First Fante Dictionary Launched-gctid53287

[Okomfo Akosua]

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=227742

Accra, Jan. 15, GNA – The First ever Fanti Words and Idioms Dictionary  has been launched in Accra to promote the speaking of local languages  for national development.

The dictionary, which is the first edition, has words and idioms from  A-L aimed to preserve and promote the nation's rich culture form as well  as educate the populace, including tourists who visit the country every  time.

This would help government and civil society support the speaking of  local languages in their quest to demand improvement in the promotion of  traditional and cultural values and practices to accelerate  development.

The dictionary was started in 1968 by Right Reverend Joseph Bannermann  and later joined by Dr Kojo Arthur, the Late Mr Kwesi Dickson and the  Late Mr Daneil Edmund Krampah.

The Fanti dictionary has been arranged in an alphabetical order and  provides sources for some of the Fanti words derived from languages.

In addition, the dictionary has parts of speech and teaches how to use  some idiomatic expressions and also provides literal translations and  meanings.

Launching the dictionary in Accra, on Sunday, Most. Rev. Professor  Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, said  language was a unique developmental tool that needed the necessary  attention to contribute to the nation's human development.

He said the country had a rich cultural heritage but there was a need to show it to the world by promoting local languages.

Most Rev. Asante said the different races and people over the world  found their identity in their language, adding that, people without a  common language had no identity.

Dr Kojo Arthur, Co-Author, said the initiative was a culmination of a  long effort to provide an effective framework for the development of the  local languages and the nurturing of Ghana's cultural sector to make it  a relevant tool for education, enlightenment, national unity and  development.

He expressed the hope that the dictionary would enhance  the promotion of Ghanaian languages among the youth.

He appealed to government and organizations to support the initiative,  to enable them to have dictionaries in other Ghanaian languages.

Dr Arthur assured that the second edition from M-Z would be completed within four months.

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This is great news! Meda ase!