West Africa (Benin) Shane W 1:30 |

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Language
Describe the language(s) spoken in your culture
    • French is the main language
    • 54 tribal languages throughout Benin
    • English is taught as one of the two foreign languages in Benin
    • Literacy rate is 39%; Men- 53% Women- 25%
    • 175 blind people- 1 deaf institute total
    • On the coast is it very common to be able to speak English in the Tourist areas but the further you go into the villages French is the only language spoken
Sayings in FON!
· Good morning AH-FON ghan-jee-ah
· How are you? AH-DOH ghan-jee-ah
· Thank you AH-WAH-nou
· Good bye OH-dah-boh

· Describe the language's key characteristics? (Is it tonal? click? unique grammar? etc.?)
    • Benin languages take on form from both English and French although they transcribe every sound with a separate letter rather than using diacritics or digraphs
· Describe any notable rituals of communication? (special handshakes, gestures, etc.?)
  • · In Benin, no one is a stranger everyone is greeted. Strangers are usually greeted with a glass of water and if it is meal time they will be expect to eat. They must kneel to elders and members of high social status in the community in a sign of respect
  • Sodabi is given to guests and expect to drink
  • People greet one another by clapping their hands and saying "ko ko ko", person responds saying who's there? then the other says "me" the houseowner must then know by their voice if they know the vistor or if they are a guest
  • When people know each other very well they will add a snap into their hand shake
  • People greet elders and high in high status by grabbing their right elbow and shaking hands with their right hand while being bent at the knees
  • Large groups people will grasp their hands together over their heads and shake them and that is a sign of greeting
Can anybody and everybody speak to anybody and everybody anytime, or are there rules about who can say what, to whom, etc.? (any gender or status differences in communication?)

    • Right to play has made it easier for children to approach adults and be more open with communication, child use to be scared to talk to people older than them but now the communication has been opened thanks to Right to Play and the activities they did that opened up lines of communication.
Describe any special forms of communication, such as special types of speech for ritual or political purposes? Any special entertainment styles of communication (such as poetry)?
      • Voodoo is very common in West Benin. It is followed by around 60% of the population. It is a way for them to connect with spirits or give them gifts such as animal sacrifice. It gives them a way to communicate with their thoughts and emotions.
      • Voodoo in Fon mean 'god', 'spirit', 'power'
      • Largest religion group in Benin