Learn language online

In Togo, Ewe (pronounced "É-Vé-É") is one of the two national languages alongside Kabiyé and shapes the everyday life from Lomé to the interior of the country. Around 40 percent of the population of Togo belong to the people of Ewe. They are the largest ethnic group in the country. But Ewe does not end at the national border. In Southeast Ghanas, in the so-called Volta region, also live several millions Ewe spokesman. The colonial period has divided a language community that actually belonged together.

Ewe belongs to the Gbe language family, a group of closely related languages in West Africa. These include Mina, Fon and Adja. So whoever speaks Ewe understands a lot. The Gbe-Völkers have their common roots in the historical kingdom of Tado, which once was in the border area between today's Togo and Benin.

In Togo multilingualism is not an educational ideal, but Normality. Children grow up with Ewe as a native language, learn French as an official language at school and often catch a third or fourth language in everyday life. South dominates Ewein the north of Kabiyé. Both are official national languages next to French. Togoreads change fluently between languages, depending on the situation and conversation partner.

This self-evidentness clearly distinguishes Togo from Ghana. There English is the official language, while Twi is used as an everyday language. Ewe is only one Regional language of the Volta region in southeast Ghanas. Ewe spokespersons exist in both countries, but while the language in Togo contributes to public life, in Ghana it remains more restricted to family and region.
The debate also differs: The Togolese Ewe sounds different from the Ghanaian Ewe with his English fief words.

When speaking, we use lips, teeth and tongue without thinking about it. In Ewe it is worth listening more closely. Because this language differs Sounds that exist in almost no other language in the world.

Most languages in the world, including German, English, French, Spanish, but also most African languages, have only one way, "f" and "w": With lower lip and teeth. Ewe has two types. Once with lower lip and teeth, as in German. And once with both lips, without teeth.

Whether you speak with teeth or with lips, the word changes. It's almost nowhere else. Even the closely related Gbe languages such as Fon or Mina do not have this feature.

Togo shares many cultural elements with Ghana, such as traditional Fufu dishes, Kente substances or also names after weekdays. This proximity is evident in everyday life and in family connections across the border. But sprawn the country is more oriented towards other French-speaking countries.