An Introduction 🇬🇭!

The Talking Drum Academy is building a global community of Akan Twi Language learners. Stay connected as we launch our first Online Course. 🇬🇭 www.talkingdrumacademy.com

The Significance of Language

The mass migration of humans spawned the thousands of communities that now populate the vast breadth of this planet we call home. Through this process we have developed different histories; deeply inter-connected but unique to their respective groups, and the necessity of coordination and bond formations to survive likely birthed the marvellous phenomena of language.

But language is much more than just a means of communication. Language captures a core part of culture, which is why learning my mother tongue has become an important endeavour for me.

Shame

If you’re reading this you are probably familiar with awkward scenario at a hall party when aunty attempts to engage with you in Twi knowing full well that after the “ɛte sɛn” “ɛyɛ” exchange, the conversation will come to an abrupt end.

However, that’s all it was — a temporary awkwardness which may or may not be followed by inquisitive remarks as to why you can’t speak your language; sometimes directed to your parents. Often, they manage to imply that it was our own lack of interest that meant that we didn’t pick up the language, but we all know that isn’t really the case…

Sure, most Ghanaians, particularly those that live outside of the country can speak English. You can quite realistically get around in Ghana without speaking a lick of any indigenous language, whether Twi, Ga or Ewe.

Nevertheless, there is always a feeling of not being able to fully immerse yourself in the experience of being part of a Ghanaian community when you can’t chip in your own two pence during a conversation. Or worse yet, if you don’t even understand what is being said around you! This is usually accompanied with a deep sense of shame.

Thus, 2020 marks our first steps on this journey. Through the Talking Drum Academy, I want to play my part in any way in supporting others to achieve their Twi goals whilst I work on achieving mine.

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Yɛbɛhyia bio!