Igbo Translation & Igbo Interpretation Services
Igbo language
Providing Professional Translation, Interpretation and Localization services in Igbo and more than 300 other languages and dialects.
Autonym(s)
Ásụ̀sụ́ Ìgbò
Number of Speakers
Native Speakers: 31 million
Geographic Distribution
Nigeria
Official or Recognized Status
Nigeria
Classification
Niger-Congo, Igboid
Features
Igbo is a tonal Niger-Congo language spoken primarily in southeastern Nigeria. It uses a subject–verb–object (SVO) word order and features three main tones—high, mid, and low—which are essential for distinguishing meaning between otherwise identical words. Igbo has a relatively simple noun class system compared to other Niger-Congo languages, but it still uses prefixes to indicate number, such as "ónyé" (person) and "ńdị" (people). Verbs are marked for aspect rather than tense, with a rich system of aspectual markers that convey completed, ongoing, or habitual actions. The language also employs reduplication for emphasis or plurality and uses ideophones to express sensory and emotional experiences vividly.
Dialects
The Igbo language consists of numerous dialects, reflecting the diverse ethnic and geographic makeup of southeastern Nigeria. While there is no single standardized spoken form, Central Igbo—based primarily on the Owerri and Umuahia dialects—serves as the standard for education and media. Major dialect clusters include Onitsha, Owerri, Ngwa, Nsukka, Awka, and Abakaliki, each with distinct phonological, lexical, and tonal variations. Despite these differences, most dialects are mutually intelligible, though some—particularly those on the periphery like the Ikwerre or Ekpeye varieties—can be more divergent and sometimes considered separate languages. These dialectal differences reflect the rich cultural and historical diversity within the Igbo-speaking region.
Writing System
U.S. Distribution
In the United States, Igbo is spoken primarily within Nigerian immigrant communities, especially in major metropolitan areas such as Houston, Atlanta, New York City, Dallas, and the Washington, D.C. region. Igbo speakers in the U.S. often maintain the language within families, cultural associations, and religious gatherings, although English tends to dominate in public and intergenerational communication. Community-based efforts, including language classes, cultural festivals, and church programs, help preserve the language among second-generation Igbo Americans. Despite limited institutional support, Igbo remains one of the more commonly spoken African languages in the U.S., reflecting the strong cultural identity of the Nigerian diaspora.
At Latitude Prime, we offer Igbo translation, Igbo interpretation, and Igbo localization services in numerous specialized subject areas and multiple dialects. Whether you need to translate legal documents from Igbo into English for immigration purposes, need Igbo interpreter for a business meeting in Abuja, or want to localize your website into Igbo to market your products or services in Nigeria, Latitude Prime has the customized language solution to meet all your Igbo language needs.
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