Saying Hard Things Gently

Level 6

Do not say Ɔhene awu (The chief is dead). Say Odupɔn atutu (A great tree has been uprooted) or Nana akɔ akuraa (Nana has gone to the village). For others, say Wafiri mu (He has passed on).

How It Works

1. Why speak gently
Akan politeness values indirect speech. Plain words for death, illness, the body and other sensitive subjects can sound rude, frightening or even taboo, so speakers use softer images. A speaker who does this well is admired.

2. The death of a chief
Never say Ɔhene awu (The chief is dead). Instead:

  • Odupɔn atutu. (A great tree has been uprooted.)
  • Nana akɔ akuraa. (Nana has gone to the village.)
  • Nana atoa ne mpanimfoɔ. (Nana has followed the elders.)

3. Anyone's death
For other people, death is spoken of as leaving: Wafiri mu (He has passed on, literally he has moved out) and Watwe ne ho (She has withdrawn). A grieving person may say Ade atɔ m'ani (Something has fallen into my eye). To the family, offer Damirifa due.

4. Other private matters
The same habit covers other private matters. A woman having her period may be described as Wakɔ afikyire (She has gone behind the house).

5. Pardon me: sɛbe
If you must mention something unpleasant, first say sɛbe (pardon me), especially before an elder or a chief: Sɛbe, Nana. It warns the listener and softens what follows.

6. The grammar
Most of these phrases use the perfect, because they describe a new state that is still true: atutu (has been uprooted), akɔ (has gone), wafiri (has left). See perfect for states.

Examples (6)

  1. Odupɔn atutu.

    A great tree has been uprooted.

    A chief has died.

  2. Nana akɔ akuraa.

    Nana has gone to the village.

    A chief has died.

  3. Nana atoa ne mpanimfoɔ.

    Nana has followed the elders.

    A chief has died and joined those who went before.

  4. Me wɔfa wafiri mu.

    My uncle has passed away.

    Word by Word: my uncle has-moved-out inside

  5. Wakɔ afikyire.

    She is having her period.

    Word by Word: she-has-gone behind-the-house

  6. Sɛbe, Nana, asɛm a mereka yi yɛ den.

    Pardon me, Nana, what I am saying is hard to hear.

    Word by Word: pardon, Nana, matter that I-am-saying this is hard

Common Mistakes

  • Announcing a chief's death with awu.

    Ɔhene awu.
    Odupɔn atutu.

    Awu (has died) is far too plain for a chief and is taboo. A chief's death is announced with an image, such as a great tree falling.

How It Connects

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Saying Hard Things GentlyLevel 6

Learn This First

Euphemism uses the indirect style and the perfect for states.