Akan

AKA

wider communication

Dialects: Abura Fanti, Agona, Ahafo, Akuapem (Akuapim, Akwapem Twi, Akwapi, Twi), Akyem (Akyem Bosome), Anomabo Fanti, Asante (Achanti, Asanti, Ashante Twi), Asen, Bono, Dankyira, Fante (Fanti, Mfantse), Gomua, Kwawu (Kwahu).

Status Notes: De facto national working language.

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Volta-Congo
Kwa
Nyo
Potou-Tano
Tano
Central
Akan

Demographics: 8,300,000 in Ghana (2004 SIL). Population includes 2,800,000 Asante Twi, 1,900,000 Fante, 555,000 Akuapem Twi (2004). Population total all countries: 8,314,600. L2 users: 1,000,000 in Ghana.

Language Use: Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Abron [abr], Adele [ade], Ahanta [aha], Animere [anf], Anyin [any], Awutu [afu], Chala [cll], Cherepon [cpn], Chumburung [ncu], Deg [mzw], Delo [ntr], Dwang [nnu], Gikyode [acd], Gua [gwx], Konkomba [xon], Kplang [kph], Krache [kye], Larteh [lar], Lelemi [lef], Ligbi [lig], Nafaanra [nfr], Nchumbulu [nlu], Nkami [nkq], Nkonya [nko], Nzema [nzi], Sehwi [sfw], Sekpele [lip], Tumulung Sisaala [sil], Wasa [wss].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–10%. Taught in primary and secondary schools. New media. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1871–1964.

Typology: SVO.

Spoken In: Ghana

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Ghana

Other Comments: The two main subdivisions of Akan are assigned codes in the ISO 639-3 standard: Fanti (fat) and Twi (twi). Fanti dialects: Agona, Anomabo Fanti, Abura Fanti, Gomua. Twi dialects: Ahafo, Akuapem, Akyem, Asante, Asen, Dankyira, Kwawu.