Speaking Twi with an Accent: Julia Ayim on Ghanaian Identity and Belonging

• Name: Julia Ayim

• Country/Location: Montreal, Canada

• Social Media Accounts: @_itsjulee (Instagram), @iitsjulee (TikTok) and YouTube

• Website: https://bio.site/iitsjulee

What happens when you speak Twi but people still question how Ghanaian you are because of your accent?

For many Ghanaians in the diaspora, language is about more than vocabulary or pronunciation. It can connect us to family, childhood memories, culture and a sense of belonging. But when you've grown up across different countries, speaking your mother tongue may come with challenges that others don't always understand.

In this Study Twi feature, Julia opens up about speaking Twi with an accent, the comments she's faced and why she refuses to let language define her Ghanaian identity. Having spent part of her childhood in Ghana before living in other countries, Julia has experienced how language, culture and identity intersect.

Meet Julia Ayim: Ghanaian Creator and Community Builder

Julia is a Ghanaian content creator and event curator based in Montreal. Through her love of travel, she shares experiences, hidden gems and memorable activities both locally and around the world.

She also founded Abonten Social Club, a collective that brings people together through creative, interactive gatherings. Her experiences across different countries have shaped how she sees Ghanaian culture and the role language plays in connecting people.

Rediscovering Ghana Through Travel and Culture

What surprises you when you return to Ghana?

Having spent part of her childhood in Ghana before moving abroad, Julia says returning can sometimes feel like discovering familiar things all over again.

One thing that continues to stand out is the warmth and sense of community.

“There’s an ease in connecting with people and looking out for one another without it always feeling transactional.”

After living in the diaspora, where life can sometimes feel more individualistic, Julia particularly appreciates the way people connect and look out for one another in Ghana.

Her advice for first-time visitors is to "come hungry!" From kelewele and koko with beans stew to fufu and ebunuebunu soup, she encourages visitors to explore Ghanaian food and discover the country through its flavours.

One of her favourite memories is visiting Safari Valley Resort in the Eastern Region. Trying archery and feeding zebras made the experience feel surreal, reminding her just how much there is to explore in Ghana.

How Speaking Twi Strengthens Julia’s Connection to Ghana

For Julia, Twi has always been part of her connection to family and home.

Growing up, she communicated with her grandparents in Twi. Although her family moved around and she learnt English, French and Spanish, Twi remained present in the household.

She describes the language as a superpower, particularly when family members are in different countries.

“It almost feels like a code language within my family.”

Language can create an immediate sense of connection, even when you're far from home. Julia describes hearing another Ghanaian speaking Twi in the diaspora and being transported back to memories of Accra. Even the word “Akwaaba” at the airport can bring that familiar feeling of belonging.

Her experience highlights how learning and speaking Twi can help preserve family connections and make everyday interactions feel more meaningful.

Want to build your confidence speaking Twi? Explore Study Twi’s online Twi lessons to find a learning option that suits your goals.

Speaking Twi with an Accent: The Challenges Julia Has Faced

“My accent in Twi is a reflection of my multicultural identity”

Julia spent some of her formative years in Togo and Tanzania rather than exclusively in Ghana. As a result, people can sometimes tell from her accent that she grew up across different cultures.

She has faced mockery about how she speaks Twi, including from family members and strangers.

Although these comments can be discouraging, Julia has learnt not to let them define her.

“At the end of the day, my accent in Twi is a reflection of my multicultural identity, and I remind myself that I should be proud to still speak my mother tongue alongside three other languages.”

Her experience is a reminder that speaking Twi with an accent doesn't make you any less Ghanaian. Language develops through our surroundings, relationships and experiences. There isn't one single journey to becoming a confident speaker.

For Ghanaians who grew up abroad or moved between countries, the pressure to sound a certain way can make speaking feel intimidating. But making mistakes, having an accent or needing more practice shouldn't stop you from communicating.

Why speaking Twi at the market matters

Markets are one place where Julia notices the difference her accent can make.

She explains that vendors sometimes assume she's a foreigner based on how she speaks, which can affect how they interact with her or the prices they offer. But there's a moment she finds amusing: when she responds in Twi and they realise she understands what they're saying.

Her experience shows that language can be practical as well as personal. Understanding Twi can help with everyday conversations, navigating markets and connecting with people more comfortably.

It also highlights why learning should be about building useful communication skills, not trying to meet someone else's expectations of how Ghanaian you should sound.

Do You Have to Speak Perfect Twi to Be Ghanaian?

For Julia, the answer is no. Twi is an important part of her connection to Ghana, but she doesn't believe her identity should be measured by how perfectly she speaks it.

The memories she made growing up in Ghana, her family relationships and her wider cultural experiences have all shaped who she is.

She continues to make an effort to speak Twi and improve where she can. However, she doesn't believe an accent or a mistake makes her any less Ghanaian.

This is an important message for anyone who understands Twi but struggles to speak it, feels embarrassed about their pronunciation or worries that they aren't fluent enough to join a conversation. You don't have to speak perfectly to start speaking. Every conversation is an opportunity to practise, learn and grow in confidence.

How Study Twi Can Help You Build Confidence

Julia learnt Twi informally through conversations with family, negotiating at the market and buying from street vendors. While this helped her become comfortable speaking, she says she didn't receive much formal education in the language. As a result, she developed a more limited vocabulary and wasn't always familiar with the grammar rules.

Looking back, she believes formal study could have helped her build a stronger foundation.

Her experience highlights how informal exposure and structured learning can complement one another. Speaking with family gives you opportunities to practise, while lessons can help you develop vocabulary, understand sentence structure and strengthen your reading and writing.

At Study Twi, we help learners build their Twi skills through engaging lessons designed around real communication.

Whether you understand Twi but struggle to reply, want to feel more comfortable speaking with family or are starting from scratch, you can explore our Twi learning options and find a starting point that works for you.

You don't need to wait until your pronunciation is perfect. Start with what you know and build from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you be Ghanaian if you speak Twi with an accent?

Yes. An accent reflects aspects of your language background and experiences. As Julia’s story shows, speaking Twi with an accent doesn't make you any less Ghanaian.

How can I improve my Twi if I understand it but struggle to speak?

Practise speaking regularly, learn useful everyday phrases and build your vocabulary gradually. Structured lessons can help you develop your grammar and confidence, while conversations with family and friends give you opportunities to apply what you've learnt.

Is it too late to learn Twi as an adult?

No. Adults can learn and improve their Twi at any stage of life. Consistent practice, useful learning materials and opportunities to speak can help you make progress.

Why is learning Twi important for Ghanaians in the diaspora?

For many people, Twi provides a way to connect with relatives, participate in conversations and engage more deeply with Ghanaian culture. Everyone's experience is different, but learning can be a meaningful way to strengthen those connections.

Your Twi Journey Starts Where You Are

Julia Ayim's story reminds us that language and identity are deeply personal. Growing up across different countries can shape the way you speak, but it doesn't diminish your connection to Ghana.

Whether you speak Twi fluently, have an accent, understand more than you can say or are only just beginning, you deserve the confidence to keep learning without shame.

You don't have to sound perfect to belong. You can be proud of where you come from and still be learning.

Ready to improve your Twi? Explore Study Twi’s online lessons and take the next step towards speaking with greater confidence.

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About Julia Ayim, her biography:

Julia Ayim is a Ghanaian content creator and event curator based in Montreal, Canada, with a passion for travel, culture and discovering hidden gems. She is the founder of Abonten Social Club, a community that brings people together through creative, interactive experiences and celebrates the joy of connection.

Follow Julia on Instagram at @_itsjulee (Instagram), YouTube and @iitsjulee (TikTok)

This article was created in collaboration with Julia Ayim and Study Twi, drawing on Julia's first-hand experiences and reflections.