Abiodun O. Awokoya (nee Egbeyemi)

Applied Linguist & Language Technology Specialist

Ibadan, NG.

About

Highly accomplished Applied Linguist and Language Technology Specialist with a Master's degree and 7+ years of diverse experience in linguistic research, data annotation, and language education. Proven ability to lead fieldwork, transcribe and annotate complex language data using tools like PRAAT and ELAN, and contribute to significant language documentation and machine translation projects. Adept at leveraging technical skills in Python, R, and ArcGIS to drive impactful research and educational outcomes, aiming to advance language technology and preservation initiatives.

Work

IFRA-Nigeria (French Institute for Research in Africa)

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Research Fellow

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

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Summary

Led linguistic research projects, conducted fieldwork, and published findings for a prominent research institute.

Highlights

Led comprehensive fieldwork and data collection for historical architectural heritage research in Ibadan, culminating in published storymaps in an IFRA journal using ArcGIS.

Freelance

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Language Translator/Annotator

Remote, Remote, Global

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Summary

Provided expert translation and linguistic annotation services for diverse projects, including machine translation and research.

Highlights

Proofread and annotated over 1000 Wikipedia English sentences into Yoruba for the WMT 2022 Machine Translation workshop, enhancing data quality for AI models.

Translated specialized cinematography and photography terminology from English to Yoruba, ensuring linguistic accuracy for creative industries.

Translated a medical health focus group discussion on stroke prevention for high-risk adults in Ibadan, facilitating critical public health research.

Engaged in transcribing and annotating Yoruba audio files using ELAN and Microsoft software for the DSN and African Voice Project (2025), contributing to language resource development.

Undertaking PRAAT annotation of selected vowels for AOM Research (2024-2025), contributing to ongoing phonetic studies.

Adeola Goodwill Private School

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Language Teacher (Yoruba)

Nigeria, West Africa, Nigeria

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Summary

Delivered Yoruba language instruction to junior and senior high school students, fostering linguistic proficiency.

Highlights

Provided effective Yoruba language instruction to junior and senior high school students, fostering linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding.

Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages

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Research Intern/Language Annotator

Remote, Remote, Global

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Summary

Performed precise linguistic annotation to support endangered language documentation efforts.

Highlights

Accurately annotated extensive Mundari language data utilizing PRAAT software to support endangered language preservation initiatives.

Yoruba Language Center, University of Ibadan / Ray Global Consult

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Language Instructor

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

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Summary

Instructed Yoruba language to diverse learners, including diaspora children, as a dedicated language partner.

Highlights

Served as a language partner at the Yoruba Language Center, University of Ibadan, facilitating conversational practice and language acquisition.

Instructed Yoruba language to diaspora children through Ray Global Consult, promoting cultural and linguistic heritage across different regions.

University of Ibadan

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Research Assistant

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

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Summary

Supported linguistic research projects, including fieldwork and data transcription for language documentation.

Highlights

Contributed to the Ubang Language Documentation project under Dr. Demola Lewis, advancing linguistic understanding of the language.

Managed logistics and welfare for linguistic fieldwork trips, ensuring smooth data collection and researcher support.

Transcribed diverse language data, converting raw audio into structured linguistic formats for analysis.

Utilized ELAN software to accurately annotate language data, enhancing its usability for detailed linguistic analysis.

Success Royal International Academy

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Language Teacher (Yoruba and English)

Makarfi, Kaduna State, Nigeria

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Summary

Managed and delivered comprehensive Yoruba and English language education, while also serving in departmental leadership.

Highlights

Managed and delivered comprehensive instruction, planning lessons, grading, and mentoring high school students in Yoruba and English.

Led the Arts and Social Activities Department as Head, overseeing curriculum and extracurricular programs for student enrichment.

Provided dedicated class instruction to Senior Secondary School 2 students, supporting academic and personal growth.

University of Ibadan

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Student Researcher

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

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Summary

Conducted experimental phonetics and phonology research on the Olukumi language.

Highlights

Conducted systematic data elicitation sessions to gather primary linguistic data for research projects.

Performed experimental phonetic and phonological analysis of Olukumi, a Yoruba-related language, contributing to dialectal studies.

Volunteer

Interschool Debate and Quiz Facilitator, Treasurer, Community Development Service (Sports)

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National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

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Facilitated interschool competitions and managed finances for community development initiatives during national service.

Highlights

Facilitated engaging interschool debate and quiz competitions, promoting intellectual development among students.

Managed financial records as Treasurer for Community Development Service (Sports), ensuring transparent resource allocation.

Vice President

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Linguistics Students' Fellowship, University of Ibadan

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Served as Vice President, actively contributing to student leadership and academic community engagement.

Highlights

Provided leadership as Vice President of the Linguistics Students' Fellowship, fostering a supportive academic environment.

Deputy Editor – in – Chief

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Linguistics Students' Association Press (LINSA PRESS) University of Ibadan

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Oversaw editorial processes and content development for the university's Linguistics Students' Association Press.

Highlights

Managed editorial workflows and content for LINSA PRESS, contributing to student academic publications and outreach.

Academic coordinator

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Christ Apostolic Church Students' Association (CACSAUI), University of Ibadan

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Coordinated academic support and programs for student members, enhancing educational outcomes.

Highlights

Coordinated academic initiatives and support programs for student members, enhancing educational outcomes and engagement.

Certificates

Data Visualization &R Summer School

Chemnitz University of Technology

IEEE-sponsored 7th AI Symposium Participant

IEEE

Photogrammetry Training

IFRA-Nigeria (French Institute for Research in Africa)

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement, Nigeria

Summer Institute Program

National African Language Resource Center (NALRC) Indiana University

Google Data Analytics Course

Coursera

Soft skills training

BMGA Fellows Program

Error management in second language teaching and learning workshop

Yoruba Language Center, University of Ibadan

Teaching Yoruba as Second Language- approaches to second language teaching and learning workshop

Yoruba Language Center, University of Ibadan

Online-based approach to second language learning/teaching workshop

Yoruba Language Center, University of Ibadan

York English Language Toolkit: continuing professional development workshop for teachers of English language A level

Department of Language and Linguistics Science, University of York

Education

University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
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Master of Arts Linguistics

Courses

Thesis: Verb Phrase tonal Grammar in Central Yoruba Dialect

University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
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Bachelor of Arts Linguistics

Courses

Final Project: Phono-syntactic Variation Among Ekiti Lects

Languages

Yoruba

English

Skills

Language Data Processing & Annotation

ELAN, CMDI maker, PRAAT, Transcription, Annotation, Data Elicitation, Fieldwork, ArcGIS, Microsoft Software, DSN, African Voice Project.

Linguistic Research & Analysis

Phonetics, Phonology, Phono-syntactic Variation, Tonal Grammar, Endangered Language Documentation, Experimental Analysis, Cultural Heritage Research, PCIbex.

Programming & Data Tools

Python, R, SQL, Data Visualization, Google Data Analytics.

Language Education & Pedagogy

Yoruba Language Instruction, English Language Instruction, Curriculum Development, Lesson Planning, Mentoring, Second Language Teaching, Error Management.

Translation & Localization

English-Yoruba Translation, Technical Translation, Machine Translation (WMT), Cinematography Registers, Photography Registers, Medical Health Translation.

Project & Team Management

Research Coordination, Logistics Management, Stakeholder Management, Academic Coordination, Editorial Management, Team Leadership, Data analysis.

Data Analysis | SQL, Python (Pandas, NumPy), R, Excel (Formulas, Pivot Tables, Dashboards, Data Visualization), Power BI, Google Data Analytics, Statistical Analysis Data Visualization | Power BI, Excel Dashboards, Matplotlib, Seaborn Business Intelligence | Reporting, Dashboard Creation, Data Storytelling Programming Languages | Python, R, SQL