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The headword field for a word entry has history been “overloaded”. What we mean by this is that the headword was responsible for not only capturing the correct spelling of a world but also the correct pronunciation. This lead to unexpected “correct” spelling of words. For example, ụgbọ ala is the correct spelling for the word “car”; however, the headword would be spelled as ụgbaala because that’s how its pronounced.
The Igbo API word document has been expanded to not only include headword but also two new fields: headwordPronunciation and conceptualSpelling. Explanations for each of these entries are provided below.
Additionally, the Status field describes whether or not a field is public or private to the general public. In other terms, the headword and headwordPronunciation fields are available to consumers of the Igbo API (aka users of Nkọwa okwu) while conceptualSpelling is only available to the lexicographers and editors making changes directly to the database within the Igbo API Editor Platform
Status: Public
The purpose of a word entry’s headword is to showcase the correct spelling of the word. The headword must use the appropriate tone marking convention to best represent tonal changes, which is mentioned in the Dictionary Editing Standards document. If a word sounds different from how its spelled, that’s to be expected. The next field, headword Pronunciation, is responsible for showcasing the way is pronounced.
For example: ụgbọ àlà, isi ewū, àhụ ike
Status: Public
The purpose of a word entry’s headword pronunciation is showcase the correct pronunciation of the word. In other terms, the headword pronunciation should spell the word using verbal assimilation or vowel slurs. This field is also expected to use tone markings to capture the correct pronunciation for a word.
For example: ụgbaàlà, isiewū (isyewū?), àhụike (àhwike?)
Todos:
Status: Private