YORUBA

Why Study Yoruba?

Yorùbá is one of the three major languages in Nigeria. There are over forty million speakers of the language in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. Yorùbá has over twenty dialects like Ìbàdàn, Ìjẹ̀ṣà, Èkìtì, Òǹdó, etc. which show phonological and lexical differences, and are all spoken in Nigeria. Some variations of Yorùbá are spoken in the Republic of Benin and some parts of Togo. The Yorùbá language has also survived in Cuba (where it is called Lukumi) and in Brazil (where it is called Nago). Aside from these various dialects, there is Standard Yorùbá, which is used to teach Yorùbá in schools in Nigeria. Speakers of various dialects understand the Standard Yorùbá. This course introduces the Standard Yorùbá language and culture. The primary goal is to provide the students with spoken knowledge of the language. However, by the end of the course, students should have acquired some advanced knowledge of reading, speaking, listening, and writing.

 

Benefits of Studying the Yoruba Language and Culture

Studying the Yoruba language and culture offers benefits to both students and the United States in several ways as listed below:

1. It enhances learner’s language skills. Learning the Yoruba language enhances communication and cross-cultural interactions between Americans and Yoruba speakers, within the United States (in communities with Yoruba diaspora) and during future diplomatic, business, or academic engagements in Yoruba-speaking regions. 

2. It also gives learners academic and research opportunities within the Yoruba regions.

3. It exposes learners to different cultural practices and challenges that can broaden their perspectives on global issues.  This outlook can positively influence their leadership qualities and approach to solving international issues. 

4. Studying Yoruba fosters people-to-people connections and can strengthen diplomatic ties between the United States and Nigeria. Positive experiences through cultural exchange programs contribute to a more robust international relationship.

5. A better understanding of the Yoruba language/culture and Nigeria's society can lead to increased business and trade opportunities between the United States and Nigeria, as learners gain insights into market demands, consumer preferences, and business practices in the Yoruba region.

6. It supports Diversity and Inclusion initiatives in the United States. It offers the opportunity for individuals from various backgrounds to engage with and appreciate the richness of Yoruba culture and heritage.

7. Most importantly, Yoruba learners can function in different fields and workforces including, but not limited to medicine, science and technology, business, communication, military, security, etc.

 

Foreign Language Requirements

Most students at Howard University have a foreign language requirement to graduate.  Depending on their major, students typically take between two to four semesters of a foreign language.  Enrolling in Yoruba language courses at Howard will count towards the foreign language requirement.  The course sequence for the basic Yoruba language courses is as follows:

  A.    YORUBA I - (YORU 001) 

         Course Descriptions:

Yoruba 001 is Beginning Yoruba I, a language and culture course designed for beginners and open to students in all departments. The course emphasizes conversational communication; thus, it exposes students to different speaking situations that involve listening and speaking. Also, it exposes students to writing and reading that can help them to be proficient at a novice’s (beginner’s) high level in the language.

 

B.     YORUBA II - (YORU 002)

        Course Descriptions:

YORU II is Beginning Yoruba II, a continuation of Yoruba I. It reinforces four communication skills -listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course prepares students to function at an intermediate level 1 by exposing them to practical ideas about the Yoruba-speaking people: history and diaspora connection, grammar, culture, songs, self-expressions, situational conversations, and tone marks. 

 

C.    YORUBA III - (YORU 003)     

       Course Descriptions:

YORU III is Intermediate Yoruba  I,  a continuation of Yoruba II. It reinforces listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course exposes students to function at an intermediate level II and learn more about the Yoruba-speaking people: history and diaspora connection, grammar, culture, folk stories, poetry, self-expressions, situational conversations, social needs, traditional jobs, movies, and tone marks.

     

D.    YORUBA  IV - (YORU 004)   

       Course Descriptions:

YORU IV is Intermediate Yoruba  II, a continuation of Yoruba III . It reinforces listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course exposes students to function at an advanced level and learn more about the Yoruba-speaking people's history and diaspora connection through reading (Yoruba novels and newspapers), movie analysis, folk stories, conversations about cultural values, writing, and tone marks.