For many parents who belong to Diaspora populations around the world, keeping their culture alive for their children is of great concern. Even where there is a core desire to fit in, integrate, and contribute to the community within which one resides, parents still want their children to have pride in different aspects of their own backgrounds—this is often in the form of food, customs, dress, and language. Language, in particular, is very important, as it helps second-generationers connect with their wider family and identity. However, teaching children a language different from the one that is spoken around them can be quite a challenge, and many parents have had mixed success. One of my brothers, Michael Ipinyomi, in his attempt to address this common challenge, has developed many interesting solutions. These include a series of books and games. The first book is out now, and what follows is an interview between me and him on his motivations, process, results, and future projects. Enjoy!
What inspired you to write this particular book?
It was 2 things: first, my then 3-year-old son had started saying words in English and Yoruba, and we had access to lots of resources in English – books, TV, and toys – but none in Yoruba.
Second, when he started pronouncing the Yoruba words, because of the tone, he wasn’t getting them accurately. Yoruba is a tonal language, so wrong tones change the meaning of a word. I needed to create a resource to help him hear these differences and learn how to pronounce them since none really seemed to exist, and I also needed to make it useful enough for him. So, I bought a portfolio binder from Rymans and started making a version of this book, page by page.
What can you tell us about the book?
The book is 40 pages; the initial pages provide an introduction and guides for the older user to effectively use the book with their children. I expect children to just blaze past this section. Each page is dedicated to a letter and several pictures. It also contains a QR code for the user to scan for an audio playback of the correct pronunciation of each word on the page. So the parent who may also be learning can correctly guide the younger learner.
What was your writing process? How did you road test it?
The book was more engineered than written. Based on frequency of use, I developed a list of the highest-priority words and sounds and then picked words and pictures I thought would engage him but also provide the necessary training for those foundational sounds. I never considered publishing; I was just teaching my son. I developed and tested the book with my son page by page. Ditching things that didn’t work.
Typically when speaking to my son in Yoruba, I still used English nouns. My belief is that, in speaking, the syntax and auxiliary elements of a foreign language are more important to know than the vocabulary base, especially for a young user with basic needs.
So, for example, if at nursery he said a 5-word sentence in Yoruba, and all they heard was “water”, they would just provide him water. By using only nouns in the “language of the resident country”, he would always be able to get important information across somewhat. I’ll advise this approach for other parent-teachers as well.
However, I noted that nouns in another language were the easiest or most entertaining concept to learn, and they seemed to represent a different world to the child.
So within the book I have used commonly accessible nouns and verbs because they are the easiest to grasp and remember for practice. But outside use of the book, I’ll advise use of English nouns until the child chooses to replace the noun themselves.
What do you hope readers will take away from it?
Younger learners can engage, notice, and even learn the existence and nuance of another language. I believe the book will help older learners develop knowledge and confidence to correctly use and expand their vocabulary and speak more. But at the far end of the spectrum, those who themselves can’t speak Yoruba but want their child to learn it can take the journey with them.
How about parents that can speak Yoruba? Can older people learn from it too?
I think Yoruba-speaking parents can benefit from it too. The sheer volume of English (foreign) language content presented to the child can completely overshadow passive language learning efforts. This means that active teaching has to happen. Speaking and teaching are different skills, and teaching requires the correct tools to be effective. This book is a tool that lays that initial foundation. You can’t learn what you don’t hear.
What else do you plan to do and share on this journey?
A few projects are already scheduled.
First, a language-based game that is built around the words learnt from the book. Which is a natural progression for the learner, but in a different format. Targeting deliveries before Christmas.
A Duolingo-style mobile app to help adults to learn the Yoruba culture and language on the go.
The second book in the series.
How would you like readers to engage with your work?
Use the book and provide honest feedback. This will help the project as it progresses, as it is imperative that Book 2 must be perfectly designed to build on the foundation laid by Book 1.
Where can we buy the book and find you online?
Available on Amazon globally or on my website.
