Basic 7 · Ghanaian Language · Rites of Passage
Names and Their Meanings, Register at Ceremonies and Translating Sentences
In this topic you will explain the kinds of names given in your community and their meanings, use appropriate register at ceremonies and gatherings, and translate short sentences between your Ghanaian language and English.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain different kinds of names and what they reveal
- Use appropriate register at ceremonies and gatherings
- Translate short sentences accurately and naturally
What you already know
- The naming ceremony
- Formal and informal register and translating words
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
- Rites of Passage
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.1.1 – Identify the processes involved in naming a child
Introduction
When you hear a Ghanaian name, you can often learn a lot about the person: the day they were born, their position in the family, the situation at their birth, or their family line.
1. Kinds of Names
| Kind | What it shows | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| day name | the day of the week on which the child was born | Kofi, Ama, Kɔdzo, Adzo |
| family (given) name | a name from the father's family, often of an ancestor | Owusu, Boateng, Agbeko |
| birth-order name | the child's position among siblings | Mensah (third), Nsiah (sixth) |
| circumstance name | events at the time of birth | Nyamekye (God's gift), Dzifa (peace) |
| twin names | children born as twins and those after them | Ata, Atta Panyin, Atsu, Etse, Tawia |
| religious name | the family's faith | Emmanuel, Fatima, Abdul |
2. Circumstance Names
Some names show how the parents felt or what happened. In Akan, "Nyamekye" means "God's gift", and "Odo" means "love". In Ewe, "Dzifa" means "peace of heart", "Mawuli" means "God exists" and "Sena" means "a gift". A child born after the death of the father may be given a name that remembers him. Such names carry the family's history.
3. Who Gives the Name?
In many Akan families, the father or his family names the child, while in some other groups the mother's family or a respected elder may choose. The name is usually decided before the ceremony and announced publicly during it. Naming a child after a respected relative is an honour, and that person is expected to guide the child.
4. Significance of Names
- Names give identity and show the child belongs to a family.
- They keep the memory of ancestors alive.
- They express the hopes and faith of the parents.
- Some names guide behaviour; a child named after a brave ancestor is encouraged to be brave.
New words
- day name
- A name given according to the day of birth.
- circumstance name
- A name that reflects events at birth.
- namesake
- A person after whom a child is named.
- identity
- Who a person is and where they belong.
Summary
- Ghanaian names show the day of birth, family, birth order, circumstances, twins or religion.
- Names give identity, honour ancestors and express hopes for the child.
- Many names come from the father's family and honour a namesake.
Class activity: Name Meanings Chart
- List the names of everyone in your group.
- Find out the kind and meaning of each name.
- Present a chart of names and meanings in your Ghanaian language.
You need: Printed photographs of a local naming ceremony, Calabash, Beads
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. "Nyamekye" means…
- A. God's gift
- B. a strong man
- C. born on Friday
- D. first child
Show answer
Answer: God's giftCircumstance name.2. A name that tells the child's position among siblings is a…
- A. birth-order name
- B. day name
- C. religious name
- D. nickname
Show answer
Answer: birth-order namee.g. Mensah.3. A namesake is the person after whom a child is named.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueOften a relative.4. A name given according to the day of birth is a ______ name.
Show answer
Answer: daye.g. Kofi.5. Give three kinds of names and an example of each.
Show answer
Answer: Day name: Ama; birth-order name: Mensah; circumstance name: Dzifa.Any three.6. Explain how a name can guide a person's behaviour.
Show answer
Answer: A child named after a respected ancestor is expected to live up to that person's qualities.Expectation.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Listening & Speaking
- Sub-strand
- Conversation and Everyday Discourse
- Indicator
- B7.2.1.1.1 – Use appropriate register in everyday communication (informal and formal) with diverse partners on grade-level topics/texts/issues
Introduction
At ceremonies such as naming, marriage, funerals and festivals, people speak in special ways. Knowing the right words and manners for each occasion shows respect.
1. Ceremonial Language
Ceremonies use formal register: greetings that follow a set order, titles, proverbs, praise names and formal phrases for welcoming, thanking and giving gifts. The chief or family head usually speaks through a linguist, and the speaker begins by greeting everyone present.
2. Order of Greetings at a Gathering
- Arrive and greet the people already seated, starting from your right.
- Shake hands with the right hand, moving round the gathering.
- Take your seat when shown.
- The hosts then come round to greet the visitors.
- The host asks for the visitors' mission ("amanneɛ" in Akan), and the visitors state their purpose.
3. Expressions for Ceremonies (Akan Examples)
| Occasion | Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| welcoming | "Akwaaba." | Welcome. |
| asking the mission | "Yɛbisa mo amanneɛ." | We ask for your news (your mission). |
| condolence at a funeral | "Due, due." | Sorry; I share your grief. |
| congratulations | "Ayeekoo." | Well done. |
| thanking for gifts | "Nyame nhyira mo." | May God bless you. |
4. Behaviour at Ceremonies
Dress suitably for the occasion, such as dark or red cloth for funerals and white for joyful events. Speak softly at funerals. Do not interrupt the linguist or the elders. Children are expected to greet, sit quietly and serve visitors when asked. These customs differ slightly between communities, so watch and learn from the elders.
New words
- condolence
- An expression of sympathy for someone who is grieving.
- mission
- The purpose of a visit.
- ceremonial
- Belonging to a formal ceremony.
- durbar
- A formal gathering of a chief and his people.
Summary
- Ceremonies use formal register, set greetings, titles, proverbs and linguists.
- Greet from the right, state your mission clearly and behave respectfully according to the occasion.
- Dress and behaviour should suit the occasion, such as speaking softly at funerals.
Class activity: Ceremony Drama
- Choose a ceremony such as a funeral or a marriage.
- Prepare a short drama showing the greetings and formal expressions used.
- Perform it in your Ghanaian language.
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. "Akwaaba" means…
- A. welcome
- B. goodbye
- C. sorry
- D. thank you
Show answer
Answer: welcomeAkan greeting.2. At a gathering, greetings usually begin from…
- A. the right
- B. the left
- C. the back
- D. the middle
Show answer
Answer: the rightCustom.3. Visitors state their mission after greetings.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThe host asks for it.4. An expression of sympathy for someone grieving is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: condolencee.g. "Due".5. Describe how visitors greet people at a gathering.
Show answer
Answer: They greet those seated from the right, shake hands with the right hand, sit when shown and later state their mission.Order.6. Why should children observe elders at ceremonies?
Show answer
Answer: Customs differ, and watching elders teaches the correct words and behaviour.Learning by observation.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Reading
- Sub-strand
- Translation
- Indicator
- B7.3.2.1.1 – Translate words and phrases in his/her language
Introduction
Translating a full sentence is more difficult than translating single words. You must understand the whole meaning, the tense and the grammar of both languages.
1. Steps in Translating a Sentence
- Read the sentence and understand its full meaning.
- Identify the subject, verb, object and time (tense).
- Think about how the idea is naturally expressed in the target language.
- Write the translation, following its grammar and word order.
- Read your translation aloud to check that it sounds natural.
2. Examples (English to Twi)
| English | Twi |
|---|---|
| I am going to school. | Merekɔ sukuu. |
| My mother is cooking. | Me maame renoa aduane. |
| Kofi came yesterday. | Kofi baa ha nnɛra. |
| Please give me water. | Mesrɛ wo, ma me nsuo. |
| We will play football tomorrow. | Yɛbɛbɔ bɔɔl ɔkyena. |
3. Tense in Translation
Tense must be translated correctly. In Twi, the prefix "re-" shows continuous action (merekɔ: I am going), "bɛ-" shows future action (mɛkɔ or mebɛkɔ: I will go), and the past is often shown by lengthening the final vowel or adding "-ɛ" (Kofi baa: Kofi came). Each Ghanaian language has its own way of showing time, so learn these patterns.
4. Common Mistakes
Avoid translating word by word: "How are you?" is not "Ɛdeɛn wo te?", but "Wo ho te sɛn?". Avoid mixing languages in one sentence unless there is no other word. Check spellings, including special letters such as ɛ and ɔ, because a wrong letter can change the meaning.
New words
- tense
- The verb form that shows time.
- literal translation
- Word-for-word translation.
- natural translation
- Translation that sounds like a native speaker.
- target language
- The language you translate into.
Summary
- Understand the full meaning, tense and structure before translating a sentence.
- Follow the grammar of the target language and avoid word-for-word translation.
- Tense and special letters such as ɛ and ɔ must be translated and spelt correctly.
Class activity: Sentence Translation Relay
- Each group receives ten English sentences.
- Translate them into your Ghanaian language, checking tense and spelling.
- Exchange with another group to check and correct.
You need: Ghanaian-language storybook, Printed bilingual word cards, Exercise books, Pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. "Merekɔ sukuu" means…
- A. I am going to school
- B. I went to school
- C. I will go to school
- D. I like school
Show answer
Answer: I am going to school"re-" shows continuous.2. Word-for-word translation is called…
- A. literal translation
- B. natural translation
- C. summary
- D. dictation
Show answer
Answer: literal translationOften unnatural.3. A wrong special letter such as ɛ or ɔ can change the meaning of a word.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSpelling matters.4. The verb form that shows time is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: tensePast, present, future.5. Translate into your Ghanaian language: "Please give me water."
Show answer
Answer: e.g. Twi: Mesrɛ wo, ma me nsuo.Accurate, natural.6. Why is literal translation often wrong?
Show answer
Answer: Languages have different grammar and expressions, so word-for-word versions may not make sense or sound natural.Different structures.
Homework
- Write five names in your family and their meanings.
- Translate five sentences about your daily routine into your Ghanaian language.