Let's Speak Twi is an introductory textbook for those seeking
proficiency in Akan/Twi, the most widely used and understood native
language of Ghana. This book is a systematic introduction to Akan
and
Ghanaian culture through the language learning process. Included are
exercises and activities that require active participation on the
part
of the learner. The book also serves as a useful companion for
academics and others embarking on fieldtrips to Ghana and
neighboring
countries where Twi is spoken.
“We love to provide it to visitors and volunteers that are passing
through as a beginning language guide.”
–Autumn Buzzell, Director of Education, City Of Refuge Ministries,
Ghana
“Let's Speak Twi: A Proficiency Course in Akan Language and
Culture is an excellent guide through Ghana's most widely spoken
language. This book helps students of Twi develop awareness of
social customs and cultural practices by combining historical,
cultural, and social context with language training and grammar.
The excellent and comprehensive dialogues, examples, and vocabulary
provide students with a realistic picture of language use in Ghana
and teach students Twi through modules that capture everyday
Ghanaian life. For a language that has few materials available
outside of the country, this new text is a valuable contribution to
the literature.”
–Jennifer Hart, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of African History at
Wayne State University
Table of Contents and sample chapter (pdf)
Adams Bodomo is associate professor and chair, Department of Linguistics, at the School of Humanities, University of Hong Kong. He has taught at the University of Ghana, Stanford University, and
Santa Clara University (California, USA). Charles Marfo is a lecturer in the Department of Modern Languages at
the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST),
Ghana. Lauren Hall-Lew is Lecturer in Sociolinguistics at the University of Edinburgh and a former Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in English and
Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics at the University of Oxford.
- Introduction
- 1 Greetings & Other Phatic Expressions – Ǹkyèá né Ǹsɛḿ Bí
- 2 Twi Orthography – Twi Àtwèrɛ́
- 3 Introducing Oneself – Òbí Réyí Nò Hò Ádíé
- 4 Numerals – Ǹkóńtá / Àkòǹtàbúdéɛ́
- 5 Telling Time: Days of the Week & Months of the Year – M̀mrɛ́ ká, Ǹná á ɛ́wɔ́
nàwɔ́wé mú, Àbòsómé á ɛ̀wɔ́ àfé mú
- 6 Directions – Àkwàǹkyèrɛ́
- 7 Family Relations – Àbùsùàbɔ́
- 8 Types of Food: Meat, Vegetables & Fruits – Ǹnùàné:
ɛ̀náḿ,
Àtòsòdéɛ́ né Ǹnùàbá Áhóróɔ́ Bí
- 9 At the Market – Wɔ̀ Dwáḿ / Èdwá só
- 10 The Twi Colour Spectrum – Twi Àhósú Áhódóɔ́
- 11 At School – Sùkúù Mú
- 12 The Weather – Èwíéḿ Ńsèsàéɛ́
- 13 At the Hospital – Wɔ̀ Àyàrèsábéá
- 14 In the Drinking Bar – Wɔ̀ Ǹsàdwáásé
- 15 Travelling: Twi for the Road – Àkwáńtúó: Twì à Èhíá
wɔ̀ Kwáń mú
- 16 Leisure time: Drumming and Dancing – Àhóyábérɛ́ / Àhòmègyébérɛ́:
Twènèbɔ́ né Àsá
- 17 At a Funeral – Wɔ̀ Àyíéásé
- 18 Flora & Fauna – Àfifidéɛ̀ nè M̀móádómá
- 19 Government & Politics – Àbáń né Àmàǹyɔ̀sɛ́m̀
- 20 Law & Order – M̀mèrá né Ǹhyèhyɛ̀èɛ́
- 21 Applications and interviews – Ǹhwèhwɛ̀èɛ́ né mú Ńsɛ̀m̀mìsá
- Appendix A: Facts to note in pronunciation – Ǹnéɛ́má títìré bí áà
ɛ̀wɔ́ kàsàé mú
- Appendix B: Idiomatic and common expressions – Àkàsàkòá né
dáádáá Ńsɛ̀m̀bìsá bí
- Appendix C: Some essential euphemisms –
Kàsàkòá áhódóɔ́ bí áà ɛ̀hó híá
- Appendix D: Àdìǹkr̀á – Symbols of expressions in Akan
- Appendix E: Word list (Akan-Twi to English) – ńsɛ̀m̀fùá bí
- Appendix F: References / Resources for Learning Twi
January 2011