1. Why do you call the series generational error? Do you atribute the errors to older generation who first came into contact with these plants? Wouldn't it be nice if you said a bit more about how those errors came about?
... read full comment
1. Why do you call the series generational error? Do you atribute the errors to older generation who first came into contact with these plants? Wouldn't it be nice if you said a bit more about how those errors came about?
2. I come from the Volta Region and I do not recognise the fruit the Gas call yoni which others erroneously call blackberry. There's a fruit common in my area which the Ewes call "efor". The fruits are green when not ripe and become black with soft flesh when they are ripe. As kids we called it blackberries for the obvious reason that they are so black when they are ripe and they look like - berries (that we had seen in our "Nature Studies" books). Your teeth become black when you eat them but these black teeth can easily be wiped clean even with your fingers. I thought what we call "efor" is what you were referring to but I got confused when you likened it to groundnut whose pod is broken to get at the seeds that we chew. "Efor" doesn't have a pod that should be broken but a soft skin. We eat surrounding the seed but not the seed itself. Efor grows wild. Nobody plants it. Are we talking of the same thing?
3. Is orange a berry and what makes it such?
4. Can you adopt a different method of describing the fruits (items) rather than asking us to see the attached pictures and click on them to expand them? Ghanaweb does not publish illustrative pictures, tables, diagrams or even italics, bolds, etc. You should take that into account when submitting articles to the site.
5. And what's the use of dropping a comment when there are no responses from you?
why 9 years ago
The yoyi tree is also call kpomi tree by some ewes (those from the gbi traditional area). Plse find out from other ewes
The yoyi tree is also call kpomi tree by some ewes (those from the gbi traditional area). Plse find out from other ewes
IDRIS PACAS 9 years ago
First, I chose the title 'Generational Errors' because our own teachers taught us these wrongs. I guess this is your first time of reading these write-ups. Click on my name at the top to follow the rest.
Next time, NEVER h ... read full comment
First, I chose the title 'Generational Errors' because our own teachers taught us these wrongs. I guess this is your first time of reading these write-ups. Click on my name at the top to follow the rest.
Next time, NEVER hesitate to conclude prematurely. Here am I responding to your comments.
The Gas call it 'yoyi' and not 'yoni'.
The fruit you described is botanically called Vitex doniana. The common name is West African black plum. Just Google the botanical name to see the photos.
Orange is a berry botanically termed hesperidium. It's s berry because it has juicy pulp containing many seeds.
Also, note that Ghana web sometimes publishes photos. It has published some of my articles with photos, eg, 'Clear these refuse dumps from roadsides'.
Finally, you may leave behind your mail to receive the original write-up or just call me.
Nana Kwaku 9 years ago
Idris, I wish I could ask KRB the meaning of ash. He will tell you it is the color of the clouds. If you ask him to describe the residue from a coal pot, I have no idea how he can achieve that. This is a clear example of gene ... read full comment
Idris, I wish I could ask KRB the meaning of ash. He will tell you it is the color of the clouds. If you ask him to describe the residue from a coal pot, I have no idea how he can achieve that. This is a clear example of generational error. The colour ash instead of grey is mostly taught in our schools. I had to fight my wife over this when correcting my kids.
Tea is another example. As a country, we cannot tell the difference between cocoa drink and tea. It's the educated ones who disappoint us the most. They help in creating confusion the more. An educated Ghanaian will send his child to buy him or her either milo tea or tea tea. What on earth are we teaching our youth? I have met educated Ghanaians who cannot tell the difference between binoculars and a telescope, after being taught in secondary school that bi means two. Ask them the opposite of a bicycle, and you will not get a unicycle for an answer.
The Chinese made the word aphrodisiac more understandable in Ghana. They got to know after all that one of our priorities is sex. Most Ghanaians (living in Accra) will ask you to go to Dzorwulu if you're looking for an aphrodisiac. You'll be labeled a mad person if you try asking if you can purchase some. "Why! You dey craze? You want to buy a whole night club?"
Boomerang! Someone should please continue for me. Thanks.
KRB 9 years ago
I was only interested in the exact reasons why Idris chooses to call his series generational errors. It isn't because I think he is wrong in calling it so.
But there are implications to such a name. Some of what we may ca ... read full comment
I was only interested in the exact reasons why Idris chooses to call his series generational errors. It isn't because I think he is wrong in calling it so.
But there are implications to such a name. Some of what we may call a generational error may simply be the process by which a language is changing. This is especially pertinent for English language with different variations being increasing acceptable these days. Just look at the number of different "Englishes" that Microsoft makes provisions for in its word processor. Some of these changes are just the results of generational errors becoming acceptable. Some time, when "Ghamain English" (English as Ghanaians speak it) some of these errors will no longer be errors.
This may be the reason why Americans say "sidewalk" instead of "pavement" or "trucks" when they should be saying "lorries" (Winston Churchill jokingly referred to this in an address to Congress in the late 1940s; incidentally, Churchill's mother was an American).
Even in England, they are also grappling with generational errors. English orthography today is notorious perhaps because of generational errors. "Knife" may be spelt that way perhaps because a long time ago it was pronounced differently but some generations made some errors which we inherited and no longer regard as errors.
Of course, most of Idris' examples are taken from botany and in that field, the ideal is to achieve clarity and uniformity - something the often Latinized botanical names are designed to ensure for the avoidance of doubt.
There's also another angle to all these things for us in Ghana who also want to preserve and improve our local languages. The colour concept called grey looks like the colour of ash whose local language equivalent we will adopt to describe that colour. Nana, try naming the colours of the spectrum in your local language. I am Ewe and in primary school, we were taught that the Ewe word for the colour brown is the same word we use for "dogshit"...
So what? Well, some of these generational errors may become acceptable in the future when they'll cease to be errors.
I leave the rest for the linguists to tell us about...
KRB 9 years ago
Thanks for the explanation, Idris. Gemega bellow has provided the right name in Ewe which makes your description sensible and correct to me now. What I mistakenly described is more a plum than a berry.
I've read your othe ... read full comment
Thanks for the explanation, Idris. Gemega bellow has provided the right name in Ewe which makes your description sensible and correct to me now. What I mistakenly described is more a plum than a berry.
I've read your other articles also and left comments some of them a bit lengthy. In fact, this is not the first time I am requesting you to engage with your readers on the forum. It's not the first time you've directly responded to me either.
As you said, ghanaweb SOMETIMES publishes photos. But you can never depend on ghanaweb posting a picture you attach to your article. NEVER count on it. Often, they don't. Sometimes they even accompany articles with their own appropriate pics even though you didn't send one yourself. But never count on that. Other Ghanaian websites have time to post pics. Not ghanaweb. So if you write articles to ghanaweb do not describe things that can be understood by the reader only with the help of an accompanying photo, figure, diagram, table or complex mathematical equations involving foreign language letters. Do not even count on the reader googling the photos. All old time contributors to ghanaweb know this and tune their articles accordingly. Most readers will appreciate it if you do the same.
And don't forget, ghanaweb sets a limit of ten comments from every person per article unless you change to a computer with a different ipaddress. So if you wish to respond to many people, know how to distribute your "account".
Thanks, Idris.
IDRIS PACAS 9 years ago
Thank you!
Thank you!
C.Y. ANDY-K 9 years ago
It is called "atsitoe" (atitoe in standard written Ewe) by the Anlos. The tree can grow to be big like what we, perhaps, also erroneously called fig tree (egbotsi).
It is a pity that one hardly sees atsitoe trees in the c ... read full comment
It is called "atsitoe" (atitoe in standard written Ewe) by the Anlos. The tree can grow to be big like what we, perhaps, also erroneously called fig tree (egbotsi).
It is a pity that one hardly sees atsitoe trees in the coastal Anlo area these days. We used to raid them as kids, and well, the tree "owners" started cutting them down, as they never get the chance to savour the ripe fruits themselves.:-)
BTW, Mungo Park wasn't the first European to reach the river Niger. That river was used by white slave traders and later "legitimate" traders in Nigeria for centuries before Mungo Park was born. He was the acclaimed first European to explore its source from the Fuja Jallons in Guinea-Conakry, thereby establishing its thitherto unknown origin.
Very interesting piece though.
Andy-K
London Whale. 9 years ago
Efor would be classified as plum instead of berry.
Efor would be classified as plum instead of berry.
why 9 years ago
Thank u very much for this educative actical. It is the best story i have read in the year. Iook forword to of these. Good work
Thank u very much for this educative actical. It is the best story i have read in the year. Iook forword to of these. Good work
Li 9 years ago
More grease to your elbow.Thanks.
More grease to your elbow.Thanks.
Charles (careless) 9 years ago
powerful reasearch work there! love it, but I thought 'haaraa' in dagaaree is what we were told is called blackberry.
powerful reasearch work there! love it, but I thought 'haaraa' in dagaaree is what we were told is called blackberry.
IDRIS PACAS 9 years ago
What the people of the Upper West Region of Ghana especially the Waalas/Dagaabas misname blackberry is called West African blackplum.In their own language, they call blackplum 'haaraa'. Botanically, African blackplum is calle ... read full comment
What the people of the Upper West Region of Ghana especially the Waalas/Dagaabas misname blackberry is called West African blackplum.In their own language, they call blackplum 'haaraa'. Botanically, African blackplum is called Vitex doniana.
Here in Accra, it's African velvet tamarind that is rather erroneously called blackberry. My good Ewe friend said they call it 'atitoe'.
London Whale. 9 years ago
The black plum is "efor" in Ewe.
The black plum is "efor" in Ewe.
Y.Gemega 9 years ago
This is an interesting article which should interest a lot of different groups of people, teachers, pharmacists, herbalists, caterers, etc.etc. For example, many recipes mention names of vegetables fruits and spices that we h ... read full comment
This is an interesting article which should interest a lot of different groups of people, teachers, pharmacists, herbalists, caterers, etc.etc. For example, many recipes mention names of vegetables fruits and spices that we have but the names used for them are different from what we know. For the sake of those Ewes who come from where I come and may not know the Ga name, the yoyi you are writing about is called "atitoe". I am really interested in the soft copy and as you promised, I can be reached on elom.enks.ent@gmail.com. Thank you for the enlightenment. More grease to your elbows.
KRB 9 years ago
Gemega, you're right. It's really what Ewes call "atitoe". Why didn't I think of that right away? They're small black and have shells that must be broken to get to the seed that is the delight you're searching for. But you ca ... read full comment
Gemega, you're right. It's really what Ewes call "atitoe". Why didn't I think of that right away? They're small black and have shells that must be broken to get to the seed that is the delight you're searching for. But you can break them with your thumb and fingers...
But atitoe don't grow in the forest areas of the Volta Region and are brought from the south. I think the word "atitoe" is even Anlo rather than "Ewedome".
Thanks, Gemega, for the explanation.
C.Y. ANDY-K 9 years ago
Ah! You've got. I wrote my response b4 seeing these below.
Andy-K
Ah! You've got. I wrote my response b4 seeing these below.
Andy-K
Tekonline.org 9 years ago
Very informative, Idris.
By the way, another berry was "discovered" in Ghana many years ago by Westerners. Now it is called "Serendipity Berry" with the botanical name "Dioscoreophyllum volkensii".
This berry contains a ... read full comment
Very informative, Idris.
By the way, another berry was "discovered" in Ghana many years ago by Westerners. Now it is called "Serendipity Berry" with the botanical name "Dioscoreophyllum volkensii".
This berry contains a non-nutritive sweetener 100,000 times sweeter than sugar (sucrose).
Ghanaians have known about this berry for ages. The Fantis call it "Asaba".
I understand a German company now ships these berries from the Central Region for processing abroad for the benefit of diabetics.
Would you happen to know about this berry?
By the way, to date all berries known to mankind have been found to be the richest sources of antioxidants, which are very important in protecting against inflammation and aging.
Mawuli 9 years ago
Oh my goodness! Mr. Pacas, I love your writing style so much, I read topics I wouldn't have had any interest in reading. I wish I had met a teacher like you in the subject of botany or what we use to call in elementary school ... read full comment
Oh my goodness! Mr. Pacas, I love your writing style so much, I read topics I wouldn't have had any interest in reading. I wish I had met a teacher like you in the subject of botany or what we use to call in elementary school as Nature Studies.
You are endowed with the gift of teaching. God bless you and keep it coming.
You're one of my beloved contributors on Ghanaweb.
Akora 8 years ago
Thanks Pascas, I have been educated today.
Thanks Pascas, I have been educated today.
London Whale. 9 years ago
We should also stop referring to mackerel as salmon.
We should also stop referring to mackerel as salmon.
Spiky 9 years ago
This is an interesting and useful article. However, I think it is arrogant, if not risky, to use the term "generational error" - as in your Generational Error Series - in a scientific context. In science all knowledge is tent ... read full comment
This is an interesting and useful article. However, I think it is arrogant, if not risky, to use the term "generational error" - as in your Generational Error Series - in a scientific context. In science all knowledge is tentative and only holds true until new evidence/knowledge comes to the fore. By using the term "Generational Error" you are treading on dangerous grounds of closure, and I wonder how you would respond or feel (humbled or belligerent?) when, say, ten years from now someone scientifically finds that what you have written today to correct a "generational error" is also a "generational error". Your series may appear to contribute to knowledge, and it's a good thing that you are doing, but avoid slipping into the generational error that you decry.
kda 8 years ago
interesting piece Mr Pacas
i have been wondering the local names of such fruits and vegetables.
interesting piece Mr Pacas
i have been wondering the local names of such fruits and vegetables.
miriam20832@yahoo.com 8 years ago
interesting
I am thrilled
interesting
I am thrilled
Nodivero 8 years ago
Am so excited , thank you for the great research work and teaching.
Am so excited , thank you for the great research work and teaching.
Nodivero 8 years ago
My son (an African -Italian) is so fun of Ghana. He always love to know of a thing or the other ,it's name in Ghana, the use, ect. Today he visited me in my house here in Italy since we live in diferent localities , discribe ... read full comment
My son (an African -Italian) is so fun of Ghana. He always love to know of a thing or the other ,it's name in Ghana, the use, ect. Today he visited me in my house here in Italy since we live in diferent localities , discribed this fruit he ate when he was young and we visited Ghana. He wanted to know it's name in Ghana. So l told him " yoyi in Ga , and astitoe in Ewe" He later txt me " African velvet tamarind" l read all of your article concerining Afrcan velvet tamarind . Am very, very greatful for your great research work. I hope people like you will be opportuned teach these subjects on our Ghanian TV , than all those ugly movies .Good one there Sir. Idris
Andrew Y. 7 years ago
these are just the kinds of people we would love to see and have take Ghana to the next level of development; teaching the next generation of Ghanaians the right things. God bless. email: ekaudji.andrew@gmail.com
these are just the kinds of people we would love to see and have take Ghana to the next level of development; teaching the next generation of Ghanaians the right things. God bless. email: ekaudji.andrew@gmail.com
1. Why do you call the series generational error? Do you atribute the errors to older generation who first came into contact with these plants? Wouldn't it be nice if you said a bit more about how those errors came about?
...
read full comment
The yoyi tree is also call kpomi tree by some ewes (those from the gbi traditional area). Plse find out from other ewes
First, I chose the title 'Generational Errors' because our own teachers taught us these wrongs. I guess this is your first time of reading these write-ups. Click on my name at the top to follow the rest.
Next time, NEVER h ...
read full comment
Idris, I wish I could ask KRB the meaning of ash. He will tell you it is the color of the clouds. If you ask him to describe the residue from a coal pot, I have no idea how he can achieve that. This is a clear example of gene ...
read full comment
I was only interested in the exact reasons why Idris chooses to call his series generational errors. It isn't because I think he is wrong in calling it so.
But there are implications to such a name. Some of what we may ca ...
read full comment
Thanks for the explanation, Idris. Gemega bellow has provided the right name in Ewe which makes your description sensible and correct to me now. What I mistakenly described is more a plum than a berry.
I've read your othe ...
read full comment
Thank you!
It is called "atsitoe" (atitoe in standard written Ewe) by the Anlos. The tree can grow to be big like what we, perhaps, also erroneously called fig tree (egbotsi).
It is a pity that one hardly sees atsitoe trees in the c ...
read full comment
Efor would be classified as plum instead of berry.
Thank u very much for this educative actical. It is the best story i have read in the year. Iook forword to of these. Good work
More grease to your elbow.Thanks.
powerful reasearch work there! love it, but I thought 'haaraa' in dagaaree is what we were told is called blackberry.
What the people of the Upper West Region of Ghana especially the Waalas/Dagaabas misname blackberry is called West African blackplum.In their own language, they call blackplum 'haaraa'. Botanically, African blackplum is calle ...
read full comment
The black plum is "efor" in Ewe.
This is an interesting article which should interest a lot of different groups of people, teachers, pharmacists, herbalists, caterers, etc.etc. For example, many recipes mention names of vegetables fruits and spices that we h ...
read full comment
Gemega, you're right. It's really what Ewes call "atitoe". Why didn't I think of that right away? They're small black and have shells that must be broken to get to the seed that is the delight you're searching for. But you ca ...
read full comment
Ah! You've got. I wrote my response b4 seeing these below.
Andy-K
Very informative, Idris.
By the way, another berry was "discovered" in Ghana many years ago by Westerners. Now it is called "Serendipity Berry" with the botanical name "Dioscoreophyllum volkensii".
This berry contains a ...
read full comment
Oh my goodness! Mr. Pacas, I love your writing style so much, I read topics I wouldn't have had any interest in reading. I wish I had met a teacher like you in the subject of botany or what we use to call in elementary school ...
read full comment
Thanks Pascas, I have been educated today.
We should also stop referring to mackerel as salmon.
This is an interesting and useful article. However, I think it is arrogant, if not risky, to use the term "generational error" - as in your Generational Error Series - in a scientific context. In science all knowledge is tent ...
read full comment
interesting piece Mr Pacas
i have been wondering the local names of such fruits and vegetables.
interesting
I am thrilled
Am so excited , thank you for the great research work and teaching.
My son (an African -Italian) is so fun of Ghana. He always love to know of a thing or the other ,it's name in Ghana, the use, ect. Today he visited me in my house here in Italy since we live in diferent localities , discribe ...
read full comment
these are just the kinds of people we would love to see and have take Ghana to the next level of development; teaching the next generation of Ghanaians the right things. God bless. email: ekaudji.andrew@gmail.com