Speaking Yorùbá
The showing of respect in speech is one of the unique features of the Yorùbá language. This is shown in the use of alternative characters when referring to contemporaries versus older people (or a group of people).
Characters used alternatively are:
Ẹ ẹ. This is used as a prefix to words when referring to a group or to older people.
Listen to some examples here
| ẸṢé | (thank you) |
| Ẹ Ká à bọ̀ | (welcome) |
| Ẹ Ká à á rọ̣̀ | (good morning) |
| Ẹ Ká à sán | (good afternoon) |
| Ẹ Ká a lẹ́ | (good evening) |
O o. This is used as a prefix to words and may be sometimes omitted altogether, when referring to friends and contemporaries
Listen to some examples here
| O Ṣé | (thank you) |
| Ká à bò | (welcome) |
| Ká à á rọ̣̀ | (good morning) |
| Ká à sán | (good afternoon) |
| Ká a lẹ́ | (good evening) |
