Being polite in Akan Twi

Lesson: Being Polite in Akan Twi

Culture: Politeness is incredibly important when greeting and speaking in the Akan language. One is always expected to show respect for older people, using the proper titles and using the word “please” often. People are expected to ask after each others health it is not enough to say “Hello” or “Good morning.”

Vocabulary:

Male elder = ⊃panyin 

Female elder = ⊃baa panyin

Ma’am/Lady = Awuraa

Sir/Mr = Owura

Adult female old enough to be your mother = Maame/Auntie 

Adult male old enough to be your father = Uncle/Papa

Title for male or female chief = Nana

How are you? = Wo ho te sƐn?

I am fine = Me ho yƐ

Please = Mepa wo kyƐw (translated directly as “I remove my hat to you”) pronounced mepaakyƐw 

Thank you = Meda wo ase (translated directly as “I lay at your feet”) pronounced medaase

Practice by filling in the blank and then reading the sentences aloud:

1: _____ (elderly woman) maaha

2: Yaa nua

1: _____(please), wo ho te sƐn?

2: Me ho yƐ, _______ (thank you).