Hello Language Lovers! In this episode of Speaking Tongues, we have the pleasure of speaking with Tochi Precious, a dedicated program manager and language advocate with a wealth of experience in the Wikimedia movement. She is the co-founder of the Igbo Wikimedians User Group and currently serves as a Wikimedian in Residence at Wikitongues, where she works at the intersection of open knowledge, indigenous languages, and community empowerment. Her work amplifies under-represented voices and supports grassroots language preservation through inclusive, community-led approaches.

Tochi shares her journey with language learning, including her first language, Igbo, and her experiences with English, German, and her current endeavor of learning Finnish. We explore the fascinating aspects of Igbo grammar, tonality, and the significance of cultural greetings, alongside the vibrant dialectal diversity within the Igbo-speaking community.

In this episode, we discuss:

 🇳🇬 The tonal nature of Igbo and how pitch affects meaning in the language.

 🇳🇬 The importance of community and respect in Igbo culture, including traditional greetings and practices.

 🇳🇬 The challenges of language endangerment and the efforts being made to preserve and promote Igbo.

 🇳🇬 The unique experiences of encountering different Igbo dialects and their implications for communication.

 🇳🇬 The role of proverbs and traditional knowledge in Igbo culture, including their relevance to sustainability.

 🇳🇬 Delicious Igbo cuisine, including the cultural significance of yam and related festivals.

A heartfelt thank you to Tochi for sharing her insights and passion for the Igbo language and culture with us. If you enjoyed this episode of Speaking Tongues, please subscribe, rate, and review the Speaking Tongues Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and like and subscribe on YouTube so that other language lovers can find the show! You can now pledge ongoing support for the show on Buy Me a Coffee dot com or on Patreon dot com. And don’t forget to check out my food ‘zine of international language and cuisine, Taste Buds Vol 1., available for purchase now! Links to all platforms are below!

To Connect with Tochi:

Instagram: @adaugo_tochi

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tochiprecious/

Wikitongues: https://www.wikitongues.org/

Connect with Speaking Tongues:

Follow on IG: @speakingtonguespod

Follow on Twitter: @stpodcasthost

Like our Facebook Page: @speakingtonguespod

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFOPq3j7wGteY-PjcZaMxg

Did you enjoy this episode? Support Speaking Tongues on Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/speakingtongues

Pledge ongoing monthly support. Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/speakingtonguespodcast

Buy my book here: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/elle-charisse/taste-buds-vol-1/paperback/product-wn2n46.html?page=1&pageSize=4

#speakingtonguespodcast #speakingtongues #languagepodcast #IgboCulture #LanguagePreservation