Igbo-English Dictionary : A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Igbo Language, with an English-Igbo Index [Hardcover]

Professor Michael J. C. Echeruo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0300073070 | ISBN-13: 978-0300073072 | Edition: 1ST

This is the first comprehensive and authoritative dictionary of Igbo, the language of more than twenty million Nigerians. Prepared by a native speaker of Igbo, the dictionary focuses on words and phrases encountered in everyday life and in Igbo texts. The author includes words from all Igbo dialects and provides a convenient English index.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 1ST edition (November 10, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300073070
• ISBN-13: 978-0300073072
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #399,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > African > Instruction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A second step in a proverbaial 1000 miles journey, October 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Igbo-English Dictionary : A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Igbo Language, with an English-Igbo Index (Hardcover)

This is a commendable work. Igbo dictionaries no longer exist in the air. Now there is one to read and critique! However,there is no justification whatsoever for the author's introduction of a new orthography for the language. Tone marking was grossly neglected. If this dictionary is to be used by non-native speakers it has to be revised with tones adequately marked, and the alphabet made to conform with existing Igbo orthography. The author may take refuge in the fact that standardization wise the language appears to be in a state of flux. But, a dictionary is the proper avenue towards a standard. In that regard the dictionary falls a little short of expectation. Most of the entries are correctly translated into English, attesting to the authors sound command of both Igbo and English.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars off-base dictionary, February 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Igbo-English Dictionary : A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Igbo Language, with an English-Igbo Index (Hardcover)

Professor Echeruo knows too well that Igbo people live both in the eastern and mid-western parts of Nigeria. The map in the dictionary, while showing this fact, claimed that the Igbo live in eastern part of Nigeria. Also, Mike knows too well that the alphabet "c" does not exist in Igbo orthography. "Chi" is inseparable with the Igbo in philosophy and cosmology. Would Professor Echeruo wish that we begin to spell it "Ci"? I believe that the "dictionary" can be vastly improved with many omitted words and better production.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "ch" becomes "c", "k" becomes "c" dictionary, February 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Igbo-English Dictionary : A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Igbo Language, with an English-Igbo Index (Hardcover)

The excitement of having a dictionary authored by one of our respected scholars everporates as soon as one sees the "dictionary" itself. Pink cover, few pages, over two thirds of Igbo words ignored. Tiny lettesets, and the whole bit. Why?