or grave, subdued tone and is recognized by a grave accent mark: a short stroke tilting downwards to the left (`). The fifth tone, which is usually found in negative statements, is called the Extra-High Tone and is indicated by a dot on letter ‘ṅ.’ Igala Homographs 1. The word spelt, agba, depending on the tones used to pronounce it, may have four different meanings, namely: (i) agba (casual greeting); pronounced with static, sustained Mid or Neutral tone – / ̩a ̩gba/ (ii) àgbá (hand-cuffs); pronounced with Low-High tone combination / ̩à ‘gbá / (iii) àgbà (chin); pronounced with Low tone replicated – / ̩à ̩gbà / (iv) ágbá (Balsam tree); pronounced with the High tone duplicated – / á gbá / – 2. The bi-syllabic noun spelt, iga can generate three other words pronounced differently each having its distinct meaning as follows: (i) ìga (Weaver bird); pronounced with Low-Mid tones – / ̩ ì ‘ga / – and a secondary-primary stress pattern. (ii) ìgà (net); pronounced with the Low tone duplicated – / ̩ ì ̩ gà / – and a secondary-secondary stress pattern. (iii) ìgá (estate); pronounced with the Low-High tone combination – / ̩ ì ‘gá / – and a secondary-primary stress pattern. References External links Roger Blench, Paul Gross. 2005. Igala mammal names. Yoruboid languages Languages of Nigeria