CASTING INSINUATIONS (slight)

 

 CASTING INSINUATIONS (SLIGHT)

In Ghana , writing at the back of vehicles has become a social phenomenon and a medium for communicating a commonly held view , a believe or maxim. It is also a way of ‘subbing’ . Subbing is a social media jargon for using derogatory statements about someone and not tagging them . In the Akan language , it is called ‘akasaatwiw’ or ‘akutiabo’ .

Insults and insinuations are more likely to be frequent in societies with less human development index , where individuals result to indirect form of insults for fear of victimization but the more endowed or elites in the society . These inscriptions represent generally held views in a society , though specifically individuals use it as a conduit for expressing their gratitude , the language, the choice and structure of sentences use in these represents the form and subject of at least small group discussions of the various age groups . While some shanty areas like Nima, Abosokai, etc may result to instant justice , individuals result to writing at the backs of their vehicles hoping that their messages would get across to their targeted audience . In the example above , when the driver was interviewed , it was clear that he feels his efforts and hardwork was irritating some people . Though his statement hasn’t got any recipient on it , the recipient will quickly know its for him .

An akan proverb says , ‘ akutia biara nim ne wura’ to wits , every criticism knows its target . Insinuations also serve as an alternative to expressing bottled up emotions when it is difficult to find someone you can confide in on personal matters .

Additionally , the educational levels of those engaged in such practice are relatively lower and this explains why such inscriptions are often fraught with grammatical errors and spelling errors . meanwhile they mean to demonstrate or tell their own philosophies in life , it evokes humour in the minds of its audience .

It tells the type of social structure that exist within the community where these vehicles are from. In communities where ‘ mechanical solidarity’ is practiced , inscriptions on vehicles as a means of slight is rampant . 







BY : IRENE OFORI AGYEMAN