered:
“This is your child’s opportunity to develop a relationship with their culture — first through language. It’ll help them develop their confidence. If you allow them to master the intricacies of learning a second language, especially a tonal one like Igbo, what challenge can they not overcome?”
Chetakwa na ezigbo akaọlụ na oke amamihe ka eji mara ndi Igbo. (Remember the Igbos have a reputation for good work and wisdom.)
Need I say more?