Bible translation and lexical elaboration: On representing 'virgin' in the Igbo Bible.

This article examines how the translation of the term “virgin” in various Igbo Bible versions has contributed to lexical elaboration and language change among Igbo speakers in Nigeria. While preexisting Igbo terms for virgin, such as agbọghọ and okporo, were polysemous—referring also to young or unmarried persons—Bible translators introduced descriptive phrases built around the verb ma (“to know”) as a euphemism for sexual intercourse, thereby semantically specifying virginity as sexual inactivity. This biblical lexical innovation has spread widely among Igbo speakers, who have further extended and adapted these terms, including creating gender-neutral and male-specific expressions for virginity, reflecting evolving sociolinguistic awareness. The study also notes a recent Igbo Bible translation’s attempt to replace descriptive phrases with a novel lexical coinage (abọị agbọghọ), though this term has yet to gain broad acceptance. Overall, the research highlights the significant role of Bible translation in enriching the Igbo lexicon and influencing language use beyond religious contexts.