Introducing yourself and meeting others in Akan Twi

Introduction: 

Now that you have learned in previous lessons how to properly greet and speak politely in Akan, we can begin to get to know people and introduce yourself in Akan. First, we will learn about pronouns and then we will progress to vocabulary used in introductions.

Pronouns: 

Listening: 

Listen to the pronunciation guide in the Peace Corps Training Manual lesson 4.

Greeting Vocabulary: There are two ways of asking for someone’s name. Both phrases are broken down word-by-word below.

Name = din

to bear = de

sɛn? = how?, what?

Wo din de sɛn? = Your name is what?

Me din de Laura = My name is Laura

Frɛ = to call

Yɛ frɛ wo sɛn? = What do they/we call you?

te = to feel, hear, smell

yɛ = to be good

ho = body

Wo ho te sɛn? = How are you?

Me ho yɛ = I am well 

Listening: 

Listen to the first 1 minute and 25 seconds of Peace Corps Training Manual lesson 6.

Writing and Speaking: Now use what you’ve learned about greetings and pronouns to write and speak these sentences in Akan.

1. My name is Laura.
2. Please what do they call you?
3. I am fine.
4. How are you?
5. She is fine.
6. How are they?

Dialogue: Using previous lessons on greeting and being polite, construct two short dialogues.

1. A young man, Kofi, greets an elderly woman, Nana Ama and asks of her well being.
2. A elder man, Kwame meets a person younger than him, Abena, who he doesn’t know. Kwame asks for Abena’s name and how she is doing.