Basic 8 · Ghanaian Language · Term Preparation
Preparing for the Term in Ghanaian Language
In this topic you will review the customs, language skills and literature you studied in Basic 7, and plan a short language and culture project for the term.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Recall key ideas on customs and institutions from Basic 7
- Recall key language, writing and literature skills
- Plan to use your Ghanaian language more this term
What you already know
- Ghanaian Language, Basic 7
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Customs and Institutions
- Sub-strand
- Term Preparation
Introduction
Language and culture go together. Before we study new customs this term, let us remind ourselves of what we learned about naming, day names and clans.
1. Review of Customs
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| naming ceremony | usually on the eighth day; outdooring; water and drink; gifts; prayers |
| significance of naming | identity, truthfulness, family ties |
| day names | Kofi and Afia (Friday); Kwame and Amma (Saturday) |
| birth-order names | Manu, Mensah, Anan, Nsia, Badu; Ata and Tawia for twins |
| clan system | common ancestor; totems; matrilineal and patrilineal descent |
These customs mark important stages of life and show who we are. This term you will study puberty rites, which mark the change from childhood to adulthood, and look more closely at the importance of clans today.
2. Why Customs Matter
Customs pass on values from one generation to the next. They teach respect, responsibility, truthfulness and unity. When young people learn and speak about their customs in their own language, they keep their culture alive. Words for many traditional practices do not exist in English, so losing the language would mean losing part of the culture.
3. Learning from Elders
Elders are living libraries. Interview a grandparent, an older neighbour or a family head about a custom in your community. Prepare your questions in your Ghanaian language, greet the elder properly and listen with respect. Write down what you learn in your exercise book, using correct spelling and special letters.
4. Practical Review
In groups, choose one custom from the table. Prepare a short explanation in your Ghanaian language and present it to the class. Other learners listen and ask one question about it. This shows how much you remember and gives you practice in speaking formally.
5. Rites of Passage
A person's life passes through several stages, and many Ghanaian communities mark each with a ceremony. Naming welcomes a baby, puberty rites mark the change to adulthood, marriage joins two families, and funeral rites honour the dead. Together, these are called rites of passage. You studied naming in Basic 7; this term you will study puberty rites, so you will see how each stage teaches the values of the community.
New words
- custom
- A traditional practice of a people.
- generation
- People of about the same age in a family or society.
- elder
- An older, respected member of a community.
- value
- A belief about what is right and important.
Summary
- Basic 7 customs included naming, day names, birth-order names and clans.
- Customs pass on values, and language keeps culture alive.
- Elders are an important source of knowledge about customs.
Class activity: Custom Presentation
- Choose one custom from Basic 7.
- Prepare a short explanation in your Ghanaian language.
- Present it and answer one question from the class.
You need: Printed Ghanaian-language review cards, Exercise books, Pencils, Chalkboard, Chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. On which day is a baby usually named among the Akan?
- A. the eighth day
- B. the first day
- C. the twentieth day
- D. the second day
Show answer
Answer: the eighth dayNaming.2. An animal that represents a clan is its…
- A. totem
- B. proverb
- C. custom
- D. stool
Show answer
Answer: totemClan symbol.3. Customs pass on values to young people.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueTeaching.4. A traditional practice of a people is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: customTradition.5. State two values taught by the naming ceremony.
Show answer
Answer: Truthfulness and family unity (or identity, love).Any two.6. Why is losing a language also a loss of culture?
Show answer
Answer: Many cultural ideas and practices are expressed in words that exist only in that language.Language and culture.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Listening and Speaking
- Sub-strand
- Term Preparation
Introduction
Your Ghanaian language is a treasure. In this lesson you will review the language skills you have built and plan how to use the language more this term.
1. Review of Language Skills
| Area | Key points |
|---|---|
| register | formal for elders and ceremonies; informal for friends |
| sentences | simple, compound and complex |
| grammar | nouns, pronouns and adjectives (after the noun in Twi and Ewe) |
| vowels | oral vowels; special letters such as ɛ and ɔ; long vowels |
| translation | meaning first; natural expression |
| writing | paragraphs; three-paragraph narrative and descriptive essays |
| literature | oral literature, play songs, prose and drama |
2. What You Will Learn This Term
- Puberty rites: their processes, comparison and changes over time.
- Tones and narrating daily activities.
- Reading longer texts for main ideas and translating.
- Abstract and concrete nouns, and types of pronouns.
- Letter writing and argumentative essays.
- Proverbs and idioms.
- The importance of and threats to the clan system.
3. Using the Language Every Day
A language grows through use. Speak it at home and with friends, listen to news and drama on local radio, read any books, newspapers or church materials in the language and keep a notebook of new words and proverbs. Do not be ashamed of your mother tongue. Being able to speak and write more than one language is a great strength.
4. A Language and Culture Project
Throughout the term, build a small project. Choose a topic such as "Proverbs of my community" or "Customs of my people", and collect material in your notebook. At the end of the term, you will present it. Planning early means you will not need to rush.
5. Writing Your Language Correctly
Each Ghanaian language has a standard way of being written. Learn the letters of its alphabet, including special letters such as ɛ and ɔ, and note where words are joined or separated. Read widely so that correct spellings become familiar. Ask your teacher when you are unsure, because many words on signboards and in text messages are not spelt correctly.
New words
- mother tongue
- The first language a person learns.
- proverb
- A short wise saying.
- project
- A planned piece of work.
- bilingual
- Able to use two languages.
Summary
- Basic 7 covered register, sentences, grammar, vowels, translation, writing and literature.
- This term covers puberty rites, tones, letters, proverbs and clans.
- Using the language daily and planning a project will build your skills.
Class activity: Language Plan
- Write three ways you will use your Ghanaian language this term.
- Choose a topic for your language and culture project.
- Share your plan with a partner.
You need: Printed Ghanaian-language review cards, Exercise books, Pencils, Chalkboard, Chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The first language a person learns is the…
- A. mother tongue
- B. foreign language
- C. second language
- D. slang
Show answer
Answer: mother tongueFirst language.2. In Twi, adjectives usually come…
- A. after the noun
- B. before the noun
- C. at the end of a paragraph
- D. nowhere
Show answer
Answer: after the nounDan kɛseɛ.3. A language grows through use.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueDaily use.4. A person able to use two languages is ______.
Show answer
Answer: bilingualTwo languages.5. State three ways of improving your Ghanaian language.
Show answer
Answer: Speak it daily, listen to local radio, read books in it (or keep a word notebook).Any three.6. Why should learners not be ashamed of their mother tongue?
Show answer
Answer: It carries their identity and culture, and knowing several languages is a strength.Identity.
Homework
- Interview an elder about a custom in your community and write five sentences in your Ghanaian language.