Basic 7 · Ghanaian Language · Naming Systems
Day Names, Listening Comprehension and Translating Expressions
In this topic you will state the names of the days of the week in your Ghanaian language and relate them to day names given to people, listen attentively to a text to identify key information, and translate common expressions and idioms.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name the days of the week and the male and female day names linked to them
- Listen attentively to a level-appropriate text and identify key information
- Translate common expressions and idioms by meaning
What you already know
- Kinds of names and their meanings
- Translating words and sentences
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Customs & Institutions
- Sub-strand
- Naming Systems
- Indicator
- B7.1.2.1.1 – State the names of the days of the week and relate their names to the days
Introduction
Among many Ghanaian peoples, a child's first name comes from the day of the week on which he or she was born. That is why there are so many people called Kofi, Ama, Kɔdzo or Abla.
1. Days and Day Names in Akan
| English | Twi day | Male name | Female name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Dwoada | Kwadwo (Kojo) | Adwoa |
| Tuesday | Benada | Kwabena (Kobina) | Abena |
| Wednesday | Wukuada | Kwaku (Kweku) | Akua |
| Thursday | Yawoada | Yaw | Yaa |
| Friday | Fiada | Kofi | Afia (Efua) |
| Saturday | Memeneda | Kwame (Kwamena) | Amma (Ama) |
| Sunday | Kwasiada | Kwasi (Kwesi) | Akosua (Esi) |
2. Day Names in Ewe
| English | Male name | Female name |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Kɔdzo | Adzo |
| Tuesday | Kɔbla | Abla |
| Wednesday | Kɔku | Aku |
| Thursday | Yawo | Yawa |
| Friday | Kofi | Afi |
| Saturday | Kɔmi | Ama |
| Sunday | Kɔsi | Akɔsua |
3. Relating Names to Days
Day names connect a person to the day of birth. The names are linked to the soul (kra) in Akan belief, and each day is believed to give certain qualities. For example, people born on Monday (Kwadwo, Adwoa) are often described as calm and peaceful, while those born on Wednesday (Kwaku, Akua) are said to be bold or clever. These are traditional beliefs, but they show how closely names and identity are linked.
4. Using Day Names
Day names are often used with a family name: Kofi Owusu, Ama Serwaa. People may also be called by their day names alone at home. When greeting, you may hear an elder use a praise phrase linked to a day name. Knowing day names helps you understand Ghanaian identity and history; for example, Kwame Nkrumah was born on a Saturday.
New words
- day name
- A name given according to the day of birth.
- kra
- The soul, in Akan belief.
- weekday
- One of the seven days of the week.
- praise phrase
- A respectful expression used with a name.
Summary
- Ghanaian peoples such as the Akan and Ewe give day names according to the day of birth.
- Each day has a male and a female name, such as Kofi and Afia for Friday in Akan.
- Day names are linked to identity, beliefs about character and family life.
Class activity: Day Name Survey
- Ask each member of your class their day of birth and day name.
- Record the results in a table.
- Find which day has the most learners and present your findings.
You need: Printed weekday-name cards, Printed family-member cards, Chalkboard, Chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. An Akan boy born on Friday is called…
- A. Kofi
- B. Kwame
- C. Yaw
- D. Kwasi
Show answer
Answer: KofiFiada.2. An Ewe girl born on Tuesday is called…
- A. Abla
- B. Adzo
- C. Aku
- D. Yawa
Show answer
Answer: AblaKɔbla for boys.3. Kwame Nkrumah was born on a Saturday.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueKwame is a Saturday name.4. In Akan belief, the soul is called the ______.
Show answer
Answer: kraLinked to day names.5. Write the Akan day names for a boy and a girl born on Sunday.
Show answer
Answer: Kwasi (Kwesi) and Akosua (Esi).Kwasiada.6. Explain how day names show a person's identity.
Show answer
Answer: They tell the day of birth, link the person to beliefs about character and show belonging to a culture.Identity.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Listening & Speaking
- Sub-strand
- Listening Comprehension
- Indicator
- B7.2.2.1.1 – Listen to a level-appropriate text attentively and identify key information
Introduction
Listening carefully is as important as reading. In this lesson you will listen to a story in your Ghanaian language and pick out the key information.
1. Steps in Listening Comprehension
- Sit quietly and look at the speaker.
- Listen for the title and the main characters.
- Note where and when the story takes place.
- Listen for the problem and how it is solved.
- Note any lesson or moral.
- Answer questions in complete sentences.
2. Listening Text (to be read aloud by the teacher in the Ghanaian language)
Translated summary: "Once upon a time, the tortoise wanted to attend a feast in the sky. The birds agreed to lend him some of their feathers so he could fly with them. On the way, the tortoise said, 'At feasts, we all take new names. My name is All of You.' When the food was served, the hosts said, 'This is for all of you.' The tortoise said, 'That means me!' and ate everything. The angry birds took back their feathers, and the tortoise had to jump down from the sky. He landed on stones and his shell broke into pieces. That is why the tortoise's shell looks cracked today."
3. Key Information from the Story
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| characters | the tortoise, the birds, the hosts in the sky |
| setting | a feast in the sky |
| problem | the tortoise tricked the birds and ate all the food |
| result | the birds took back their feathers; he fell and broke his shell |
| moral | greed and trickery bring punishment |
| explanation | why the tortoise's shell looks cracked |
4. Responding to What You Hear
After listening, retell the story in your own words, using the correct sequence. Give your opinion of the characters: "The tortoise was clever but greedy." Relate the moral to real life: "If we cheat our friends, they will stop trusting us."
New words
- listening comprehension
- Understanding what you hear.
- moral
- The lesson taught by a story.
- sequence
- The order of events.
- greed
- Wanting more than your fair share.
Summary
- Listen for characters, setting, problem, solution and moral.
- Take short notes and answer questions in complete sentences.
- Retell the story, give opinions and relate the moral to life.
Class activity: Listen and Retell
- Listen to the teacher read a story in your Ghanaian language.
- Write the key information in a table.
- Retell the story to your partner in the correct order.
You need: Printed photographs of familiar Ghanaian settings, Printed dialogue cards, Locally made puppets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. What new name did the tortoise give himself?
- A. All of You
- B. King of Birds
- C. Wise One
- D. Sky Walker
Show answer
Answer: All of YouHis trick.2. What happened to the tortoise at the end?
- A. He fell and his shell broke
- B. He became king
- C. He flew home
- D. He shared the food
Show answer
Answer: He fell and his shell brokeThe result.3. The birds lent the tortoise their feathers.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSo he could fly.4. The lesson taught by a story is its ______.
Show answer
Answer: morale.g. greed is punished.5. What is the moral of the story?
Show answer
Answer: Greed and trickery bring punishment.From the story.6. How does the story explain something in nature?
Show answer
Answer: It explains why the tortoise's shell looks cracked: it broke when he fell from the sky.Explanatory tale.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Reading
- Sub-strand
- Translation
- Indicator
- B7.3.2.1.1 – Translate words and phrases in his/her language
Introduction
Every language has expressions whose meaning cannot be guessed from their individual words. Translating them well requires knowing what they really mean.
1. Everyday Expressions
| Twi | Literal words | Meaning in English |
|---|---|---|
| Akwaaba | (you) came well | Welcome |
| Ayeekoo | (you have) done well | Well done |
| Due | (sympathy word) | Sorry / my condolences |
| Nante yie | walk well | Goodbye / safe journey |
| Me pa wo kyɛw | I beg you | Please / excuse me |
2. Idioms
Idiom: An expression whose meaning is different from the meanings of its individual words.
Twi example: "N'aso yɛ den" literally means "his ears are hard", but its meaning is "he is stubborn" or "he does not listen to advice". English example: "to let the cat out of the bag" means "to reveal a secret". When translating idioms, find an expression with the same meaning in the target language, or explain the meaning simply.
3. Translating Proverbs
Proverbs are wise sayings. "Abɔfra bɔ nwa na ɔmmɔ akyekyedeɛ" means "A child may crack a snail but not a tortoise", that is, a young person should take on tasks that suit their ability. A word-for-word translation keeps the picture, but you should add the meaning so that a reader from another culture understands.
4. Steps for Translating Expressions
- Identify whether the expression is literal or idiomatic.
- Find out its real meaning from context or from an elder.
- Look for an equivalent expression in the target language.
- If there is none, explain the meaning in simple words.
- Check that the translation fits the situation and tone.
New words
- expression
- A group of words with a special meaning.
- idiom
- An expression whose meaning differs from its individual words.
- equivalent
- Having the same meaning.
- context
- The situation in which words are used.
Summary
- Everyday expressions and idioms often cannot be translated word for word.
- Find an equivalent expression or explain the meaning simply.
- Proverbs may keep their picture in translation but need their meaning explained.
Class activity: Idiom Match
- Match Ghanaian-language idioms to their English meanings on cards.
- Use each idiom in a sentence.
- Explain one idiom to the class.
You need: Ghanaian-language storybook, Printed bilingual word cards, Exercise books, Pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. "Akwaaba" means…
- A. Welcome
- B. Goodbye
- C. Sorry
- D. Well done
Show answer
Answer: WelcomeGreeting.2. "N'aso yɛ den" means a person is…
- A. stubborn
- B. clever
- C. tall
- D. sick
Show answer
Answer: stubbornIdiom.3. Idioms should always be translated word for word.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseTranslate by meaning.4. An expression whose meaning differs from its words is an ______.
Show answer
Answer: idiomSpecial expression.5. Translate by meaning: "Nante yie".
Show answer
Answer: Goodbye, have a safe journey.Everyday expression.6. Explain how you would translate a proverb for an English reader.
Show answer
Answer: Give the proverb's picture in English and then explain its meaning, or use an English proverb with the same meaning.Picture plus meaning.
Homework
- Write the day names of everyone in your household.
- Collect five expressions or idioms in your Ghanaian language and translate them.