Language is indeed a fascinating phenomenon. Thanks to the English language, given to Ghanaians by the British colonial masters and some languages Ghanaians have been exposed to, some words have indeed taken a seat in the word banks of Ghanaians to the extent you might think they are indeed words from the Ghanaian languages, while they are not.
What’s actually causing that is the language phenomenon known as “Code mixing and Code switching”. While Code-mixing in language refers to the practice of blending elements from two or more languages within a single conversation or even a single sentence, code-switching, on the other hand, refers to the practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects within a single conversation or interaction. It involves switching from one linguistic code (language or dialect) to another based on various factors such as context, social setting, audience, or speaker’s intentions.
Another language phenomenon causing this is lexical borrowing and nativization. Lexical borrowing involves the direct adoption of words or phrases from one language into another. Nativization refers to the process by which borrowed words are adapted or assimilated into the phonological, morphological, and syntactic patterns of the recipient language.
In May 2024, a Ghanaian tweep with the handle @ntimbarima made a post on X (formerly Twitter), asking his followers for words that sound like they are from various Ghanaian languages but are not. Here are some of the words that emerged, along with their actual origins:
- Accoutrements – French
- Pompous – Latin, Old English and French
- Huhudious – coined from the Akan term “Huhuuhu” (Dangerous)
- Skirmishes – English
- Knicker – Dutch
- Veranda – Portuguese
- Dross ~ pants/ underwear – English
- Macho – Spanish
- Cantankerous – English/ Irish
- Attire – Old French
- Vagabond – Latin/ Old French
- Kiosk – French
- Portmanteau – French
- Bloodyfool ~ Bledafool – English
- Ruffian – Unknown origin
- Impromptu – French/ Latin
- I quiet remember ~ Aqwairememba – English
- Catarrh – French
- Camouflage ~ Camofry – French
- Brutal ~ Brutaa – English
- Vim – Latin
- By heart ~ Baahat – English
- Camp boot ~ Camboo – English
- Kowtow – English
- Shun – English
- Vulcanizer ~ Borganizer – English
- Bogus – English
- Boss ~ Bossu – English
Have your say. What are some of the words or statements you think are Ghanaian but are not? Share with us on our website and on our socials.
Author: Ebenezer Kobinah Offen
Editor: Ama Gyesiwaa Quansah
