A Rule-Based Annotation for Ibibio Children’s Play Songs

Authors

  • Aniefon Akpan National Institute of Nigerian Languages, Aba
  • Moses Ekpenyong University of Uyo, Uyo
  • Eno-abasi Urua University of Uyo, Uyo
  • Margaret Okon University of Calabar, Calabar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60787/jolan.vol6no1.463

Keywords:

Translation, Ibibio, Language, Tagging, Annotation
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Abstract

We present a rule-based audio annotator developed for the efficient annotation and tagging of Ibibio words. The Ibibio audio annotator is a word tagger that addresses the challenge of timeconsumption in annotating audio/video files that can benefit researchers that are faced with the task of annotating large audio/video files. In a preparatory step, the collected data from randomly selected nine Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State were transcribed using orthographic transcription. The transcribed Ibibio text was translated into language of larger communication and a bilingual mini Ibibio-English created. An interface was developed using Python software and could be modified to fit related Ibibiod languages. The transcribed texts and bilingual mini dictionary were used as input files in the interface created with Python script to tag the file. The procedure of tagging was informed on series of decision-making processes like homonyms, morpheme and part of speech distinction. Eudico Language Annotator (ELAN) software sample textgrid file was manually modified to reflect the correct time start and time end of the selected video file. The audio annotator drastically reduced the time spent in tagging the large Ibibio corpus file.

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Published

2026-09-19

How to Cite

Akpan, A., Ekpenyong, M., Urua, E.- abasi, & Okon, M. (2026). A Rule-Based Annotation for Ibibio Children’s Play Songs. Journal of The Linguistic Association of Nigeria, 6(1), 18–30. https://doi.org/10.60787/jolan.vol6no1.463