Author: Dr. Ndubuisi O. Ahamefula, Dr. Onuoha Joy Adaeze & Prof. R. I. Okorji, PhD
Date: 20/02/2026
The paper examines the ongoing efforts at developing appropriate words and terms, for the Covid-19 in the Igbo language to enhance awareness and effective communications for new concepts and realities. Climate change and other ecological nuances such as the Covid-19 pandemic have posed a lot of communication challenges, especially for the indigenous languages. The paper adopts the descriptive survey and action research to examine the perceived gap in the Igbo terms and terminologies, for the covid-19 pandemic and the continuous response of linguists and translators; to the nouveau communicative situation orchestrated by it. Discussions arising from the paper will motivate and ignite researchers’ interest for more studies in the area of Igbo language adjusting to novel realities, as a result of the worldwide covid-19 pandemic. Preliminary findings reveal that there are a lot of responses in developing Igbo terms for covid-19 and disease issues. There is the need for more concerted effort by Igbo scholars and linguists to respond to developmental language efforts, to help Igbo grapple with pandemic, and be enlightened especially for the rural dwellers and masses; who do not speak other languages than Igbo. The paper will give further motivation for the Covid-19 awareness and enlightenment campaign among the Igbo speaking populace, in Nigeria and beyond. The paper has some implications for the health of Nigerian citizens, it is expected that the government through relevant agencies will sponsor provision of Igbo booklets for the health of the Igbo speakers.
Keywords: Covid-19, Igbo translation, environmental awareness in Igbo, pandemic communication
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