Using the dictionary
Is Kịrịkẹnị free?
Yes. Searching, browsing and the Learn page are free and need no account. A free account lets you save favourites, build flashcards and contribute.
Do I need to type the tone marks and dots?
No. Search ignores them, so typing "so" finds só, sò and sọ́. Exact matches are listed first.
Can I search in English?
Yes. Type an English word and the search runs from English to Okrika, ranking entries whose meaning is exactly that word above those that only mention it.
Why do a few entries look unusual or say “Review”?
The core of the dictionary was typed in 1995 and converted between fonts in 2005, and some marks did not survive. Entries we could not read cleanly are flagged rather than guessed. If you know the right form, please suggest a correction.
What do the small labels mean?
The italic label is the part of speech from the source, such as n for noun, v for verb and a. for adjective. The coloured label is the subject, such as fish, bird or kinship, from the subject codes in the 2005 edition.
Is there a mobile app?
Not yet. iOS and Android apps will be built once the website is complete. Until then the site is built to work well on a phone.
About the words
Where do the words come from?
Most come from Levi Sika’s Okrika Word Book, completed in 1995 and circulated by the linguist Roger Blench in 2005. Newer entries come from reviewed community contributions and from Okrika lesson material, each marked with its source.
Which spelling do you follow?
Levi Sika’s. When another source spells a word differently, his spelling and tone marks stand, and the other form may be noted alongside.
Are words from Ogu, Ogoloma and the other towns included?
Sika based his book on the Kịrịkẹ of the island town, which he described as understood across Okrika, and labelled some words as Ogu or Ogoloma usage. Words from other towns are welcome: when you contribute, say where you heard the word.
Contributing
How do I add or correct a word?
Sign in and open Contribute. You can add a new word, suggest a change to an existing entry, record a pronunciation or write a cultural note.
What happens after I submit?
Your submission joins the review queue. Other users can vote and comment on it in the contributions feed, and an editor approves or rejects it. You can follow its status in your dashboard.
Will I be credited?
Yes. Approved contributions show the display name on your profile in the contributions feed.
Can I record how a word is said?
Yes. Choose “Record a pronunciation” on Contribute and record up to ten seconds in your browser. Recordings are reviewed before they are published.
The project
Who runs Kịrịkẹnị?
Kịrịkẹnị was founded by Boma Nathaniel Williams and is designed, built and run by Greencrest Integrated Services Ltd, Abuja, Nigeria.
How is it funded?
By its founder and by supporters. Anyone can give once or monthly on the Donate page, which also explains what gifts pay for.
Can I use the dictionary data for research or an app?
Please ask first. Write to us with “Research & data” as the topic and tell us what you have in mind.
How do I contact you?
Email hello@kirikeni.com, call +234 806 824 6347, or use the form on the Contact page.