Places and their special names
We in Ghana are lucky. Our name is not crucified in pronunciation. Neither does it need to be translated. Ghana is Ghana in every language.
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A little difficulty only arises when others want to refer to who we are.
We might not be too aware of this but it is not very pleasant for other nationals to pronounce ‘Ghanaian’. Indeed, one sure way of confirming that a fellow is a foreigner, is by asking him to say 'Ghanaian'.
The Ghanaman has a special way of articulating his nationality.
The following is a gist of the confusion and injustice that some place-names suffer. Up to this day some English speakers still refer to La Cote d'Ivoire as ‘Ivory Coast.’ Many are those who are still not sure if the first syllable in Chicago is a 'Chi' or a 'Shi'. The’s’ at the end of Paris continues to pose a dilemma of discomfort.
How can Arkansas in the U.S. be pronounced 'Arkansaw'? And why on earth do the English not simply say Leicester as it is but rather 'Lester'. By the way, have you ever heard a Frenchman mention Johannesburg? I pray you don't experience that.
The kind of rendition which a place-name undergoes certainly makes it special. Through no fault of theirs, non-natives end up giving interesting twists to certain place-names. At times, it is the way the towners themselves refer to their home which enhances the specialness.
When they want to, Anlo speakers of the Volta Region, have a unique way of elipting the 'a' if it is the first letter in the name of a place. Thus, Agbozume metamorphoses into 'Gbozume'. Akasti simply becomes 'Katsi' and Aflao is shortened to 'Flao'. Also, by courtesy of some Ewe speakers, Nsawam is a special place. They refer to it as 'Misawam'.
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Way up in the north-westernmost part of Ghana is Hamile, another special town. From Hamile one steps into Burkina Faso. Through a big indiscretion (either copycatism or colonialism) the town across the border is also known as Hamile.
So we have two different towns located in two different countries bearing the same name. But do not despair. The Francophones came up with an answer. They declared the Ghana side 'Hamile Zongo'. Voila la solution.
I believe we are quite familiar with some Fanti towns and their special names. Winneba=Simpa, Saltpond=Akyemfo, Elmina=Edina, etc. We can safely assume that their original names were in use until foreign influence led to the other names.
But can someone please explain how, and especially when Koforidua became 'Koftown', Kumasi 'Oseikrom' and Takoradi 'Taadi'?
Fact is familiarity plays a trick in this issue of places and their special names. When we are familiar with the name it sounds normal when it is new it appears odd. I used to think that the township in the capital called Fish Pond sounded queer until I remembered Pig Farm, a place-name no one has officially complained about.
Sandema is one Builsa town with a special name. How? The natives swallow the 'a' at the end of the name. In Paga, the land of the crocodiles, the second syllable of the town's name is not 'ga'. The sound is rather something close to 'ha'.
You can actually sound it right when you 'pa' and then quickly simulate a dry cough. Also, while you and I sweat and toil to enunciate Navrongo, the true native will just use half the effort. The name is ‘Navoror.’
By the way, which are more special? The No.1 group of towns or their No.2 counterparts? I guess we should leave that debate to the Tikobos, the Egyaas and the Pakyis. Then the contest between the Upper and Lower areas. Here, the Bobikumas and the Denkyiras will no doubt be in contention.
As for Half Assini, having already been allotted its portion, it has no one to share anything with.
How about cardinal point designated place-names? Ah, they can be special, especially when they are coined for the purpose of euphemism. Please don’t pretend. You know what I mean.
For instance, when the part of Nima which borders Kanda is referred to, not as Nima, but West Kanda. And then a part of our own Alajo is referred to as South Dzorwulu. Got it?
Not too long ago, Legon ‘was’ surrounded by Okponglo, Bawaleshie, Shiashi, Haatso etc. Suddenly, certain folks have become shy of these indigenous names.
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Scenario check: When a guy is sweet talking a Kissiman young lady he has just met, she is likely to say that she resides not at good old Kissiman but West Legon. Wanna bet?
kofiakpabli@yahoo.com