JOURNAL TRANSCRIPT
TWI MEDICAL GLOSSARY NAMES OF SOME DISEASES AND CLINICAL TERMS IN TWI
(NYAREWA NE AYARESABEA NS{MFUA BINOM DIN W} TWI KASA MU)
KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
KOMFO ANOKYE TEACHING HOSPITAL
UNIVERSTIY OF MICHIGAN
This publication was supported by MEPI Award Number R24TW008899 from the Fogarty International Center. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Fogarty International Center or the National Institutes of Health, USA.
Twi Medical Glossary
© 2016. Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Project, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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MEPI-GHANA College of Health Science Office of the Provost PMB - UPO Kumasi - Ghana Mob: +233 50 835 1306 Email:
[email protected] Book layout & cover design Benjamin Prempeh Bismark Sabeng Amoateng Illustrations Isaac Art works ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The compilation of this glossary is an activity under the PEPFAR funded Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) award through National Institutes of Health/ FIC to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST (2010-2015). The supplemental funds that made this particular work possible came from the Office of the Director, Office of AIDS Research, National Institute of Health (NIH), USA. We acknowledge the role played by all collaborating KNUST – MEPI partners including KNUST, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and University of Michigan (UM), Ministry of Health (MOH), and Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS). Special thanks go to the underlisted members of the technical group. Mr. Emmanuel Antwi Fordjour KNUST Dr. Mrs. Gyikua Plange-Rhule KNUST/KATH Mr. Bernard Asamoah Barnie KNUST Ms. Nadia Tagoe KNUST Dr. Charles Ofosu Marfo KNUST Dr. George Oduro KATH Prof. Peter Donkor KNUST/KATH Several doctors at KATH granted interviews which formed the basis for the compilation of the glossary. Among them are Dr. Justice Sylverken, Dr. Rita Reindorf, Dr. Sandra Kwarteng, Dr. Joseph Akpaloo, Dr. Kathryn Spangenberg, Dr. Betty Norman, Dr. Robert Larmie, Dr. Paa Kobina Forson, Dr. Anna Konney, Dr. Mary Amoah, Dr. Patrick Karikari, Dr. Dominic Awariyah, Dr. Edwin Appiah Kubi and Dr. Kwaku Nyame. We also acknowledge the following persons for participating in the final review of the document: Dr. Emmanuel Adu, Dr. Sampson Antwi, Dr. Erica Kuma, Dr. Alexander Oti Acheampong, Dr. Eno Akua Biney, Ms. iii
Marie Ntow, Ms. Benedita Boatemaa Boakye, Mrs. Florence Aboh, Opanin Opare Wade and Ms. Clara Efua Mensah. We wish to express our gratitude to the Dean, School of Medical Sciences, and the Head, Department of Modern Languages, KNUST for their encouragement; and all others, especially staff of the Emergency Medicine Directorate of KATH for their various inputs into this document.
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FOREWORD Language barrier negatively affects patient-clinician communication. One of the sources of confidentiality breaches in medical practice is through the use of untrained interpreters during medical consultations. Where confidentiality cannot be assured, patients will often keep valuable information from their health care providers. This is true when the medical condition of the patient may be associated with stigmatization, such as HIV/AIDS. The glossary aims to reduce the dependence of non speaking Twi health workers on interpreters and thus contribute to building patients’ trust. The development of the glossary was motivated by the need to tackle the language barrier faced by clinical providers at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana who have limited or no knowledge of the Twi language. These include doctors, nurses, and local and international health researchers. Over the years the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s School of Medical Sciences has been enrolling an increasing number of foreign students, and Ghanaian students who are not conversant with the Twi language. There is therefore the need for a resource to assist these students to learn “medical Twi”. This Twi medical glossary is a compilation of common words and phrases encountered in clinical practice. It is meant to serve as a quick reference document only and is far from being comprehensive. The booklet presents a glossary of medical terms in both Twi and English, and includes words, phrases, and common expressions. It covers the major medical disciplines namely Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics/ Gynaecology, and Dentistry. The methodology used in compiling the glossary comprised: i) consultations with known experts of the Twi language, ii) interviews with selected medical practitioners, and iii) references to available literature.
v
It is expected that this booklet will be used by students (both foreign and local), clinicians and researchers. User feedback will be invaluable future editions. It is anticipated that interest in developing similar glossaries in other Ghanaian languages will also be stimulated. Professor Peter Donkor Principal Investigator MEPI-KNUST
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
iii v vii xi
THE HUMAN BODY - NNIPADUA AKWAA NO NKYER{MU 1 TWI →→ ENGLISH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 }baa Nnipadua Anim – Front View of a Female 2 Barima Nnipadua No Akwaa - Front View of a Male 5 NAMES OF SOME MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN TWI - NYAREWA BINOM W} TWI KASA MU. . . . . . . . . . . . 8 TWI →→ ENGLISH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SOME COMMON MEDICAL EXPRESSIONS 18 TWI →→ ENGLISH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 AILMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 TWI →→ ENGLISH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 1. Tiyare[/ Tipae[ – Headache. . . . . . . . . . 26 2. Ani – Eye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 3. Aso – Ear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 4. {se – Teeth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 5. Menemu – Throat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 6. Nsa – Hand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 7. Abatire – Shoulder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 8. Nofo] – Breast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 9. Koko Yade[ – Chest Pain. . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 10. Mfe – Rib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 11. Funuma – Navel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 12. Yafunu Yade{ – Abdominal Pains . . . . . 31 13. Ahotutuo – Body Pains . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 14. Nan – Leg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 vii
NNA MU YADE{ - SEXUAL/ GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS 34 TWI →→ ENGLISH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 De[ [fa }barima ho - Concerning Men. . . . 35 Impotence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Concerning the Genital Organ . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Expressions With The HIV/AIDS Virus. . . . 36 De[ [fa }baa ho - Concerning Women. . . . . 36 Interaction Between A Doctor And A Patient 38
GENERAL AILMENTS, FEVER AND COUGH 39 TWI →→ ENGLISH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 The Pediatric Emergency Unit. . . . . . . . . . . 40 Fever Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Ewa – Cough. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Bosome a [w] Afe mu - Months in the Year. 44 Nna a [w] Nnaw]twe mu - Days in the Week 44 INDEX (TWI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 NNIPADUA AKWAA NO NKYER{MU - THE DIAGRAM OF THE HUMAN BODY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 ENGLISH →→ TWI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Front View of a Female – }baa Nnipadua Anim 55 Front View of a Male - Barima Nnipadua No Akwa 58 NYAREWA BINOM W} TWI KASA MU. . 62 ENGLISH →→ TWI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
SOME COMMON MEDICAL EXPRESSIONS - NYAWERA BI A EW} NNIPADUA AKWAA AHODO} MU
72
AILMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY - NYAWERA BI A EW} NNIPADUA AKWAA AHODO} MU 78 1. Headache – Tiyare[/ Tipae[. . . . . . . . . . 79 2. Eye – Ani. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 viii
3. Ear – Aso. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. Teeth - {se. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. Throat – Menemu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. Hand – Nsa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7. Shoulder – Abatire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8. Breast – Nofo]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. Chest Pain – Koko Yade[.. . . . . . . . . . . . 10. Rib – Mfe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11. Navel – Funuma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.Abdominal Pains – Yafunu Yade[. . . . . . 13. Body Pains – Ahotutuo . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14. Leg – Nan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
80 80 81 82 82 82 82 83 83 83 84 84
SEXUAL/ GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS - NNA MU YADE{ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 ENGLISH →→ TWI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Concerning Men. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Impotence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Concerning the Genital Organ . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Expressions With the HIV/AIDS Virus. . . . . 88 Concerning Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Interaction Between a Doctor and a Patient. 90
GENERAL AILMENTS, FEVER and COUGH 91 ENGLISH →→ TWI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 The Pediatric Emergency Unit. . . . . . . . . . . 92 Fever Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Cough – {wa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Months in the Year - Bosome a [w] Afe mu. 96 Days of the Week - Nna a [w] Nnaw]twe mu 96 INDEX (ENGLISH). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
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INTRODUCTION The College of Health Sciences in collaboration with The Department of Modern Languages, KNUST collaborated on this project to develop a Twi Medical glossary to remove the language barrier that impedes the dispensation of medical diagnoses. Some patients go to the hospital not knowing how to express their ailments to the best understanding of Non-Twi speaking health practitioners, as well as others who are not well-versed in the Twi language. Some doctors resort to interpreters to enable them comprehend the complaints of their patients. Some patients also feel reluctant and uncomfortable disclosing their ailments in the presence of a third party. The scope of this work was to come out with some capture of the words and expressions that patients use but which practitioners find difficult to comprehend. Some health practitioners from different departments in the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Kumasi were selected for the interview. In some departments such as the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and at the Accident and Emergency Unit, groups of doctors were interviewed together. A gynaecologist from the Manhyia Polyclinic in Kumasi was also interviewed to augment that of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
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NNIPADUA AKWAA NO NKYER{MU THE DIAGRAM OF THE HUMAN BODY
TWI →→ ENGLISH
1
The human body
}BAA NNIPADUA ANIM – FRONT VIEW OF A FEMALE
2
The human body
TWI 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.
ENGLISH
Etire Head Momma Fore head Aniakyi nwi Eyebrow Anint]n nwi Eye lid Hwene Nose Ano Mouth Ab]dwe[ Chin {k]n Neck Tirinwii Hair Ani Eyes Aso Ear Afono Cheek Batire Shoulder Nofo] Breast Nofo] ano Nipple Nsa Hand Nsateaa Fingers Nsayam Palm Mm]toam Armpit Mfe Rib Batw[ Elbow Afuro Stomach Sisie Waist Asene/ Ayaase[ Abdomen {tw[ Vagina Sr[ Thigh 3
The human body
TWI 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39.
ENGLISH
Kotodwe Knee Nan Leg Nammoromu/ Nantabono Foot Nansoa Toe Nan b]wer[/ Mm]wer[ Toe nails Asoakyi Back of the ear K]n akyi Back of the neck Nsaakyi Back of Palm Akyiri dompe Back bone Akyi Back {to] Buttocks Nantuo Calf Nan mmoromu Arc of the foot
4
The human body
BARIMA NNIPADUA NO AKWA - FRONT VIEW OF A MALE
5
The human body
TWI 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.
ENGLISH
Etire Head Moma Forehead Ani Eye Hwene Nose Afono Cheek Ano Mouth Ab]dwe[ Chin Tirinwii Hair Ani akyi nwi Eyebrow Aso Ear {k]n Neck Nsatea Fingers Nsayam Palm Batw[ Elbow Mfe Ribs Sisie Waist Batire Shoulder Koko] Chest Nofo] Breast Afuro Stomach Funuma Navel Nsa Hand Hwowa Testicles K]te[ Penis Nan Leg Namm]n/ nantabono Foot 6
The human body
TWI 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.
ENGLISH
Sr[ Thigh Kotodwe Knee Namp]so Ankle Nansoaa Toes Aso akyi Back of the ear {k]n akyi Back of the neck Nsaakyi Back of the hand Akyiri dompe/ Br[mo] Back bone Akyi Back {to] Buttocks Nantuo Calf Nan mmoromu Arc of the foot
7
NYAREWA BINOM W} TWI KASA MU NAMES OF SOME MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN TWI
TWI →→ ENGLISH
8
A
A Abofono
– Nausea
Afikyik] mu yare[
– Menstrual disorder
Afe[fe[
– Feverishness
Agyemmirekutu
– Mumps
Ah]n]n
– Rickets, Bow-legged
Ahaamu nsaa
– Perineal rash
Aho]hene
– Irritation, itching
Aho]hye[
– High temperature, Fever
Ahotutuo
– Body pains/ Sickle Cell Disease/Rheumatism
Ahonhono
– General Body swelling/ Anasarca
Ahwenep]n
– Bleeding from the nose /Epistaxis
Akoma mu tokuro
– Hole in heart
Akomayare[
– Heart disease
Akyakya
– Hunch back
Akyiyare[
– Backache/Back Disorders
Amuntum
– Sleep paralysis
Ananse
– shingles
Ananse akye me
– Tingling sensation / Paraesthesia
Ananta
– Knock knees
Ani a [poro nsuo
– Watering / Tearing eye
Ani a [so y[ wisiwisi/ Wantanworann – Blurred vision Ani a [twa nkyene – Eye discharge 9
A Ani a [so y[ tumm
– Dizziness/ Blurred vision
Anidane
– Menstrual pain
Anifira
– Blindness
Anikyew
– Squint
Anisobirie
– Dizziness/ Vertigo
Anumkankan
– Foul Breath/ Halitosis
Anumkuro
– Sore in the mouth
Ap]n
– Miscarriage
Apor]por]
– Foot rot
Asabra
– Diarrhoea in a newborn
Asensen
– Tetanus / Tonic Seizure
Asikyireyare[
– Diabetes
Asofitie
– Ear discharge
Asoroben
– Migraine
Asosiy[
– Deafness
Asram
– New born illness
Asram Ntoosi
– Impetifo
Asram Punin
– Hydrocephalus
Asram Br]dedwo
– Marasmus
Atiridii
– Malaria
Atiridinini
– Typhoid/ Severe Malaria
Ayamhyehye[
– Panic/Anxiety
Ayamtim
– Constipation
Ayamtuo
– Diarrhoea/ Running Stomach
Ayamtuo br[fo]
– Cholera 10
B-D
B Babaso
– Gonorrhoea
Babasokraman/ Babasonini
– Syphilis
Babasower[mfo]
– HIV/AIDS
Ber[bo] mu kokoram – Liver cancer Ber[bo] mu yare[
– Liver Disease /Hepatitis
Bonini
– Barreness (on the part of a female)
Buropete
– Chicken pox
D Damm]
– Madness
Dehye[
– Stye /Chalazion
Dompe mu kokoram – Bone cancer Dwoa
– Lump /Lymph Node Swelling
Dwons]k[t[so/ Dwons]krobo – Bedwetting Dwons]mmogya – Bloody urine (Haematuria) Dwons]twaa mu kokoram
– Bladder cancer
Dwons]yaayaa
– Pain in the genital organ when passing urine( Dysuria)
11
E-{
E Ebunu
– Jaundice / Fever
Edwie
– Head/Body lice
Ekuro
– Sore / Ulcer
Etwer[
– Fits/ Epilepsy
{ {fe[
– Vomiting
{femfem
– Hypersensitive Feeling/ Tingling
{hoa
– Dandruff
{ka me/ {keka me
– Colicky pain
{keka me
– Itching
{kor]
– Pityriasis Vesicolor
{nna mu yare[
– Sexually transmitted disease
{p]
– Skin rash due to allergy /Urticaria
{p]n
– Miscarriage/ Seizure/Convulsion in children
{t[
– Cataract/ Leucorrhoea
{hyehye me
– Burning sensation
{se keka
– Loose tooth
{two
– Hydrocele / Scrotal Swelling
{wa
– Cough
{we me
– Gnawing pain
{yam
– Ringworm 12
F-K
F Funumatu
– Umbilical Hernia
G Gyepim
– Elephantiasis
Gyemmirekutu
– Mumps
H Honam Kankan
– Body odour
Honamyaa
– General body pains
Hurae[/Ebunu
– Jaundice/ Fever
Hwene mu a [s]ne nsuo – Running nose Hwenemusie – Blocked Nose/ Catarrh /Nasal Congestion
K K]k]bo /K]k]boyare[
– Rectal Prolapse
K]mp]
– Goitre
K]tewui[
– Impotence
Kaka
– Toothache/ Fungal Nail Infection
Kakagya
– Fungal Nail Infection/ Paronychia
Kakawirewire
– Tinea Capitis /Ring worm on the scalp 13
K-M Kokoram
– Cancer
Konkoraa
– Bloody mucoid diarrhoea/ Dysentery
Kooko
– Piles / Haemorrhoids
Kramanyare[
– Rabies
Krawa
– Male Infertility
Krotoa,
– Asthma / COPD
Kwata
– Leprosy
M Menemu kokoram
– Throat cancer
Menemukuro
– Sore throat
Mente pampan
– Anosmie
Mfa
– Guinea worm
Mfifirensaa/ Mfifisaa – Heat rash Mm]bor] abo me
– Bee sting
Mmogyammoroso]/ Mmogyaboroso] – Hypertension Mmubuo
– Paralysis, Polio
Mogyasote[/ Mogyawe[
– Anaemia
Mogyatuo
– Bleeding/ Haemorrhage
Mp]mp]
– Boil /Abscess
Mpafe
– Pains in the ribs / Chest pain
Mum
– Dumbness
Muyare[
– Chest disease 14
N
N Nk]nk]n
– Whooping cough
Nkonto
– Rickets, Bow-legged
Nketenkete
– Hunger in the night/hunger pangs/hypoglycaemia
Nkor]mo
– Snoring
Nkudaa
– Chronic Ulcer /Non-healing Ulcer
Nkwee
– Hernia
Nnwodwo]
– Stroke / Paralysis
Nofo] mu kokoram – Breast cancer Nsaa
– Rash
Nsaanini
– Pimples/Acne
Nsamanwa
– Tuberculosis
Nsonomuyare[
– Intestinal disease
Nsonkuronsuo
– Bedbugs
Nt[nky[m
– Measles
Ntasuoakoram
– Pain in the throat when swallowing
Ntehyeewa
– Asthma
Nwaahono
– Cold sore/ Herpes labialis
Nyins[n a ant] awode[ mu
– Ectopic pregnancy
Nyins[n a as[e
– Miscarriage
Nyins[n so bubuo
– Threatened Abortion
Nyins[n tuguo/ Nyins[n yiguo
– Abortion 15
O-T
O Odeepua
– Vaginal discharge /Candidiasis
P Pampan
– Odour
Papuu
– Common cold
S Sisiyare[
– Waist pain
Sasabor]
– Rheumatism
Saa mu yare[/ Sawa mu yare[
– Kidney disease
Sepor]e[
– Tooth decay/ Dental Caries
Somor]
– Tick
T Tipae[
– Headache
Tiyare[
– Sinusitis/ Cold / Headache
Tiri mu dwie
– Hair lice
Tirimukuro
– Sinusitis
16
W-Y
W Wede[ mu kokoram – Skin cancer
Y Yafunukeka
– Abdominal pain
Yamkuro
– Stomach ulcer
Yamtuo
– Diarrhoea
Yarefufuo
– Fever
17
SOME COMMON MEDICAL EXPRESSIONS
TWI →→ ENGLISH 1. Agyemmirekutu ay[ me I have contracted mumps. 2. Me ho ay[ hye I have a fever. 3. Me ho aben I have a fever. 4. Me nan ahono My leg is swollen. 5. Me nan ase ataetae My feet are swollen. 6. M’afuru ahy[ / ahono Abdominal distention. 7. Me ho y[ me hene My body itches. 8. Meyare akomayare[ I have a heart disease. 9. Mep]n ahwene I have nose bleeds/ Epistaxis. 10. M’akyi y[ me ya I have back pain/ache. 11. M’ani so biri me I feel dizzy.
Some common medical expressions
12. M’ani nhunu ade[ I cannot see. 13. M’ani afira I am blind. 14. Apor]por] ay[ me I have foot rot. 15. Meyare asikyireyare[ I am suffering from diabetes. 16. M’aso fiti My ear discharges. 17. Me yam hyehye me I am anxious / panicky. 18. {y[ a na me yam ahye me I get panic attacks. 19. Me yam atim I have constipation. 20. Mentumi nnya me nan I cannot pass stool / constipation. 21. Me yam tu I have diarrhoea/ running stomach. 22. Babaso ay[ me I have gonorrhoea. 23. Mew] ber[bo] mu yare[ I have hepatitis/ liver disease. 24. Medwons] mogya I pass bloody urine. 25. Dwons]yaayaa ay[ me I feel pain when passing urine. 19
Some common medical expressions
26. Meyare ebunu I have jaundice. 27. Ekuro ay[ m’ano I have lip ulcer / sore. 28. M’anom ay[ kuro I have sore mouth. 29. Meyare mogyaboroso] I am hypertensive. 30. aka me ba yi My child has convulsion. 31. Me ba no asensen My child has become stiff/ convulsion. 32. Me ba no b] nk]nk]n My child has whooping cough. 33. Me ba no aso fiti My child’s ear discharges. 34. Me ba yi ab] dam My child is mad/ insane. 35. Me ba no ase ay[ kuro My child has genital ulcers. 36. Me ba no b] birimbirim Startling attack. 37. Wei aka no He/ she has convulsion. 38. Metwa I have fit/ epilepsy. 39. }twa He/ she has fit. 20
Some common medical expressions
40. }yare [twer[ He/ she has fit/ epilepsy. 41. Me ti pae me My head is splitting. 42. {two ay[ me I have hydrocele. 43. Me hwoa ay[ k[se I have scrotal swelling. 44. Meb] wa I cough. 45. Kooko asi m’ani so There is a growth on my eye. 46. Kooko asi me to I have piles/ haemorrhoids. 47. Me mogya so ate I am anaemic. 48. Mogya retu me I am bleeding. 49. Mehwa nkor]mo I snore. 50. Nkwee w] me so I have hernia. 51. Nwaahono agu me I have sore lips. 52. Me yam bob] mu Boborygmi sound. 53. Meb] nsamanwa I have tuberculosis. 21
Some common medical expressions
54. N’adwene mu ka no He/ she is mad/ mental illness. 55. }yare nofo] mu kokoram She has breast cancer. 56. Me nyins[n a na [so abubu Recurrent bleeding in pregnancy. 57. }yare nantwiyare[ He/she has Anthrax. 58. As] me tiri ne me k]n I have meningitis. 59. Mep]n ahwene I bleed from my nose. 60. Map]n I have miscarried. 61. M’anidane aba I am experiencing menstrual pain. 62. Me ho adane I am pregnant. 63. Menyem I am pregnant. 64. M’ase keka me I have vaginal itch. 65. Ne ho nsuo agyene Infertile male. 66. Dwoa atwe me /atwe me dwoa I have lymph node swelling. 67. Mente me ba ne nka/Akwadaa no nka ne ho No perception of foetal movement. 22
Some common medical expressions
68. Me ba no k]k]bo ab[t[ h] He/she has rectal prolapse. 69. Me home rete I am breathless. 70. Nsuo regu me I have vaginal discharge. 71. Af] de me I feel pressed (I feel like passing stool-used by some women to indicate they feel pressure to pass stool in labour). 72. Me ho yera me I am irritable/ I feel uneasy. 73. {br[ me kyem I feel like pushing (used in labour to indicate an urge to bear a child. 74. Me ho dwane me/ me ho dwaa me I have burning sensation. 75. May[ hodwoo I am weak. 76. M’ani gu so saa Insomnia. 77. Mek] kwan so a…….. Reference to sex/ When I have sex. 78. Mete t]e[ I fell down. 79. Metwa hwee[ I collapsed/ I fainted. 80. K]terek]] asi me I have Hiccups. 23
Some common medical expressions
81. Ntasuoakoram ay[ me I feel pain in the throat when I swallow. 82. Amuntum akye me I have sleep paralysis. N.B: Literally, “mek] kwan so “ means to travel but we use it in reference to sex.
24
NYAWERA BI A EW} NNIPADUA AKWAA AHODO} MU AILMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY
TWI →→ ENGLISH
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
1. TIYARE{/ TIPAE{ – HEADACHE Me ti y[ me ya
My head aches.
Me ti fa y[ me ya
Half of my head aches.
Me ti fa dwa me
One sided headache.
Me ti mu keka me My scalp itches. Me ti dwa me gagaga
Throbbing/ Splitting headache.
Ne ti mu ka no
He/ She has mental illness.
Me ti mu hyehye me I have burning sensation in my head. Me ti pae me
My head aches.
M’adwene mu hyehye me
I have burning sensation in my head.
Me ti mu b]n me
I have bad breath / halitosis.
Follow up questions Doctor: When did it start? [hy[[ ase[ dab[n? What treatment have you taken since it started? {bae no aduro b[n na woafa? 2. ANI – EYE M’ani y[ me ya
I have an eye problem/eye pain.
M’ani so keka me/ y[ me hene
My eyes itch.
M’ani reporo nsuo
My eyes are tearing.
M’ani twa nkyene
I have discharge from my eyes. 26
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
M’ani so y[ me kusuu I have blurred vision. M’ani so biri me/kyini me I feel dizzy. M’ani so ay[ me bisibisi My vision is blurred. Biribi at] m’ani so Foreign body in the eye. S[ mehw[ ade[ a menhunu no yie I cannot see clearly. Mehunu ade[ mmienu mmienu Double vision / Diplopia. Ade[ w] akyiri a menhunu I cannot see far. Ade[ b[n me a menhunu I cannot see objects close to me. Kooko ay[ m’ani I have an eye problem. Dehye[ asi m’ani so I have stye / chalazion. M’ani so y[ me wantann I have blurred vision. 3. ASO – EAR M’aso y[ me ya
I have ear ache.
M’aso fiti My ear discharges. M’aso mu keka me
My ear is itching/ itchy.
M’aso mu y[ me kyee Noise in the ear / Tinnitus. 27
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
Biribi ak]hy[ m’aso mu
Foreign body in my ear.
M’aso mu y[ me hene
My ears itches.
4. {SE– TEETH Me se femfem me
I have sensitive tooth.
Me se y[ me ya My tooth is aching/ I have tooth ache. Me se ay[ titiritii My tooth has become numb. Me se tutu me
I have severe toothache.
Me se so abu
I have a broken tooth.
Me se atu
I have lost a tooth.
Tokuro ab[da me se mu
I have a hole in my tooth.
Me se akyi nam tu mogya
My gum bleeds.
Mep[ s[ mesi me se I want to replace my missing tooth. N’ano mae nsuo He/she drools. Kaka ay[ me se
I have toothache.
Mekasa a na nka w] m’anum/M’anum b]n I have bad breath/ Halitosis. N’ano apae
He/she has a cleft/ split lip.
Tokuro w] n’anom soro
He/she has a cleft palate.
Me se so ay[ fi
I have stains on my teeth.
N.B: In Akan, “[se” is used for both tooth and teeth. 28
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
5. MENEMU – THROAT Me k]n y[ me ya
My neck is aching.
Me mene mu y[ me ya My throat is aching. Me mene mu ay[ kuro I have a sore throat. Me mene mu keka me My throat is itchy. Me mene mu y[ me hene My throat is itchy. Mentumi mmene ntasuo
I have difficulty swallowing.
Kas[[ ahia me
I have swallowed a fish bone.
Wamene sika
He/She has swallowed a coin.
Mamene me se
I have swallowed my artificial tooth.
Me nne asi/ Me nne afam/ Hoarseness Me nne asesa /change of voice. Ntasuoakoram ay[ me
I cannot swallow saliva /I have pains in the throat when swallowing.
6. NSA – HAND Me nsa y[ me ya
My hand aches.
Me nsa mu abu
My hand is injured/ broken.
Mada me nsa so
I have pain in my hand.
29
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
7. ABATIRE – SHOULDER M’abatiri ahwan/ My shoulder is afrikyiri dislocated/ twisted. M’abatiri y[ me ya
I have shoulder pain.
8. NOFO} – BREAST Me nofo y[ me ya
I feel pain in my breast.
{dwoa ab[t] me nofo mu
There is a lump in my breast.
Biribi da me nofo mu There is a lump in my breast. S[ me ba no nom me nofo a, na [y[ me ya I feel pains in my breast when my baby suckles. Me nofo ay[ k[se
My breast has enlarged.
Manya nofo] mu kokoram
I have breast cancer.
Nsuo firi me nofo mu ba Me nofo mu y[ me duru
I have discharge from my breast. My breast feels heavy.
9. KOKO YADE{ – CHEST PAIN Me koko y[ me ya
I have chest pain.
Me bo y[ me ya
I have chest pain.
M’akoma y[ me ya I have Chest/ heart pain M’akoma b] me paripari
My heart beats fast/ palpitation. 30
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
Me mu y[ me ya
I have chest pain.
Me sisi y[ me ya
I have waist pain/ I have pain in my waist.
Me pa y[ me ya
I have low back pain.
M’ayaase y[ me ya I have pain in my lower abdomen. 10. MFE – RIB Mpafe asi me
I feel pain in my rib.
Me mfe y[ me ya
I feel pain in my rib.
11. FUNUMA – NAVEL Me funuma mu y[ me ya
I feel pain in my navel
Me funuma mu keka me
I feel pain in the navel
Me funuma mu ay[ kuro
There is sore in my navel
12. YAFUNU YADE{ – ABDOMINAL PAINS Me yam tutu me
I have abdominal pain.
Me yam y[ me ya
I have Abdominal Pain.
Me yam bob] mu / woro so Borborygmi. Me yam keka me
I have abdominal pain.
Me yafunu ka me dwee
I have colicky abdominal pain. 31
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
Me yam wow] me
I have prickly abdominal pain.
Me yafunu ahy[ kosoo
I feel some heaviness in my abdomen.
Me yafunu ahy[ I feel bloated. Me yam samforosamforo me I have abdominal discomfort. Me yam hwie I have diarrhoea. Megya me nan nt[mnt[m
I have diarrhoea.
Biribi nenam me yam
Something is moving in my abdomen.
Me yam b]n
My stool / flatus is offensive.
Meyi mframa a [b]n My flatus is offensive. Meta a [b]n My flatus is offensive. Follow up questions Doctor: {hy[[ ase[ dab[n? When did it start? Mper[ s[n?
How often?
{y[ a ahor] anaa mogya w] wo tiafi no mu? Is the stool mucoid or bloody? 13. AHOTUTUO – BODY PAINS Me ho y[ me ya
I have body pain.
Me ho tutu me
I have body ache.
Me sasabor] aba/ M’ahotutuo aba
I have rheumatism/ Sickle cell disease.
32
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
14. NAN – LEG Me nan y[ me ya
My leg is aching.
Me nan ahono
My leg is swollen.
Me nan afrikyiri
I have a dislocated/twisted leg.
Me nan mu abu
My leg is injured/ broken.
Me nan mu tutu me I feel pain in my leg. Me kotodwe y[ me ya
I have knee pain.
33
NNA MU YADE{ SEXUAL/ GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
TWI →→ ENGLISH
Sexual/ gynaecological conditions
DE{ {FA }BARIMA HO - CONCERNING MEN Me dwons] a na me barima mu y[ me ya I feel pain in my penis/manhood when passing urine. Follow up questions. {y[ a nsuo firi wo barima mu ba? Do you experience some discharge in your penis? Wo ne ]baa dae[ nna s[n nie? When was the last time you had sex? Woaware? Are you married? Wow] mpena? Do you have any other sexual partner apart from your wife? Wo ne ]baa fofor] ada anaa? Have you had any extra marital affair? N.B: In Akan, “me barima” - my manhood is used instead of my penis. To say, “me k]te” - my penis is a verbal taboo. IMPOTENCE Me barima awu – I am impotent. {mpagya/Me barima mpagya – I don’t have any erection. Mentumi nk] kwan so – I cannot perform sexually. May[ mmer[ w] mpam – I am sexually weak. 35
Sexual/ gynaecological conditions
CONCERNING THE GENITAL ORGAN {two ay[ me – I have hydrocele. Me hwoa mu y[ me ya – I have pain in my scrotum. Me hwoa ho y[ me hene – I have an itchy scrotum. EXPRESSIONS WITH THE HIV/AIDS VIRUS “Babaso” is used for gonorrhoea but following the advent of AIDS, a new Akan terminology/name has been devised for AIDS. Some people call it “Babaso wer[mfo]” - the serious form/type of sexually transmitted disease. “Wer[mfo]” is used when something is considered to be serious or deadly. Others qualify it as: AIDS Babso wer[mfo] - AIDS serious form of gonorrhoea AIDS K]diawuo - The deadly AIDS Using the AIDS alone is understood by all speakers of Akan. They say; Wanya AIDS - He has contracted the AIDS Wak]tete AIDS - He has contracted AIDS Here again, no distinction is made betwen the HIV/AIDS. All the states are called AIDS. Syphillis is called Babaso Kraman - Dog gonorrhoea. Dog is used to qualify it because of the way the male dog likes sex.
DE{ {FA }BAA HO - CONCERNING WOMEN M’ase keka me/ M’ase y[ me hene My vagina itches/ irritates. 36
Sexual/ gynaecological conditions
M’ase firi nsuo/Nsuo regu me I have vaginal discharge. Nka w] m’ase/M’ase b]n Offensive vaginal discharge. M’ase ay[ kuro I have vaginal ulceration. M’ase tutu me I have vaginal pain. Manya odeepua I have candidiasis/vaginal discharge. Mogya retu me I am bleeding. Mek] afikyire I am in my menses. Mabu me nsa I am in my menses. May[ bra I am in my menses. {b[y[ bosome mmienu nie menk]] afikyire I have not had my menses for two months now. Matwa bra I am at menopause. M’ayaase y[ me ya I feel pain in my lower abdomen. Biribi ab[hy[/ab[fua m’ayaase I feel a mass in my lower abdomen. Biribi ab[hy[ m’anan mu I feel a mass in my vagina. Me dwons] mogya I have blood in my urine. 37
Sexual/ gynaecological conditions
INTERACTION BETWEEN A DOCTOR AND A PATIENT Doctor When did it start?
{hy[[ ase[ dab[n?
Patient I {hy[[ ase[ {dwoada no
It started on Monday.
Nnanu ne nn[ na [hy[[ ase[
It started two days ago.
Nnansa ne nn[
It started three days ago.
Nn[nan ne nn[
It started four days ago.
Nnanum ne nn[
It started five days ago.
Nnansia ne nn[
It started six days ago.
Nnaw]twe nie
It started a week ago.
{nnaanoo na [hy[[ ase[
It started some days ago.
Nnaw]twe mmienu nie
It started two weeks ago.
Dap[n nie na [hy[[ ase[
It started a week ago.
{nora It started yesterday. {n[ It started today. Patient II }p[p]n bosome mu It started in January. Buronya akyi bosome baako
A month after Christmas.
Bosome nie A month ago. Bosome mmienu nie Two months ago. Bosome mmi[nsa nie Three months ago. Afe nie A year now. Mfe[ mmienu nie Two years ago. Mfe[ mmi[nsa nie Three years ago. 38
GENERAL AILMENTS, FEVER AND COUGH
TWI →→ ENGLISH
39
General ailments, fever and cough
THE PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY UNIT It is a unit that looks after the general ailments of children. These are some of the interactions patients have with doctors: Me ba no home a [nsi so. My child has difficulty in breathing. Me ba no tee so. My child is wheezing/difficulty in breathing. Me ba no pene My child is grunting. Me ba no home nt[mnt[m. My child has fast breathing. Me ba no b] birimbirim My child has startling attacks. N.B: In Akan, “me ba” is referred to both masculine and feminine ward unless it is qualified by “me babarima” - my male ward or “me babaa” - my female ward. Follow up questions Doctor }w] ntehyeewa?
Is he/she asthmatic?
{hy[[ ase[ dab[n?
When did it start?
Wadi mfe[ s[n/Wadi s[n? How old is he/she? Patient Wadi bosome
He/she is a month old.
Wadi afe
He/she is one year old.
{soro aka me ba no
My child has convulsion
Wei aka me ba no My child has convulsion 40
General ailments, fever and cough
Follow up questions. Doc: S[ [ba a s[n na ]y[? How does he/she behave when it happens? Parent: }sensene He/she becomes stiff. Ne ho woso The body shakes. Doc: N’ano pu/twa ahuro? Does he/she foam? Parent: Aane – Yes. Daabi – No. Doc: Mp[n dodo] s[n na yare[ no ba? How often? Parent: Nnaw]twe biara [ba – Once a week. Bosome biara [ba – Once a month. Yei ne de[ [di kan – This is the first time. Doc: {bae[ no, [de[n na woy[e[? What did you do when it happened? Parent: Me posaa gyeene de s]] n’ani so. – I dropped some juice from onion into his/her eyes. Meb]] no nsuo. I poured some water on him/her. N.B: In the Akan society, instead of a parent mentioning that the child has convulsion, she would rather say “wei” - (This) aka no - (has affected him/her). “Wei aka no” is accompanied by pointing the right hand at the universe because convulsion “soro” literally meaning “the universe” is considered a verbal taboo in the ethnography of speaking in this respect. It is believed that if the expression: “[soro aka me ba no” is used, the sickness will be increased hence the use of “wei”.
41
General ailments, fever and cough
FEVER DESCRIPTIONS 39. {y[ a na me ho ay[ hye My temperature rises sometimes. 40. Me ho ay[ hye I have fever. 41. Me ho y[ me hodwoo I feel weak. 42. Me nante kakra bi a na mabr[ I have easy fatigability. 43. M’ap]so m’ap]so y[ me ya I have joint pain. 44. M’anom ato I have lost appetite. 45. Mentumi nnidi k[se I cannot eat much. 46. Me ti y[ me ya I have headache. 47. Me hwene mu firi nsuo I have runny nose. 48. {y[ a mefe/ Mefe I vomit / throw up. 49. Aduane ka m’ano a na mafe I vomit or throw up after eating. 50. Manya kataa I have cold/catarrh. 51. Manya papuu I have cold. 42
General ailments, fever and cough
52. Manya yarefufuo/ebunu I have fever/ Jaundice. 53. Me bo fono me I feel nauseous. 54. Metete ntasuo I spit a lot. 55. Me bo hyehye me I have heartburn. 56. Mentumi nna I have insomnia. 57. Mafoe[ I am feeling feverish. EWA – COUGH 1. Meb] wa I cough. 2. }b] wa He/She coughs. 3. Meb] wa a na mogya w] mu I have haemoptysis. 4. }b] nk]nk]n He/She has whooping cough. 5. Meb] nsamanwa I have tuberculosis.
43
Months of the year - Bosome a [w] afe mu
BOSOME A {W} AFE MU - MONTHS IN THE YEAR TWI ENGLISH }p[p]n January }gyefuo February Obenim March Oforisuo April Kotonimma May Ay[wohomum] June Kitawonsa July }sanaa
August
{b]
September
Ahinime October Obubuo November }p[nemaa December NNA A {W} NNAW}TWE MU - DAYS IN THE WEEK TWI ENGLISH {dwoada
Monday
{benada
Tuesday
Wukuada
Wednesday
Yawoada
Thursday
Efiada
Friday
Memeneda
Saturday
Kwasiada
Sunday 44
45
INDEX Amuntum 9, 24 Ananse 9 Ananta 9 Ani 3, 6, 9, 10, 19, 21, 23, 26, 27, 41 Aniakyi 3 Anidane 10, 22 Anifira 10 Anikyew 10 Anint]n 3 Anisobirie 10 Ano 3, 6, 20, 28, 41, 42 Anumkankan 10 Anumkuro 10 Ap]n 10 Apor]por] 10, 19 Asabra 10 As[e 15 Ase 18, 20, 22, 26, 32, 36, 37, 38, 40 Asene 3 Asensen 10, 20 Asikyireyare[ 10, 19 Aso 3, 6, 7, 19, 20, 27, 28 Asoakyi 4 Asofitie 10 Asoroben 10 Asosiy[ 10 Asram 10 Ataetae 18 Atiridii 10 Atiridinini 10 Awode[ 15
A Ab]dwe[ 3, 6 Aben 18 Abofono 9 Adane 22 Aduro 26 Afe 9, 38 Afe[fe[ 9 Afikyik] 9 Afira 19 Afono 3, 6 Afuro 3, 6 Agyemmirekutu 9, 18 Ahaamu 9 Ahinime 44 Ah]n]n 9 Aho]hene 9 Aho]hye[ 9 Ahonhono 9 Ahono 18, 33 Ahotutuo 32 Ahuro 41 Ahwenep]n 9 Ahy[ 18, 32 Akoma 9, 30 Akomayare[ 9, 18 Akyakya 9 Akyi 4, 6, 7, 18, 28, 38 Akyiri 27 Akyiri dompe 4, 7 Akyiyare[ 9
46
Index
E
Ay[ 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 42
Ebunu 12, 13, 20, 43 Edwie 12 Efiada 44 Ekuro 12, 20 Etire 3, 6 Etwer[ 12
Ayamhyehye[ 10 Ayamtim 10 Ayamtuo 10 Ay[wohomum] 44
B Babaso 11, 19, 36 Babasokraman 11 Babasonini 11 Babasower[mfo] 11 Batire 3, 6 Batw[ 3, 6 Ber[bo] 11 Bonini 11 Bosome 37, 38, 40, 41 Br]dedwo 10 Br[fo] 10 Bubuo 15 Buropete 11 B]wer[ 4
{ {b] 44 {benada 44 {dwoada 38, 44 {fe[ 12 {femfem 12 {hoa 12 {hyehye me 12 {ka me 12 {keka me 12 {k]n 3, 4, 6, 7 {kor] 12 {nna 12 {p] 12 {p]n 12 {poro 9 {se keka 12 {s]ne 13 {soro 12, 20, 40 {t[ 12 {tw[ 3 {twa 9 {two 12, 21, 36 {wa 12 {we 12
D Dab[n 26, 32, 38, 40 Damm] 11 Dehye[ 11, 27 Dwie 16 Dwoa 11, 22, 30 Dwons]krobo 11 Dwons]k[t[so 11 Dwons]mmogya 11 Dwons]twaa 11 Dwons]yaayaa 11, 19
47
Index {yam 12
F
Kotodwe 4, 7 Kotonimma 44
Gyemmirekutu 13 Gyepim 13
Kramanyare[ 14 Krawa 14 Krotoa 14 K]te[ 6 K]tewui[ 13 Kwasiada 44 Kwata 14
H
M
Hene 9, 18, 26, 28, 29, 36 Hodwoo 23, 42 Honam 13 Honamyaa 13 Hurae[ 13 Hwene 3, 6, 13, 42 Hwenemusie 13 Hwowa 6
Memeneda 44 Menemu 14 Menemukuro 14 Meyare 18, 19, 20 Mfe 3, 6, 38 Mfifirensaa 14 Mfifisaa 14 Mm]bor] 14 Mmogyaboroso] 14 Mmogyammoroso] 14 Mmoromu 4, 7 Mm]toam 3 Mmubuo 14 Mm]wer[ 4 Mogyasote[ 14 Mogyatuo 14 Mogyawe[ 14 Momma 3 Mpafe 14, 31 Mp]mp] 14 Mum 14 Muyare[ 14
Femfem 12, 28 Funumatu 13
G
Hye 9, 18, 42 Hyehye 12, 19, 26, 43
K Kaka 13, 28 Kakagya 13 Kakawirewire 13 Kankan 13 Kitawonsa 44 K]k]bo 13 K]k]boyare[ 13 K]mp] 13 Kokoram 11, 14, 15, 17, 22, 30 Konkoraa 14 Kooko 14, 21, 27
48
Index
N
Nwi 3, 6 Nyins[n 15, 22
Nammoromu 4 Nan 4, 6, 7, 18, 19, 32, 33, 38 Nansoa 4 Nantabono 4 Nantuo 4, 7 Nketenkete 15 Nk]nk]n 15, 20, 43 Nkonto 15 Nkor]mo 15, 21 Nkudaa 15 Nkwee 15, 21 Nkyene 9, 26 Nnansa 38 Nnanum 38 Nnaw]twe 38, 41 Nnwodwo] 15 Nofo] 3, 6, 15 Nsa 3, 6, 29, 37, 38 Nsaa 9, 15 Nsaakyi 4, 7 Nsaanini 15 Nsamanwa 15, 21, 43 Nsateaa 3 Nsayam 3, 6 Nsonkuronsuo 15 Nsonomuyare[ 15 Nsuo 9, 13, 22, 26, 28, 35, 37, 41, 42 Ntasuoakoram 15, 24, 29 Ntehyeewa 15, 40 Nt[mnt[m 32, 40 Nt[nky[m 15 Nwaahono 15, 21
O Obenim 44 Obubuo 44 Odeepua 16 Oforisuo 44
} }gyefuo 44 }p[nemaa 44 }p[p]n 38, 44 }sanaa 44 }sensene 41
P Pampan 14 Papuu 16, 42
S Saa 16 Sasabor] 16, 32 Sawa 16 Sepor]e[ 16 Sisie 3, 6 Sisiyare[ 16 Somor] 16 Sr[ 3, 7
T Tipae[ 16 Tiri 16, 22 Tirimukuro 16
49
Index Tirinwii 3, 6 Tiritii 28 Tiyare[ 16 Tokuro 9 Tuguo 15 Tumm 10 Twa 9, 20, 26, 41
W Wantann 27 Wantanworann 9 Wede[ 17 Wisiwisi 9 Wukuada 44
Y Yafunukeka 17 Yamkuro 17 Yamtuo 17 Yare[ 9, 11, 12, 16, 19, 41 Yarefufuo 17, 43 Yawoada 44 Yiguo 15
50
51
52
TWI MEDICAL GLOSSARY NAMES OF SOME DISEASES AND CLINICAL TERMS IN TWI (NYAREWA NE AYARESABEA NS{MFUA BINOM DIN W} TWI KASA MU)
ENGLISH TO TWI
THE DIAGRAM OF THE HUMAN BODY NNIPADUA AKWAA NO NKYER{MU
ENGLISH →→ TWI
54
The human body
FRONT VIEW OF A FEMALE – }BAA NNIPADUA ANIM
55
The human body
ENGLISH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.
TWI
Head Etire Forehead Momma Eyebrow Aniakyi nwi Eye lid Anint]n nwi Nose Hwene Mouth Ano Chin Ab]dwe[ Neck {k]n Hair Tirinwii Eyes Ani Ear Aso Cheek Afono Shoulder Batire Breast Nofo] Nipple Nofo] ano Hand Nsa Fingers Nsateaa Palm Nsayam Armpit Mm]toam Rib Mfe Elbow Batw[ Stomach Afuro Waist Sisie Abdomen Asene/ Ayaase[ Vagina {tw[ Thigh Sr[ 56
The human body
ENGLISH 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39.
TWI
Knee Kotodwe Leg Nan Foot Nammoromu/ Nantabono Toe Nansoa Toe nails Nan b]wer[/ Mm]wer[ Back of the ear Asoakyi Back of the neck K]n akyi Back of Palm Nsaakyi Back bone Akyiri dompe Back Akyi Buttocks {to] Calf Nantuo Arc of the foot Nan mmoromu
57
The human body
FRONT VIEW OF A MALE - BARIMA NNIPADUA NO AKWA
58
The human body
ENGLISH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.
TWI
Head Etire Forehead Moma Eye Ani Nose Hwene Cheek Afono Mouth Ano Chin Ab]dwe[ Hair Tirinwii Eyebrow Ani akyi nwi Ear Aso Neck {k]n Fingers Nsatea Palm Nsayam Elbow Batw[ Ribs Mfe Waist Sisie Shoulder Batire Chest Koko] Breast Nofo] Stomach Afuro Navel Funuma Hand Nsa Testicles Hwowa Penis K]te[ Leg Nan Foot Namm]n/ nantabono 59
The human body
ENGLISH 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.
TWI
Thigh Sr[ Knee Kotodwe Ankle Namp]so Toes Nansoaa Back of the ear Aso akyi Back of the neck {k]n akyi Back of the hand Nsaakyi Back bone Akyiri dompe/ Br[mo] Back Akyi Buttocks {to] Calf Nantuo Arc of the foot Nan mmoromu
60
NAMES OF SOME MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN TWI NYAREWA BINOM W} TWI KASA MU
ENGLISH →→ TWI
A-B
A Abdominal pain – Yafunukeka AIDS/HIV – Babasoweremfo] Anaemia – Mogyasote[ /Mogyawe[ Asthma – Ntehyeewa
B Backache/ Back Disorders – Akyiyade[ Barreness (on the part of a female)– Bonini (on the part of a man) – Krawa Bedwetting – Dwons]k[t[so Bleeding – Mmogyatuo Bleeding from the nose/ Epistaxis – Ahwenep]n Blindness – Anifira Blurred vision – Ani a [so y[ wisiwisi/ Ani a [so y[ tumm / Ani a [so y[ wantanworann Bloody urine – Dwons]mmogya (Haematuria) Bloody mucoid diarrhoea/ Dysentery – Konkoraa Body odour
– Honam kankan
Body swelling/ Anasarca – Ahonhono 63
B-C Boil /Abscess – Mp]mp] Bone cancer – Dompe mu kokoram Brain Tumor
– Mp]mp] a [t] adwene mu
Breast cancer – Nofo] mu kokoram
C Catarrh/ Blocked Nose/– Hwenemusie Nasal Congestion Cancer – Kokoram Candidiasis/ Vaginal discharge – Odeepua Chalazion / Stye – Dehye[ Chronic Ulcer/ Non-healing Ulcer – Nkudaa Chicken pox
– Buropete
Cholera – Ayamtuo br[fo] Cold sore/ Herpes labialis
– Nwaahono
Common cold
– Papuu
Constipation – Ayamtim Convulsion – {soro ka no Cough – {wa
64
D-F
D Dandruff – {hoa Deafness – Asosie/Asosiy[ Dental Caries/ Tooth decay – Sepor]e[ Diabetes – Asikyireyade[ Diarrhoea/ Running stomach
– Ayamtuo
Diarrhoea in a newborn – Asabra Diphtheria – Ahrawa mu yare[ Dizziness – Anisobire/ Ani a [so y[ tumm Dumbness – Mum Dysentery/ Bloody mucoid diarrhoea – Konkoraa
E Ear discharge – Asofitie Ectopic Pregnancy – Nyins[n a ant] awode[ mu Elephantiasis – Gyepim Epilepsy/ Fits – Etwer[
F Fever/ High Temperature
– Aho]hye[ 65
F-H Fit/ Epilepsy
– Etwer[
Foot rot
– Apor]por]
Foul Breath/ Halitosis – Anum Kankan Fungal Nail Infection/ Paronychia – Kakagya
G Gonnorrhoea – Babaso Goiter – K]mp] Guinea worm
– Mfa
General body pains – Honamyaa
H Haemorrhage/ Bleeding – Mmogyatuo Hair lice
– Tiri mu dwie
Halitosis/ Foul Breath – Anum Kankan Headache – Tipae[ Heat rash – Mfifirensaa Hepatitis/ Liver Disease – Ber[bo] mu yare[ Herpes labialis/ Cold sore – Nwaahono High temperature/ Fever – Aho]hye[ 66
H-L Hole in heart
– Akoma mu tokuro
Hunchback – Akyakya Hunger in the night/ Hypoglycaemia/ Hunger pangs – Nketenkete Hypertension – Mmogyammoroso]
I Impotence – K]tewui[ Intestinal disease
– Nsonomuyade[
Irritation, Itching – Aho]hene
J Jaundice/ Fever – Ebunu/hurae[/yarefufuo
K Kidney disease
– Saa mu yare[/ Sawa mu yare[
Knocking knees – Ananta
L Leprosy – Kwata 67
L-P Leucorrhorea/ Cataract – {t[ Liver cancer – Ber[bo] mu kokoram Lump/ Lymph Node Swelling – Dwoa
M Madness – Damm] Malaria – Atiridii Measles – Nt[nky[m Menstrual disorder
– Afikyik] mu yare[
Menstrual pain – Anidane Migraine – Asoroben Miscarriage – Nyins[n a as[e Mumps – Agyemmirekutu
N Nausea – Abofono
P Panic/ Anxiety – Ayamhyehye[ Pain in the genital organ (Dysuria) – Dwons]yaaya 68
P-S Pain in the ribs/ Chest pain – Mpafe Pain in the throat when swallowing – Ntasuoakoram Paralysis, Polio – Mmubuo Perineal rash – Ahaamu nsaa Piles/ Haemorrhoids – Kooko Pimples/ Acne – Nsaanini Pityriasis Vesicolor – {kor] Prostrate cancer – Dwons]twaa mu kokoram
R Rabies – Kramanyare[ Rash – Nsaa Rectal Prolapse
– K]k]boyare[
Rheumatism – Sasabor] Ringworm – {yam Ring worm on the scalp/ Tinea Capitis – Kakawirewire Running nose – Hwene mu a [s]ne nsuo Running stomach/ Diarrhoea – Ayamtuo
S Shingles – Ananse 69
S-T Sore in the mouth
– Anumkuro
Stye / Chalazion – Dehye[ Syphilis – Babasokraman Sore/ Ulcer – Ekuro Skin rash due to allergy/ Urticaria – {p] Snoring – Nkor]mohwa Stroke / Paralysis – Nnwodwo] Skin cancer – Wede[ mu kokoram Stomach ulcer
– Yamkuro
T Tearing eye/ Watery eye – Ani a [poro nsuo Tetanus/ Tonic Seizure – Asensene Throat cancer – Menemu kokoram Toothache – Kaka Tooth decay/ Dental Caries
– Sepor]e[
Tuberculosis – Nsamanwa Typhoid/ Severe Malaria – Atiridinini
70
U-W
U Umblical hernia
– Funumatu
Vomiting – {fe[
W Watery eye/ Tearing eye – Ani a [poro nsuo Whooping cough
– Nk]nk]n
Waist pain – Sisiyare[
71
SOME COMMON MEDICAL EXPRESSIONS NYAWERA BI A EW} NNIPADUA AKWAA AHODO} MU
ENGLISH →→ TWI 1. I have contracted mumps. Agyemmirekutu ay[ me 2. I have a fever. Me ho ay[ hye 3. I have a fever Me ho aben 4. My leg is swollen. Me nan ahono 5. My feet are swollen. Me nan ase ataetae 6. Abdominal distention. M’afuru ahy[ / ahono 7. My body itches. Me ho y[ me hene 8. I have a heart disease. Meyare akomayare 9. I have nose bleeds/ Epistaxis. Mep]n ahwene 10. I have back pain/ache M’akyi y[ me ya. 72
Some common medical expressions
11. I feel dizzy M’ani so biri me. 12. I cannot see M’ani nhunu ade[. 13. I am blind M’ani afira. 14. I have foot rot Apor]por] ay[ me. 15. I am suffering from diabetes Meyare asikyireyare[. 16. My ear discharges M’aso fiti. 17. I am anxious / panicky Me yam hyehye me. 18. I get panic attacks {y[ a na me yam ahye me. 19. I have constipation Me yam atim. 20. I cannot pass stool / constipation Mentumi nnya me nan. 21. I have diarrhoea/ running stomach Me yam tu. 22. I have gonorrhoea Babaso ay[ me. 23. I have hepatitis/ liver disease Mew] ber[bo] mu yare[. 24. I pass bloody urine Medwons] mogya. 73
Some common medical expressions
25. I feel pain when passing urine. Dwons]yaayaa ay[ me. 26. I have jaundice Meyare ebunu. 27. I have lip ulcer / sore Ekuro ay[ m’ano. 28. I have sore mouth M’anom ay[ kuro. 29. I am hypertensive Meyare mogyaboroso]. 30. My child has convulsion {soro aka me ba yi. 31. My child has become stiff/ convulsion Me ba no asensen. 32. My child has whooping cough Me ba no b] nk]nk]n. 33. My child’s ear discharges Me ba no aso fiti. 34. My child is mad/ insane Me ba yi ab] dam. 35. My child has genital ulcers Me ba no ase ay[ kuro. 36. Startling attack Me ba no b] birimbirim. 37. He/ she has convulsion Wei aka no. 38. I have fit/ epilepsy Metwa. 39. He/ she has fit }twa. 74
Some common medical expressions
40. He/ she has fit/ epilepsy }yare [twer[. 41. My head is splitting Me ti pae me. 42. I have hydrocele {two ay[ me. 43. I have scrotal swelling Me hwoa ay[ k[se. 44. I cough Meb] wa. 45. There is a growth on my eye Kooko asi m’ani so. 46. I have piles/ haemorrhoids Kooko asi me to. 47. I am anaemic Me mogya so ate. 48. I am bleeding Mogya retu me. 49. I snore Mehwa nkor]mo. 50. I have hernia Nkwee w] me so. 51. I have sore lips Nwaahono agu me. 52. Boborygmi sound Me yam bob] mu. 53. I have tuberculosis Meb] nsamanwa. 54. He/ she is mad/ mental illness N’adwene mu ka no. 75
Some common medical expressions
55. She has breast cancer }yare nofo] mu kokoram. 56. Recurrent bleeding in pregnancy Me nyins[n a na [so abubu. 57. He/she has Anthrax }yare nantwiyare[. 58. I have meningitis As] me tiri ne me k]n. 59. I bleed from my nose Mep]n ahwene. 60. I have miscarried Map]n. 61. I am experiencing menstrual pain M’anidane aba 62. I am pregnant Me ho adane. 63. I am pregnant Menyem. 64. I have vaginal itch M’ase keka me. 65. Infertile male Ne ho nsuo agyene. 66. I have lymph node swelling. Dwoa atwe me /atwe me dwoa 67. No perception of foetal movement Mente me ba ne nka/ Akwadaa no nka ne ho 68. He/she has rectal prolapse Me ba no k]k]bo ab[t[ h]. 69. I am breathless Me home rete. 76
Some common medical expressions
70. I have vaginal discharge Nsuo regu me. 71. I feel pressed (I feel like passing stool-used by some women to indicate they feel pressure to pass stool in labour) Af] de me. 72. I am irritable/ I feel uneasy Me ho yera me. 73. I feel like pushing (used in labour to indicate an urge to bear a child {br[ me kyem. 74. I have burning sensation Me ho dwane me/ me ho dwaa me. 75. I am weak May[ hodwoo. 76. Insomnia M’ani gu so saa. 77. Reference to sex/ When I have sex Mek] kwan so a... 78. I fell down Mete t]e[. 79. I collapsed/ I fainted Metwa hwee[. 80. I have Hiccups K]terek]] asi me. 81. I feel pain in the throat when I swallow Ntasuoakoram ay[ me. 82. I have sleep paralysis Amuntum akye me. N.B: Literally, “mek] kwan so “ means to travel but we use it in reference to sex. 77
AILMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY NYAWERA BI A EW} NNIPADUA AKWAA AHODO} MU
ENGLISH →→ TWI
78
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
1. HEADACHE – TIYARE{/ TIPAE{ My head aches
Me ti y[ me ya.
Half of my head aches
Me ti fa y[ me ya.
One sided headache
Me ti fa dwa me.
My scalp itches
Me ti mu keka me.
Throbbing/ Splitting headache Me ti dwa me gagaga. He/ She has mental illness
Ne ti mu ka no.
I have burning sensation in my head. My head aches
Me ti mu hyehye me. Me ti pae me.
I have burning sensation in my head I have bad breath / halitosis
M’adwene mu hyehye me. Me ti mu b]n me.
Follow up questions Doctor: When did it start? [hy[[ ase[ dab[n? What treatment have you taken since it started? {bae no aduro b[n na woafa? 2. EYE – ANI I have an eye problem/eye pain M’ani y[ me ya. My eyes itch
M’ani so keka me/y[ me hene.
My eyes are tearing M’ani reporo nsuo . I have discharge from my eyes M’ani twa nkyene . I have blurred vision
M’ani so y[ me kusuu.
I feel dizzy
M’ani so biri me/kyini me. 79
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
My vision is blurred
M’ani so ay[ me bisibisi.
Foreign body in the eye
Biribi at] m’ani so .
I cannot see clearly
S[ mehw[ ade[ a menhunu no yie.
Double vision / Diplopia
Mehunu ade[ mmienu mmienu.
I cannot see far
Ade[ w] akyiri a menhunu.
I cannot see objects close to me Ade[ b[n me a menhunu. I have an eye problem
Kooko ay[ m’ani.
I have stye / chalazion
Dehye[ asi m’ani so.
I have blurred vision
M’ani so y[ me wantann.
3. EAR – ASO I have ear ache
M’aso y[ me ya.
My ear discharges M’aso fiti. My ear is itching/ itchy
M’aso mu keka me.
Noise in the ear / Tinnitus
M’aso mu y[ me kyee.
Foreign body in my ear
Biribi ak]hy[ m’aso mu.
My ears itches
M’aso mu y[ me hene.
4. TEETH - {SE I have sensitive tooth
Me se femfem me.
My tooth is aching/ I have tooth ache My tooth has become numb
Me se y[ me ya. Me se ay[ titiritii
I have severe toothache
Me se tutu me.
I have a broken tooth
Me se so abu. 80
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
I have lost a tooth Me se atu. I have a hole in my tooth. Tokuro ab[da me se mu My gum bleeds Me se akyi nam tu mogya I want to replace my missing tooth ` Mep[ s[ mesi me se He/she drools N’ano mae nsuo I have toothache Kaka ay[ me se I have bad breath/ Halitosis Mekasa a na nka w] m’anum/M’anum b]n He/she has a cleft/split lip N’ano apae He/she has a cleft palate Tokuro w] n’anom soro I have stains on my teeth. Me se so ay[ fi N.B: In Akan, “[se” is used for both tooth and teeth 5. THROAT – MENEMU My neck is aching
Me k]n y[ me ya
My throat is aching
Me mene mu y[ me ya
I have a sore throat
Me mene mu ay[ kuro
My throat is itchy
Me mene mukeka me
My throat is itchy
Me mene mu y[ me hene
I have difficulty swallowing. Mentumi mmene ntasuo I have swallowed a fish bone Kas[[ ahia me He/She has swallowed a coin Wamene sika I have swallowed my artificial tooth Mamene me se Hoarseness/change of voice Me nne asi/ Me nne afam/Me nne asesa I cannot swallow saliva/ I have pains in the throat whens wallowing. Ntasuoakoram ay[ me 81
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
6. HAND – NSA My hand aches
Me nsa y[ me ya
My hand is injured/ broken
Me nsa mu abu
I have pain in my hand.
Mada me nsa so
7. SHOULDER – ABATIRE My shoulder is dislocated/ twisted M’abatiri ahwan/ afrikyiri I have shoulder pain
M’abatiri y[ me ya
8. BREAST – NOFO} I feel pain in my breast
Me nofo y[ me ya
There is a lump in my breast {dwoa ab[t] me nofo mu There is a lump in my breast Biribi da me nofo mu I feel pains in my breast when my baby suckles S[ me ba no nom me nofo a, na [y[ me ya My breast has enlarged Me nofo ay[ k[se I have breast cancer
Manya nofo] mu kokoram
I have discharge from my breast Nsuo firi me nofo mu ba My breast feels heavy
Me nofo mu y[ me duru
9. CHEST PAIN – KOKO YADE{. I have chest pain
Me koko y[ me ya
I have chest pain
Me bo y[ me ya
I have Chest/ heart pain
M’akoma y[ me ya 82
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
My heart beats fast/ palpitation M’akoma b] me paripari I have chest pain I have waist pain/ I have pain in my waist
Me mu y[ me ya
I have low back pain
Me pa y[ me ya
I have pain in my lower abdomen
M’ayaase y[ me ya
Me sisi y[ me ya
10. RIB – MFE I feel pain in my rib Mpafe asi me I feel pain in my rib
Me mfe y[ me ya
11. NAVEL – FUNUMA I feel pain in my navel
Me funuma mu y[ me ya
I feel pain in the navel
Me funuma mu keka me
There is sore in my navel
Me funuma mu ay[ kuro
12.ABDOMINAL PAINS – YAFUNU YADE{ I have abdominal pain
Me yam tutu me
I have Abdominal Pain
Me yam y[ me ya
Borborygmi
Me yam bob] mu /woro so
I have abdominal pain
Me yam keka me
I have colicky abdominal pain Me yafunu ka me dwee I have prickly abdominal pain Me yam wow] me I feel some heaviness in my abdomen Me yafunu ahy[ kosoo I feel bloated Me yafunu ahy[ 83
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
I have abdominal discomfort Me yam samforosamforo me I have diarrhoea Me yam hwie I have diarrhoea
Megya me nan nt[mnt[m
Something is moving in my abdomen My stool/flatus is offensive
Biribi nenam me yam Me yam b]n
My flatus is offensive
Meyi mframa a [b]n
My flatus is offensive
Meta a [b]n
Follow up questions Doctor: When did it start? {hy[[ ase[ dab[n? How often?
Mper[ s[n?
Is the stool mucoid or bloody? {y[ a ahor] anaa mogya w] wo tiafi no mu? 13. BODY PAINS – AHOTUTUO I have body pain
Me ho y[ me ya
I have body ache
Me ho tutu me
I have rheumatism/Sickle cell disease
Me sasabor] aba/M’ahotutuo aba
14. LEG – NAN My leg is aching
Me nan y[ me ya
My leg is swollen
Me nan ahono
84
Ailments associated with different parts of the body
I have a dislocated/ twisted leg. Me nan afrikyiri My leg is injured/ broken Me nan mu abu I feel pain in my leg
Me nan mu tutu me
I have knee pain
Me kotodwe y[ me ya
85
SEXUAL/ GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS NNA MU YADE{
ENGLISH →→ TWI
86
Sexual/ gynaecological conditions
CONCERNING MEN I feel pain in my penis/manhood when passing urine Me dwons] a na me barima mu y[ me ya. Follow up questions Do you experience some discharge in your penis? {y[ a nsuo firi wo barima mu ba? When was the last time you had sex? Wo ne ]baa dae[ nna s[n nie? Are you married? Woaware? Do you have any other sexual partner apart from your wife? Wow] mpena? Have you had any extra marital affair? Wo ne ]baa fofor] ada anaa? N.B: In Akan, “me barima” - my manhood is used instead of my penis. To say, “me k]te” - my penis is a verbal taboo. IMPOTENCE I am impotent – Me barima awu. I don’t have any erection – {mpagya/Me barima mpagya. I cannot perform sexually – Mentumi nk] kwan so. I am sexually weak – May[ mmer[ w] mpam.
87
Sexual/ gynaecological conditions
CONCERNING THE GENITAL ORGAN I have hydrocele – {two ay[ me. I have pain in my scrotum – Me hwoa mu y[ me ya. I have an itchy scrotum – Me hwoa ho y[ me hene. EXPRESSIONS WITH THE HIV/AIDS VIRUS “Babaso” is used for gonorrhoea but following the advent of AIDS, a new Akan terminology/name has been devised for AIDS. Some people call it “Babaso wer[mfo]” - the serious form/type of sexually transmitted disease. “Wer[mfo]” is used when something is considered to be serious or deadly. Others qualify it as: AIDS Babso wer[mfo] - AIDS serious form of gonorrhoea AIDS K]diawuo - The deadly AIDS Using the AIDS alone is understood by all speakers of Akan. They say; Wanya AIDS - He has contracted the AIDS Wak]tete AIDS - He has contracted AIDS Here again, no distinction is made betwen the HIV/AIDS. All the states are called AIDS. Syphillis is called Babaso Kraman - Dog gonorrhoea. Dog is used to qualify it because of the way the male dog likes sex.
CONCERNING WOMEN My vagina itches/ irritates M’ase keka me/ M’ase y[ me hene.
88
Sexual/ gynaecological conditions
I have vaginal discharge M’ase firi nsuo/Nsuo regu me Offensive vaginal discharge Nka w] m’ase/M’ase b]n I have vaginal ulceration M’ase ay[ kuro I have vaginal pain M’ase tutu me. I have candidiasis/vaginal discharge Manya odeepua I am bleeding Mogya retu me I am in my menses Mek] afikyire I am in my menses Mabu me nsa I am in my menses May[ bra I have not had my menses for two months now {b[y[ bosome mmienu nie menk]] afikyire. I am at menopause Matwa bra I feel pain in my lower abdomen M’ayaase y[ me ya I feel a mass in my lower abdomen Biribi ab[hy[/ab[fua m’ayaase I feel a mass in my vagina Biribi ab[hy[ m’anan mu I have blood in my urine. Me dwons] mogya 89
Sexual/ gynaecological conditions
INTERACTION BETWEEN A DOCTOR AND A PATIENT Doctor When did it start?
{hy[[ ase[ dab[n?
Patient I It started on Monday {hy[[ ase[ {dwoada no It started two days ago Nnanu ne nn[ na [hy[[ ase[ It started three days ago Nnansa ne nn[ It started four days ago Nn[nan ne nn[ It started five days ago Nnanum ne nn[ It started six days ago Nnansia ne nn[ It started a week ago Nnaw]twe nie It started some days ago {nnaanoo na [hy[[ ase[ It started two weeks ago Nnaw]twe mmienu nie It started a week ago Dap[n nie na [hy[[ ase[ It started yesterday {nora It started today {n[ Patient II It started in January }p[p]n bosome mu A month after Christmas Buronya akyi bosome baako A month ago Bosome nie Two months ago Bosome mmienu nie Three months ago Bosome mmi[nsa nie A year now Afe nie Two years ago Mfe[ mmienu nie Three years ago Mfe[ mmi[nsa nie
90
GENERAL AILMENTS, FEVER AND COUGH
ENGLISH →→ TWI
91
General ailments, fever and cough
THE PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY UNIT It is a unit that looks after the general ailments of children. These are some of the interactions patients have with doctors: My child has difficulty in breathing Me ba no home a [nsi so. My child is wheezing/difficulty in breathing Me ba no tee so. My child is grunting Me ba no pene. My child has fast breathing Me ba no home nt[mnt[m. My child has startling attacks Me ba no b] birimbirim. N.B: In Akan, “me ba” is referred to both masculine and feminine ward unless it is qualified by “me babarima” - my male ward or “me babaa” - my female ward. Follow up questions Is he/she asthmatic? }w] ntehyeewa? When did it start?
{hy[[ ase[ dab[n?
How old is he/she?
Wadi mfe[ s[n/ Wadi s[n?
He/she is a month old?
Wadi bosome.
He/she is one year old?
Wadi afe.
My child has convulsion {soro aka me ba no. My child has convulsion Wei aka me ba no.
92
General ailments, fever and cough
Follow up questions. Doc: How does he/she behave when it happens? – S[ [ba a s[n na ]y[? Parent: He/she becomes stiff – }sensene. The body shakes – Ne ho woso. Doc: Does he/she foam? – N’ano pu/twa ahuro? Parent: Yes – Aane. No – Daabi. Doc: How often? – Mp[n dodo] s[n na yare[ no ba? Parent: Once a week – Nnaw]twe biara [ba. Once a month – Bosome biara [ba. This is the first time – Yei ne de[ [di kan. Doc: What did you do when it happened? – {bae[ no, [de[n na woy[e[? Parent: I dropped some juice from onion into his/her eyes – Me posaa gyeene de s]] n’ani so. I poured some water on him/her – Meb]] no nsuo. N.B: In the Akan society, instead of a parent mentioning that the child has convulsion, she would rather say “wei” - (This) aka no - (has affected him/her). “Wei aka no” is accompanied by pointing the right hand at the universe because convulsion “soro” literally meaning “the universe” is considered a verbal taboo in the ethnography of speaking in this respect. It is believed that if the expression: “[soro aka me ba no” is used, the sickness will be increased hence the use of “wei”.
93
General ailments, fever and cough
FEVER DESCRIPTIONS 1. My temperature rises sometimes {y[ a na me ho ay[ hye. 2. I have fever Me ho ay[ hye 3. I feel weak Me ho y[ me hodwoo. 4. I have easy fatigability Me nante kakra bi a na mabr[. 5. I have joint pain M’ap]so m’ap]so y[ me ya. 6. I have lost appetite M’anom ato. 7. I cannot eat much Mentumi nnidi k[se. 8. I have headache Me ti y[ me ya. 9. I have runny nose Me hwene mu firi nsuo. 10. I vomit/ throw up {y[ a mefe/ Mefe. 11. I vomit or throw up after eating Aduane ka m’ano a na mafe. 12. I have cold/catarrh Manya kataa 13. I have cold Manya papuu. 94
General ailments, fever and cough
14. I have fever/ Jaundice Manya yarefufuo/ebunu 15. I feel nauseous Me bo fono me. 16. I spit a lot Metete ntasuo. 17. I have heartburn Me bo hyehye me. 18. I have insomnia Mentumi nna. 19. I am feeling feverish Mafoe[. COUGH – {WA 20. I cough Meb] wa. 21. He/She coughs }b] wa. 22. I have haemoptysis Meb] wa a na mpgya w] mu. 23. He/She has whooping cough }b] nk]nk]n 24. I have tuberculosis Meb] nsamanwa
95
MONTHS ON THE YEAR - BOSOME A {W} AFE MU TWI ENGLISH January }p[p]n February }gyefuo March Obenim April Oforisuo May Kotonimma June Ay[wohomum] July Kitawonsa August }sanaa September {b] October Ahinime November Obubuo December }p[nemaa DAYS OF THE WEEK - NNA A {W} NNAW}TWE MU TWI ENGLISH Monday {dwoada Tuesday {benada Wednesday Wukuada Thursday Yawoada Friday Efiada Saturday Memeneda Sunday Kwasiada
96
INDEX Bloody urine 62 Blurred vision 62, 78 Body swelling 62 Boil 63 Bone cancer 63 Breast 55, 58, 63 Breast cancer 63 Breath 65 Breathless 75 Broken 79, 81, 84 Burning sensation 76, 78 Buttocks 56
A Abdomen 55, 82, 83, 88 Abdominal 62, 82 Abscess 63 Acne 68 Aids 62, 87 Anaemia 62 Anaemic 74 Anasarca 62 Anthrax 75 Anumkuro 69 Anxiety 67 Anxious 72 Appetite 93 Arc 56 Armpit 55 Asthma 62
C Calf 56 Cancer 63, 67, 68, 69, 75, 81 Cancer 63 Candidiasis 63 Cataract 67 Catarrh 63, 93 Chalazion 63, 69 Cheek 55, 58 Chest 58, 68, 81 Chest pain 68 Chicken pox 63 Chin 55, 58 Cholera 63 Christmas 89 Chronic ulcer 63 Cold 63, 65
Attacks 72, 91
B Baby 81 Baby suckles 81 Back 56, 62 Backache 62 Barreness 62 Bedwetting 62 Bleeding 62, 65 Blind 72 Blindness 62 Bloated 82 Blocked nose 63
Cold sore 63, 65
97
Index Collapsed 76 Common cold 63
Erection 86 Eye 69, 70, 74, 78, 79
Constipation 63, 72 Convulsion 63 Cough 63
Eyebrow 55, 58 Eye lid 55 Eye pain 78 Eyes 55
D Dandruff 64 Deafness 64 Decay 64, 69 Dental 64, 69 Dental caries 64, 69 Diabetes 64, 72 Diarrhoea 62, 64, 68, 72, 83 Diplopia 79 Discharge 63, 64, 76, 78, 81, 86, 88 Discomfort 83 Disorders 62 Dizziness 64 Doctor 78, 83, 89 Double vision 79 Drools 80 Dumbness 64 Dysentery 62, 64 Dysuria 67
E Ear 55, 58, 64 Ear discharge 64 Ear discharges 72, 73, 79 Ectopic 64 Elbow 55, 58 Elephantiasis 64 Epistaxis 62, 71
F Fainted 76 Feel uneasy 76 Female 62, 91 Fever 64, 65, 66, 71, 94 Fingers 55, 58 Fits 64 Flatus 83 Foot 56, 58, 65 Foot rot 65, 72 Fore head 55 Foreign 79 Foreign body 79 Foreign body in the eye 79 Foul breath 65 Fungal Nail Infection 65
G General body pains 65 Genital ulcers 73 Growth 74 Grunting 91 Guinea worm 65
H Haematuria 62 Haemoptysis 94
98
Index Haemorrhage 65 Haemorrhoids 68
Itch 75, 78 Itches 71, 78, 79, 87
Hair 55, 58, 65 Halitosis 65, 78, 80 Hand 55, 58 Head 55, 58 Headache 65, 78, 93 Heartburn 94 Heart disease 71 Heat rash 65 Hepatitis 65, 72 Hepatitis/ liver disease 72 Herpes labialis 63, 65 Hiccups 76 High temperature 64, 65 HIV 62, 87 HIV/AIDS 87 Hole in heart 66 Hunger 66 Hypertension 66 Hypertensive 73 Hypoglycaemia 66
Itching 66, 79
J January 89 Jaundice 66, 94
K Kidney disease 66 Knee 56 Knees 66
L Leprosy 66 Liver 65, 67, 72 Liver cancer 67 Liver disease 65, 72 Lump 67, 81 Lymph node swelling 67
M Mad 73, 74 Mad/ insane 73 Madness 67 Malaria 67, 69 Marital affair 86 Married 86 May 76, 86, 88 Measles 67 Menopause 88 Menses 88 Menstrual disorder 67 Menstrual pain 67, 75
I Illness 74, 78 Impotence 66 Impotent 86 Infection 65 Injured 81, 84 Insane 73 Insomnia 76 Intestinal disease 66 Irritation 66
99
Index Mental illness 74, 78 Migraine 67
Perineal 68 Piles 68
Miscarriage 67 Month 89, 91, 92 Mouth 55, 58 Mucoid 62, 64, 83 Mumps 67
Pimples 68 Pityriasis vesicolor 68 Polio 68 Pregnancy 64, 75 Prolapse 75 Pushing 76
N Nails 56 Nasal congestion 63 Nausea 67 Nauseous 94 Navel 58, 82 Neck 55, 58 Newborn 64 Nipple 55 Node swelling 67, 75 Non-healing ulcer 63 Nose 55, 58, 62, 63, 68, 71, 75, 93 Numb 79
P Pain 62, 67, 68, 70, 71, 73, 75, 76, 78, 81, 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 93 Pains 65, 80, 81 Palm 55, 56, 58 Palpitation 82 Panic 67 Panicky 72 Paralysis 76 Paralysis 68, 69 Paronychia 65 Penis 58, 86
R Rabies 68 Rash 65, 68, 69 Rectal prolapse 68, 75 Rheumatism 68, 83 Rib 55 Ringworm 68 Running nose 68 Runny nose 93
S Scalp 68, 78 Scalp itches 78 Scrotum 87 Seizure 69 Sensitive tooth 79 Severe malaria 69 Sex 76, 86, 87 Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) 87 Sexual partner 86 Shingles 68 Shoulder 55, 58 Skin cancer 69 Snoring 69 Sore 63, 65, 67, 73, 74, 80, 82
100
Index
U
Split lip 80 Splitting 74, 78
Ulcer 63, 69
Start 78, 83, 89, 91 Startling attack 73 Stomach 55, 58, 69 Stomach ulcer 69 Stroke 69 Stye 63, 69 Sunday 95 Swallowing 68, 80 Swelling 67 Syphilis 69
Ulcers 73 Urine 62, 72, 73, 86, 88 Urticaria 69
V Vagina 55 Vaginal discharge 63 Vaginal itch 75 Vesicolor 68 Vision 62, 78, 79 Vomit 93 Vomiting 70
T Tearing eye 69, 70 Temperature 65 Tetanus 69 Thigh 55 Throat 68, 69, 76, 80 Throat cancer 69 Throw up 93 Tinea capitis 68 Tinnitus 79 Toe 56 Toe nails 56 Tonic seizure 69 Tooth 64, 69, 79, 80 Toothache 69, 79, 80 Tooth decay 64, 69 Treatment 78 Tuberculosis 69, 74, 94 Twisted 81 Typhoid 69
W Waist 55, 58, 70 Weak 76, 86, 93 Week 89, 92 Whooping cough 70, 73, 94 Wife 86
Y Year 89, 91
101
102
103
104