Basic 9 · Ghanaian Language · Adjectives
Adjectives in Use, Describing Events and Songs of Courage
In this topic you will use adjectives in context, write descriptive compositions about events and study how drum language and war songs are used in performance today.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Use adjectives accurately in context
- Describe an event in linked paragraphs
- Analyse drum language and war songs as literature
What you already know
- Adjectives
- War songs
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Language & Usage
- Sub-strand
- Adjectives
- Indicator
- B9.4.2.2.1 – Discuss how adjectives follow each other in a sentence
Introduction
Grammar lives in real sentences. Here you will use adjectives in speech and writing in your own language.
1. Reviewing Position
| Akan | English |
|---|---|
| Me wɔ akokɔ kɛseɛ. | I have a big fowl. |
| Ɔdan fitaa no yɛ fɛ. | The white house is beautiful. |
| Mmofra nketewa no redi agorɔ. | The small children are playing. |
Notice that the article "no" comes after the adjective, at the end of the noun phrase. So, "the white house" is "ɔdan fitaa no". This is the reverse of the English pattern, and learners need to practise it.
2. Adjectives as Predicates
Adjectives can also follow a verb, as in "Ɔdan no yɛ kɛseɛ" (The house is big). The verb "yɛ" links the noun with its description. Similar patterns exist in other languages. Practise changing phrases into sentences: "ɔdan kɛseɛ" (a big house) becomes "ɔdan no yɛ kɛseɛ" (the house is big).
3. Comparing Things
| Akan | English |
|---|---|
| Kofi ware sene Yaw. | Kofi is taller than Yaw. |
| Kofi na ɔware paa. | Kofi is the tallest. |
Akan uses "sene", which means "to surpass", in order to make comparisons. This differs from English, which adds "-er" or "more". Look out for how your own language compares things, and write down some examples.
4. Practice
Choose an object in the classroom and describe it. Then compare it with another object. Next, write a short paragraph about your home, using at least five adjectives. Ask a partner to check their position and agreement. As you do this, try to use words from your language, not English loan words, and to choose words that are precise.
New words
- article
- A word such as "the".
- predicate
- The part of a sentence about the subject.
- compare
- To show how things differ.
- sene
- The Akan comparison word.
Summary
- "No" comes after the adjective in Akan.
- Adjectives can follow the verb "yɛ".
- Akan uses "sene" to compare.
Class activity: Compare It
- Compare two objects in your language.
- Check the word order.
- Share with the class.
You need: Kente cloth sample, Printed adjective cards, Chalkboard, Chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. "Ɔdan fitaa no" means…
- A. the white house
- B. a red car
- C. a big fowl
- D. the small child
Show answer
Answer: the white houseMeaning.2. Akan compares using…
- A. sene
- B. bio
- C. afei
- D. nanso
Show answer
Answer: seneComparison.3. "No" comes after the adjective in Akan.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueOrder.4. "Ɔdan no yɛ kɛseɛ" means the house is ______.
Show answer
Answer: bigMeaning.5. Translate "Kofi is taller than Yaw" into Akan.
Show answer
Answer: Kofi ware sene Yaw.Comparison.6. How does Akan differ from English in the noun phrase?
Show answer
Answer: The adjective follows the noun, and the article comes last.Order.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Composition Writing
- Sub-strand
- Descriptive Writing
- Indicator
- B9.5.1.1.1 – Plan and structure a range of extended texts using paragraphs to show progression from one idea to the next and linking paragraphs using cohesive language
Introduction
A festival, a wedding or a sports day offers plenty to describe. The skill lies in choosing the best details.
1. Organising by Time
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| 1 | what the event is, where and when |
| 2 | the preparation |
| 3 | the main activities |
| 4 | what you saw and heard |
| 5 | how it ended and what you felt |
Use time words such as "first", "afterwards" and "finally" in your language. Combine description with a sequence of events, so your reader feels that they are there. Choose one or two memorable moments and describe them in detail. Do not try to cover everything.
2. A Model (in English)
On the morning of Akwasidae, the palace grounds at Kumasi were already full. Umbrellas of red and gold turned slowly above the chiefs. The fontomfrom drums shook the ground, and the smell of roasted plantain drifted through the crowd. Then the Asantehene appeared, and everyone rose. I had never felt so proud of our history.
The writer uses colour, sound and smell, and then ends with a feeling. The sentence "Then the Asantehene appeared" marks the high point of the event.
3. Using Your Language's Riches
Use proverbs, praise names and traditional expressions. When you describe a chief, include some appropriate titles. Use the right terms for drums, dances and dress. This shows knowledge of your culture, and it adds beauty to your writing. Your examiner will value natural expressions over translated English.
4. Checking the Writing
Do your paragraphs follow in a logical order? Are the adjectives in the correct position? Are your plurals right? Have you used special letters properly? Are words divided correctly? Read aloud, and listen for sentences that do not sound right. A short, well-organised composition is better than a long, careless one.
New words
- event
- Something important that happens.
- high point
- The most exciting moment.
- preparation
- Getting ready for something.
- Akwasidae
- An Asante festival held every six weeks.
Summary
- Describe events in time order.
- Choose memorable details and include feelings.
- Use the riches of your own language.
Class activity: Event Report
- Choose a real event.
- Plan five paragraphs.
- Write the report in your language.
You need: Printed Ghanaian-language model text, Exercise books, Pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Events are usually described in…
- A. time order
- B. alphabetical order
- C. size order
- D. colour order
Show answer
Answer: time orderOrganisation.2. The model's high point is…
- A. the arrival of the Asantehene
- B. the roasted plantain
- C. the walk home
- D. the rain
Show answer
Answer: the arrival of the AsanteheneModel.3. Proverbs can enrich writing.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueStyle.4. Getting ready for something is ______.
Show answer
Answer: preparationVocabulary.5. List three things to check.
Show answer
Answer: Adjectives, plurals and word division.Any three.6. Why is a short, well-organised essay better than a long, careless one?
Show answer
Answer: It communicates clearly and contains fewer errors.Quality.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Literature
- Sub-strand
- Literature
- Indicator
- B9.6.1.1.1 – Explore drum language/appellations and war songs respectively
Introduction
Oral literature does not sit on a shelf. It lives in the voice, in the drum and in the crowd.
1. What Is Oral Literature?
Oral literature: Stories, songs and poetry passed on by word of mouth.
Oral literature includes folk tales, proverbs, riddles, libation prayers, dirges, drum language and war songs. It has been composed and handed down by communities over generations. Each performance can be different, because the performer responds to the audience. For this reason, it is as much about performance as it is about words.
2. Literary Features
| Device | Example |
|---|---|
| metaphor | The chief is a great tree. |
| simile | strong as a leopard |
| repetition | repeated praise names |
| imagery | pictures of forests and battles |
| symbolism | the porcupine for Asante |
3. Analysing a Praise Text (in English)
Consider these lines, written in the style of a praise chant: "Great tree that shelters the town, Leopard who sleeps with one eye open, When you cough, the forest listens." The tree shows protection, and the leopard shows watchfulness and danger. The final line uses exaggeration to show power. The chant is short, but it contains a whole portrait of a leader.
4. Oral Literature Today
Oral forms continue to live. Hiplife and gospel artists use proverbs and praise names. Radio presenters use the skills of traditional speakers. Politicians use drums and songs at rallies, and football fans sing to encourage their teams. Studying these forms links the past with the present. Make recordings of performances where you can, with permission, and write down the words. In this way, you can help to preserve them.
New words
- oral literature
- Literature passed on by word of mouth.
- dirge
- A song of mourning.
- imagery
- Pictures created by words.
- symbolism
- Using objects to stand for ideas.
Summary
- Oral literature lives through performance.
- Drum texts and songs use metaphor and repetition.
- It remains alive in modern music and media.
Class activity: Praise Poem
- Write a praise poem using metaphor.
- Add drumming or clapping.
- Perform it.
You need: Talking drum, Calabash rattle, Printed Ghanaian-language song cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A song of mourning is a…
- A. dirge
- B. riddle
- C. proverb
- D. greeting
Show answer
Answer: dirgeOral.2. "Leopard who sleeps with one eye open" suggests…
- A. watchfulness
- B. laziness
- C. hunger
- D. sadness
Show answer
Answer: watchfulnessImage.3. Oral literature can change with each performance.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TruePerformance.4. Pictures created by words are ______.
Show answer
Answer: imageryDevice.5. Name three forms of oral literature.
Show answer
Answer: Folk tales, proverbs and drum language.Any three.6. Why is performance important in oral literature?
Show answer
Answer: The performer responds to the audience, so meaning lives in the voice and action.Nature.
Homework
- Record or write down a short piece of oral literature from your community.