Twi ([tɕᶣi]) is the common name of the literary dialects of the Akan language of Asante and Akuapem, but excluding Fante.[1] It is not a linguistic grouping, as Akuapem is closer to Fante than it is to Asante.[2] Twi generally subsumes the following Akan dialects: Ahafo, Akuapem, Akyem, Asante, Asen, Dankyira and Kwawu, which have about 4.4 million speakers in southern and central Ghana.[3]

Twi
Pronunciation[tɕᶣi]
Native toGhana
RegionAshanti Region
Ethnicity
Dialects
Latin
Official status
Official language in
Ashanti Region
Recognised minority
language in
Regulated byAkan Orthography Committee
Language codes
ISO 639-1tw
ISO 639-2twi
ISO 639-3twi (see [aka] for Ethnologue description)
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Etymology

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The name "Twi" is derived from the name of a Bono king, Nana Baffuor Twi.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Arhin, Kwame; Studies, University of Ghana Institute of African (1979). A Profile of Brong Kyempim: Essays on the Archaeology, History, Language and Politics of the Brong Peoples of Ghana. Afram.
  2. ^ Dolphyne, Florence Abena (1986) The languages of the Akan peoples. Research review. Vol. 2 No. 1, Pages 1-22[1] University of Ghana.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference e27 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ The Akan of Ghana: Their Ancient Beliefs. Faber & Faber. 1958.
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