Ghana is a multilingual country in which about eighty languages are spoken.[7] Of these, English, which was inherited from the colonial era, is the official language and lingua franca.[8][9] Of the languages indigenous to Ghana, Akan is the most widely spoken in the south.[10] Dagbani, Dagare, Sisaala, Waale, and Gonja are among the most widely spoken in the northern part of the country.
| Languages of Ghana | |
|---|---|
| Official | English[1][2] |
| Regional | Government-sponsored languages:[3] Fante, Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, Ewe, Dagaare, Dagbanli, Adangme, Ga, Gonja, Kasem, Nzema |
| Immigrant | |
| Foreign | French |
| Signed | Ghanaian Sign Language (American Sign Language) Adamorobe Sign Language Nanabin Sign Language |
| Lingua franca | English |
Ghana has more than seventy ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language.[11] Languages that belong to the same ethnic group are usually mutually intelligible. The Dagbanli, Nanumba and Mamprusi languages of Northern Region, are almost the same and, are mutually intelligible with the Frafra and Waali languages of the Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana.[12] The Mole–Dagbani languages are spoken by more than 20% of the population.
Eleven languages have the status of government-sponsored languages: three Akan dialects (Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi and Fante) and two Mole–Dagbani languages (Dagaare and Dagbanli). The others are Ewe, Dangme, Ga, Nzema, Gonja, and Kasem.[3]
In April 2019, the Ghanaian government declared its intention to make French one of Ghana's official languages due to the country being surrounded by Francophone countries (Burkina Faso to a lesser extent, the Ivory Coast and Togo) and the presence of a French speaking minority in the country.[13][14]
Government-sponsored languages
editThe number of government-sponsored languages is either eleven or nine, depending on whether or not Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, and Fante are considered a single language.[3] They are supported by the Bureau of Ghana Languages, which was established in 1951 and publishes materials in the languages; during the periods when Ghanaian languages were used in primary education, these were the languages which were used. All these languages belong to the Niger–Congo language family, though to several different branches.
Akan (Fante, Asante Twi and Akuapem Twi)
edit
Akan, part of the Kwa branch of the Niger–Congo family, is a dialect continuum,[15] but with regard to official status, only a few out of the many varieties of Akan are recognised: Fante, Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi. Taken as a whole, Akan is the most-widely spoken language in Ghana.[10]
Ewe
editEwe is a Gbe language, part of the Volta–Niger branch of the Niger–Congo family. The Ewe Language is spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin with a trace of the language in West Nigeria.[16] Out of the many dialects of Ewe spoken in Ghana, the major ones are Anlo, Tongu, Vedome, Gbi, and Krepi.
Dagbani
editDagbani is one of the Gur languages. It is the most spoken language in Northern Ghana. The number of native speakers numbers more than three million, This number will reach six million if dialects such as Nanumba, Mamprusi and Kamara are added. It belongs to the larger Mole–Dagbani ethnic group found in Ghana and makes up about 18.5% of the population.[17] It is spoken by Dagombas in the Northern Region of Ghana.
Dangme
editDangme is one of the Ga–Dangme languages within the Kwa branch. It is spoken in Greater Accra, in south-east Ghana and Togo.[18] Dangme is a West African Kwa language spoken in Ghana, and it has been gaining popularity among Ghana residents.
Dagaare
editDagaare is another of the Gur languages. It is spoken in the Upper West Region of Ghana. It is also spoken in Burkina Faso.[19] Waali, spoken by the Wala people, and the Dagaare language are languages that can be understood by each other's speakers.[20]
Ga
editGa is the other Ga–Dangme language within the Kwa branch. Ga is spoken in south-eastern Ghana, in and around the capital Accra. It is a Niger-Congo language in the Kwa branch, spoken by around 600,000 people in Ghana.[21][22] Six separate towns comprised the Ga-speaking peoples: Accra, Osu, Labadi, Teshi, Nungua, and Tema. Each town had a central stool of importance in Ga traditions. Accra, among these towns, rose to prominence and now serves as Ghana's capital.
Nzema
editNzema is one of the Bia languages, closely related to Akan. It is spoken by the Nzema people in the Western Region of Ghana. It is also spoken in the Ivory Coast. Nzema, also known as Appolo, is mainly spoken in Ghana's Jomoro district and Ivory Coast's Comoé district. In 2004, it had around 330,000 speakers.[23][24] The Nzema language utilizes a Latin-based script and comprises a total of twenty-four alphabetic characters.
Kasem
editKasem is a Gurunsi language, in the Gur branch. It is spoken in the Upper Eastern Region of Ghana. It is also spoken in Burkina Faso. By 1998, Kasem had around 250,000 speakers, divided between Ghana (130,000) and Burkina Faso (120,000). It's alternatively known as Kasena, Kasim, Kassem, Kasɩm, or Kassena.[25][26]
Gonja
editGonja is one of the Guang languages, part of the Tano languages within the Kwa branch along with Akan and Bia. It is spoken in the Northern Region of Ghana and Wa. "Gonja" comes from "Kada Goro-Jaa" in Hausa, signifying "land of Red Cola." Ghana has over 285,000 Gonja people.[27]
Languages spoken in Ghana by number of speakers
editThis chart reflects data provided by Ethnologue.[28]
| Rank | Language | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | 9,800,002 |
| 2 | Akan (Fante/Twi) | 9,100,000 |
| 3 | Ghanaian Pidgin English | 5,000,000 |
| 4 | Ewe Dialects of Ɛve include Aŋlo, Tɔŋu, Vɛdomɛ,Gbi, Krepi, among others) | 3,820,000 |
| 5 | Abron | 1,170,000 |
| 6 | Dagbani (including Mamprusi, and Nanumba dialects) | 6,160,000 |
| 7 | Dangme | 1,020,000 |
| 8 | Dagaare | 924,000 |
| 9 | Konkomba | 831,000 |
| 10 | Ga | 745,000 |
| 11 | Farefare | 638,000 |
| 12 | Kusaal | 535,000 |
| 13 | Mampruli | 414,000 |
| 14 | Gonja | 310,000 |
| 15 | Sehwi | 305,000 |
| 16 | Nzema | 299,000 |
| 17 | French | 273,795 |
| 18 | Wasa | 273,000 |
| 19 | Sisaala, Tumulung | 219,000 |
| 20 | Sisaala, Western | 219,000 |
| 21 | Bimoba | 176,000 |
| 22 | Ahanta | 175,000 |
| 23 | Ntcham | 169,000 |
| 24 | Buli | 168,000 |
| 25 | Bisa | 166,000 |
| 26 | Kasem | 149,000 |
| 27 | Tem | 134,000 |
| 28 | Cherepon | 132,000 |
| 29 | Birifor, Southern | 125,000 |
| 30 | Anufo | 91,300 |
| 31 | Wali | 84,800 |
| 32 | Larteh | 74,000 |
| 33 | Siwu | 71,900 |
| 34 | Chumburung | 69,000 |
| 35 | Anyin | 66,400 |
| 35 | Nafaanra | 61,000 |
| 36 | Krache | 58,000 |
| 37 | Lelemi | 48,900 |
| 38 | Deg | 42,900 |
| 39 | Paasaal | 36,000 |
| 40 | Kabre, (language kabre) | 35,642 |
| 41 | Avatime | 27,200 |
| 42 | Kulango, Bondoukou | 27,000 |
| 43 | Sekpele | 23,000 |
| 44 | Delo | 18,400 |
| 45 | Jwira-Pepesa | 18,000 |
| 46 | Gua | 17,600 |
| 47 | Tampulma | 16,000 |
| 48 | Kulango, Bouna | 15,500 |
| 49 | Ligbi | 15,000 |
| 50 | Nawuri | 14,000 |
| 51 | Vagla | 13,900 |
| 52 | Tuwuli | 11,400 |
| 53 | Selee | 11,300 |
| 54 | Adele | 11,000 |
| 55 | Nkonya | 11,000 |
| 56 | Gikyode | 10,400 |
| 57 | Dwang | 8,200 |
| 58 | Akposo | 7,500 |
| 59 | Logba | 7,500 |
| 60 | Nkami | 7,000 |
| 61 | Hanga | 6,800 |
| 62 | Nyangbo | 6,400 |
| 63 | Chakali | 6,000 |
| 64 | Ghanaian Sign Language | 6,000 |
| 65 | Safaliba | 5,000 |
| 66 | Tafi | 4,400 |
| 67 | Fulfulde, Maasina | 4,240 |
| 68 | Adangbe/Dangbe | 4,000 |
| 69 | Konni | 3,800 |
| 70 | Adamorobe Sign Language | 3,500 |
| 71 | Chala | 3,000 |
| 72 | Kamara | 3,000 |
| 73 | Kantosi | 2,300 |
| 74 | Kusuntu | 2,100 |
| 75 | Nchumbulu | 1,800 |
| 76 | Kplang | 1,600 |
| 77 | Dompo | 970 |
| 78 | Animere | 700 |
| 79 | Hausa | Unclear |
| 80 | Lama | 1 |
| 81 | Nawdm | Unclear |
Language classification
editThe language of Ghana belong to the following branches within the Niger–Congo language family:
- Kwa languages (Akan, Bia, Guang in Tano; Ga and Adangme)
- Gbe languages (Ewe)
- Gur languages (Gurunsi, Dagbani, Mossi, Dagaare, and Frafra in Oti–Volta)
- Senufo languages (Nafaanra)
- Kulango languages
- Mande languages (Wangara, Ligbi)
Older classifications may instead group them as Kwa, Gur, and Mande.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Language and Religion". Ghana Embassy. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
English is the official language of Ghana and is universally used in schools in addition to nine other local languages. The most widely spoken local languages are, Ga, Dagomba, Akan and Ewe.
- ^ "Ghana – 2010 Population and Housing Census" (PDF). Government of Ghana. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ a b c "The Bureau Of Ghana Languages-BGL". National Commission on Culture. 2006. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- ^ "Ghana Institute of Languages". gil.edu.gh. Ghana Institute of Languages. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ^ a b c "Immigration into Ghana Since 1990" (PDF). Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Legon. 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- ^ "Indian Community in Ghana". indiahc-ghana.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ^ "Ghana," in: Lewis, M. Paul, Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). 2014. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 17th ed.Murica Texas: SIL International.
- ^ "The Bureau Of Ghana Languages-BGL". Ghana Embassy Washington DC, USA. 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- ^ Bernd Kortmann Walter de Gruyter, 2004 (2004). A handbook of varieties of English. 1. Phonology, Volume 2. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9783110175325. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Introduction To The Verbal and Multi-Verbal system of Akan" (PDF). ling.hf.ntnu.no. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ^ Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai; John M. Chernoff (1992). "Master Drummers of Dagbon, Volumes 1 and 2". Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ^ R.S.Rattray Journal of the Royal African Society Vol. 30, No. 118 (Jan., 1931), pp. 40-57 (1931). "The Tribes of the Ashanti Hinterland" (1932)". Journal of the Royal African Society. 30 (118). Oxford University Press: 40–57. JSTOR 716938.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Ghana's president wants to make French a formal language, but it's not a popular plan". 7 April 2019.
- ^ "Ghana adopts French as its second official language". 21 March 2019.
- ^ "The Online Encyclopaedia of Written Systems Languages". Omniglot. 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- ^ "Verba Africana — Ewe background materials — The Ewe language". verbafricana.org. Retrieved 2019-05-18.
- ^ Richard Asante & E.Gyimah-Boadi (2004). "Ethnic Structure, Inequality and Governance of the Public Sector in Ghana" (PDF). United Nations Research Institute For Social Development (UNRISD). Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- ^ Ndetei, Chris (2019-09-23). "A look at the exciting facts of the Dangme language". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ "Dagaare language and alphabet". omniglot.com. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ "Upper West Region". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ "Ga language, alphabet and pronunciation". omniglot.com. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ "Ga | Ga People | West African Tribe, Language & Culture | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ Ndetei, Chris (2019-09-30). "Fascinating facts about the Nzema community and useful phrases". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "Nzema language, alphabet and pronunciation". www.omniglot.com. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "Kasem to English dictionary ". Lughayangu. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "Kasem language and alphabet". omniglot.com. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ Ndetei, Chris (2020-10-02). "Guan tribe: history, language, food, dance, festivals, facts". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "Ghana". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
External links
edit
- Ethnologue listing for Ghana
- Ethnologue map of languages in Ghana
- Owu-Ewie, Charles. 2006. The Language Policy of Education in Ghana: A Critical Look at the English-Only Language Policy of Education. In Selected Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, ed. John Mugane et al., 76-85. Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Proceedings Project.
- PanAfrican L10n wiki page on Ghana
- L'aménagement linguistique dans le monde page on Ghana
- GhanaWeb