Asante, Akuapem and Fante

Level 1

Akan has three written varieties: Asante Twi (taught here), Akuapem Twi and Fante. They share one grammar and one alphabet, but some words, spellings and sounds differ.

How It Works

One language, three written traditions. Akan grew three written standards: Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi and Fante. In 1978 they were given one shared spelling system. Akuapem was the first variety used for the Bible, so a lot of printed Twi uses Akuapem forms. Asante Twi is spoken very widely, and it is what this course teaches.

Asante and Akuapem. The grammar is the same. The differences are mostly in words and endings:

  • yes: aane (Asante), yiw (Akuapem)
  • who: hwan (Asante), hena (Akuapem)
  • because: ɛfiri sɛ (Asante), efisɛ (Akuapem)
  • write: twerɛ (Asante), kyerɛw (Akuapem)
  • book: nwoma (Asante), nhoma (Akuapem)
  • water: nsuo (Asante), nsu (Akuapem)

Asante often ends a clause or a noun with an extra vowel that Akuapem leaves off: ɔbaeɛ (he came; Akuapem ɔbae), awerɛhoɔ (sorrow; Akuapem awerɛhow). See past at clause end, Akuapem forms in print and Asante and Akuapem verb forms.

Fante. Fante, spoken in the coastal Central Region around Cape Coast, shares the grammar but has more differences. Before front vowels such as i and e, it turns t and d into ts and dz: Fante dzin for din (name), and Wo ho tse dɛn? for Asante Wo ho te sɛn? (How are you?). Yes is nyew, and some pronouns and everyday words differ. See Fante recognition.

What this means for you. Speak and write Asante forms, but expect to read Akuapem in books and hear Fante on the coast. When you meet a word from another variety, it is a regional form, not a mistake.

Examples (5)

  1. Hwan na ɔbaeɛ?

    Who came?

    Word by Word: Who (it-is) he-came?

    Akuapem says Hena na ɔbae?, with hena for who and no final ɛ.

  2. Aane, mete Twi kakra.

    Yes, I understand a little Twi.

    Word by Word: Yes, I-hear Twi a-little.

    Akuapem says Yiw for yes, and Fante says Nyew.

  3. Fa nwoma no bra.

    Bring the book.

    Word by Word: Take book the come.

    Akuapem writes Fa nhoma no bra. The grammar is the same.

  4. Merekɔ fie ɛfiri sɛ ɛkɔm de me.

    I am going home because I am hungry.

    Word by Word: I-am-going home because hunger holds me.

    Akuapem writes efisɛ where Asante writes ɛfiri sɛ.

  5. Wo ho te sɛn?

    How are you?

    Word by Word: Your body is how?

    In Fante this greeting is Wo ho tse dɛn?

Common Mistakes

  • Writing kyerɛ (show) when you mean write.

    Kyerɛ wo din.
    Twerɛ wo din.

    Kyerɛ means show, so the incorrect sentence does not ask someone to write their name. For write, use Asante twerɛ, or Akuapem kyerɛw with its final w.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Asante, Akuapem and FanteLevel 1

Words in This Pattern

hwanɛhena