Basic 5 · Ghanaian Language · Vocabulary: Sight and Content Vocabulary
Reading Aloud with Correct Pronunciation and Tone
In this topic you will read paragraphs aloud with correct pronunciation, tone and expression.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain tone in Ghanaian languages
- Read paragraphs aloud with correct pronunciation
- Use expression and fluency when reading
What you already know
- Digraphs
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Reading
- Sub-strand
- Vocabulary: Sight and Content Vocabulary
- Indicator
- B5.2.5.1.1-2 – Read paragraphs of passages aloud with correct pronunciation and tone
Introduction
Most Ghanaian languages are tonal languages. This means the pitch of your voice (high or low) can change the meaning of a word. Reading with the correct tone is very important.
1. Tone
Tone: The rise and fall of the voice (pitch) on a syllable, which can change the meaning of a word.
In tonal languages, two words may be spelt the same but have different meanings because of tone. For example, in Twi, "papa" said with one tone pattern means "father", while with another it means "good". Listening carefully to fluent speakers helps you learn correct tones.
2. Pronunciation
Pronunciation is the way a word is said. To pronounce well, say each sound clearly, pronounce digraphs as one sound, give each vowel its correct quality (open or closed, e.g. e/ɛ and o/ɔ), and use the right tone.
| Skill | How to do it |
|---|---|
| pronunciation | say each sound and word clearly |
| tone | use the correct high and low pitch |
| fluency | read smoothly without stopping on every word |
| pace | not too fast, not too slow |
| volume | loud enough for everyone to hear |
| expression | show feeling (excitement, sadness, questions) |
| punctuation | pause at commas and full stops; raise the voice for questions |
3. A Practice Paragraph (English Version)
"Market day had come at last. Ama woke up early and helped her mother carry baskets of tomatoes and pepper. The market was full of noise: traders calling, drivers hooting and children laughing. 'Fresh tomatoes! Cheap pepper!' Ama shouted. By noon, they had sold everything. Ama was tired but very happy."
Read it in your Ghanaian language version with your teacher. Note where to pause, where to sound excited ("Fresh tomatoes!") and where to sound tired but happy.
4. Practising Fluency
- Read the paragraph silently first.
- Underline difficult words and practise them.
- Read aloud slowly, then at normal speed.
- Read to a partner and ask for feedback.
- Read again, improving tone and expression.
New words
- tone
- Pitch of the voice that can change meaning.
- tonal language
- A language in which tone changes meaning.
- pronunciation
- The way a word is said.
- fluency
- Reading smoothly and correctly.
- expression
- Showing feeling in reading.
- pitch
- How high or low a sound is.
Summary
- Most Ghanaian languages are tonal.
- Correct tone and pronunciation give the right meaning.
- Read with fluency, good pace, volume and expression.
- Practise difficult words and read to a partner.
Class activity: Reading Relay
- Each member reads one sentence of a paragraph in your Ghanaian language.
- Group members give feedback on tone and pronunciation.
- Read the whole paragraph again as a group.
You need: Ghanaian-language storybook, Locally made sentence cards, Pointer stick
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Reading smoothly without stopping on every word is…
- A. fluency
- B. tone
- C. volume
- D. spelling
Show answer
Answer: fluencySmooth reading.2. In a tonal language, tone can…
- A. change the meaning of a word
- B. change nothing
- C. make words longer
- D. remove vowels
Show answer
Answer: change the meaning of a wordPitch matters.3. At a question mark your voice should…
- A. rise
- B. fall silent
- C. whisper
- D. shout
Show answer
Answer: riseIt shows a question.4. Most Ghanaian languages are tonal.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueTone changes meaning.5. Reading very fast is always best.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseUse a good pace.6. How high or low a sound is, is its ______.
Show answer
Answer: pitchTone uses pitch.7. State three tips for reading aloud.
Show answer
Answer: Pronounce clearly, use correct tone, pause at punctuation (or volume, expression).Any three.8. Why is tone important in Ghanaian languages?
Show answer
Answer: The same spelling can have different meanings depending on tone, so wrong tone changes the message.Tonal languages.
Homework
- Read a paragraph from a storybook in your Ghanaian language aloud to a family member.