Computational Analysis of Igbo Numerals in a Number-to-text Conversion System

Year 2017, Volume: 5 Issue: 10, 241 - 254, 03.12.2017

İyanda Abimbola Rhoda

https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.325804

Cited By: 3

Abstract

System for converting Arabic numerals to their textual equivalence is an
important tool in Natural Language processing (NLP) especially in high-level
speech processing and machine translation. Such system is scarcely available
for most African languages including the Igbo language. This translation system
is essential as Igbo language is one of the three major Nigerian languages
feared to be among the endangered African languages. The system was designed
using sequence as well as activity diagram and implemented using the python
programming language and PyQt. The qualitative evaluation was done by
administering questionnaires to selected native Igbo speakers and experts to
provide preferred representation of some random numbers. The responses were
compared with the output of the system. The result of the qualitative
evaluation showed that the system was able to generate correct and accurate
representations for Arabic numbers between 1-1000 in Igbo language being the
scope of this study. The resulting system can serve as an effective teaching
and learning tool of the Igbo language.

Keywords

syntax-based, Igbo language, translator, numeral, computational

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