Tunde & Chioma
From: 🇳🇬 Nigeria
Ages: 30 & 29
Languages Spoken: Yoruba, Igbo, English
Current Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Child: Zikora, age 3
Story: A proud intertribal household. They speak Yoruba with Dad, Igbo with Mum, and English for storytime. Zikora is learning all three.
Can you describe your family’s language background?
Tunde grew up speaking Yoruba in Ibadan, while Chioma is from Enugu and speaks Igbo natively. Both of us are fluent in English, which is the main language in school and media here in Nigeria. Our home reflects this blend.
Which languages are you using, how and where, and how did you decide on that mix?
Yoruba with Dad, Igbo with Mum, and English together — mostly for books, TV, and conversations in public. We decided early on to split it this way so Zikora could grow up proud of both her heritages and still thrive in an English-dominant world.
Why is teaching those languages important for you?
Because language is culture. Yoruba and Igbo carry our histories, values, humour, and spirituality. We don’t want her to lose either side. English is practical — but Yoruba and Igbo are personal.
When did you first decide to raise your child bilingually?
Before she was born. We’re both passionate about our cultures and knew we wanted our daughter to be able to speak to her grandparents in their own languages.
Did you follow a specific strategy (e.g. OPOL, ML@H), or did it evolve naturally?
We started with OPOL — One Parent, One Language. It’s worked well for us. Zikora knows who speaks what, and she switches easily.
What were your biggest concerns at the beginning — and how did those play out over time?
We were worried she’d mix everything up or feel overwhelmed. But kids adjust. She code-switches, sure, but she understands all three languages clearly.
What helped you stay consistent in using both languages? What’s your routine?
We have set roles. Tunde speaks only Yoruba with her. Chioma sticks to Igbo. Storytime before bed is in English — often with Nigerian folk stories. That balance keeps us all on track.
Has your approach changed as your child got older?
Yes — we now introduce simple reading and songs in Yoruba and Igbo. At first, it was just speaking. Now we include cultural lessons, proverbs, and traditional songs too.
How do you handle resistance or when your child favours one language?
We just keep going. No pressure. If she responds in English or mixes, we don’t correct her harshly. We just model the right response in our language and move on.
Have you experienced any moments of breakthrough or pride in their language development?
Yes! She once helped her grandmother translate something from Igbo to Yoruba. She was only two and a half at the time. We were shocked and proud.
What role has extended family, or your community played in supporting (or challenging) your goals?
Our families are very supportive — especially the grandparents. They only speak Yoruba or Igbo with her. The local market women love that she greets them properly in Yoruba too.
Got a funny or unexpected story from your bilingual journey? We’d love to hear it.
She once told a neighbour in a full sentence, “Biko, I want puff-puff, abeg!” mixing Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin perfectly. The aunty laughed so hard she gave her two for free.
Have you ever felt pressure (internal or external) about your bilingual goals?
Yes — some people think teaching indigenous languages is “old-fashioned” or less useful. But we strongly disagree. For us, it’s not optional. It’s legacy.
Do you feel like your child connects emotionally or culturally to both languages?
Absolutely. She dances to traditional music, knows the names of local dishes, and corrects us if we forget a traditional greeting. She owns both identities proudly.
What’s been the most unexpected challenge?
Finding books and cartoons in Yoruba or Igbo that are high quality. Most children’s content is in English. We’ve had to create some of our own.
What has surprised you most in a positive way?
How naturally she switches languages based on who she’s talking to. It’s like she has a built-in language radar. No confusion — just confidence.
What technology or other resources do you use to support language learning?
YouTube (carefully curated), Spotify playlists with traditional songs, and a few mobile apps for Nigerian languages. Also, voice notes from family members help reinforce words and expressions.
Have schooling or childcare settings helped or hindered the process?
School is entirely in English, but we talk to her teachers about our goals. They’re supportive and love hearing her bring in Igbo or Yoruba words during activities.
If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?
Start even earlier with songs and storytelling in the heritage languages. We underestimated how quickly children absorb sound patterns and tone.
What advice would you give to other parents just starting out?
Don’t wait. Speak your language from day one. Make it part of your home, your stories, your playtime. Bilingualism isn’t just about vocabulary — it’s about belonging.