Akan Alphabet

This chart contains 22 individual letters. Seven are vowels and fifteen are single-letter consonants. ^[1]

The nine digraphs are shown separately. This keeps letter counts distinct from the wider set of written sound combinations. ^[2]

The page uses a Ghanaian Akan (Twi) teaching convention. It follows the alphabet lesson linked in the references. ^[1]

Akan is spoken mainly in Ghana. Use materials for your target variety when you need more specific spelling guidance. ^[2]

Ɛ and ɔ are separate vowel letters. They occur alongside e and o in the alphabet. ^[1]

Compare ɛ with the vowel in bed. Compare ɔ with aw in saw, allowing for differences between English accents. ^[1]

Akan writes its vowels with seven letters. Some letters have more than one sound. ^[3]

In particular, a, e and o have different realisations. Treat the chart as a spelling guide and practise the sounds in whole words. ^[3]

These combinations are digraphs. Each joins two written letters to represent a consonant sound. ^[3]

Ky is approximately like ch in check, while gy resembles j in join. Tw adds lip rounding to a ch-like sound. Ny is a nasal sound like ny in canyon. ^[3]

Tone can distinguish meanings in Akan. The course describes high and low tones. ^[2]

An acute accent can indicate high tone and a grave accent low tone. These marks describe pitch rather than adding new alphabet letters. ^[2]

The counting lesson gives alternative forms for several numbers. It also lists a separate set for counting people. ^[4]

For example, it gives baanu when counting two people. The digit chart uses mienu as an introductory general form. ^[4]

The labels are approximate sound guides. They are not presented as verified native letter names.

Use the pronunciation hints to compare sounds. Then practise with the linked lessons, especially for combinations without an exact English equivalent. ^[3]