YorCALL: Improving and Sustaining Yoruba Language through a Practical Iterative Learning Approach

The number of people who speak Yoruba language fluently and write it correctly with appropriate tonal signs is declining. This could be attributed to the adoption of English Language (a colonial language) by parent as their children first language and the neglect of Yoruba from most Nigeria Educational system curricula. To this end, the aim of this work was to improve user knowledge of tonal sign assigning, correct word pronunciation and thus Yoruba language literacy by implementing a Computer Assisted Language Learning System that translates Yoruba text to speech, and allows users to check-up the meaning of words and take test on Yoruba language literacy. We propose a practical iterative learning approach that factors in the basic features and requirements that will ensure the optimal realization of benefits of the system to the user.