The Tenacity of Akan Proverbs and their Contribution to the Development of the Ghanaian Language

Abstract

This investigation examined the tenacity of Akan proverbs and their contribution to the development of the Ghanaian Language. Akan proverbs have remained relevant and widely used in Akan society for generations. These proverbs are pithy statements that convey wisdom and moral lessons, often through the use of metaphors and analogies. They are typically transmitted orally from one generation to the next, and have been used to teach children and guide decision-making in various social contexts. The design adapted for this study was descriptive and the approach used was qualitative. Interview, observation and focused group discussions were the instruments used to collect data for this research work. Fifty (50) participants were interviewed for the investigation. The participants were drawn from Ashanti region to partake in this investigation. The investigation revealed that, in preservation of cultural heritage, proverbs play a significant role. It is one of the major tools for oral tradition and transmission. It was also identified that proverbs are supportive for Linguistic development and effective communication. The theories that underpinned this investigation are Richard L. Daft (1984) Linguistics richness theory and adaptability relevance theory.