David Adu-Amankwah (Uncle Dave) is an Akan, born in Sunyani, Ghana. After receiving his elementary and secondary education at Afrisipa and Kumasi respectively, he attended University of Ghana, where he earned a B.A. (Hons.) degree in linguistics. While serving as teaching and research assistant at the Department of Linguistics after his initial graduation, he studied for his M. Phil. degree. Soon after submitting his dissertation to the University Graduate School, he got a scholarship to study for his Ph.D. at Indiana University, USA. After earning his Ph.D. and M.Ed. degrees, he joined the African Studies Program of Indiana University as faculty. His research interests have been in language, folklore, and culture, with special reference to the Akan ethnic group. He has taught language and culture courses at Indiana University, Bloomington, since 1994. He has also served as examiner/evaluator (English and Akan languages) for local and foreign examination boards with great interest. He has published several journal articles, encyclopedia entries, and books (including Asante-Twi Learners’ Reference Grammar (2003), Wo Nso Ka Bi: Basic Akan Grammar and Practice (2013), Understanding your Writing Test in English: Titbits for School Candidates (2015), Tie Ma Mense Wo: Basic Vocabulary for Asante-Twi Learners (2016), and Siesie Wo Ho Sie: Elementary Akan (Asante-Twi) Vocabulary (2018). Uncle Dave’s Akan Jokelore: Jokes and Joking in an African Community is coming out soon, and he's currently reviewing the Siesie Wo Ho Sie text for re-printing. He is Esther’s husband, and father of Ivy, Kate, Emelia, and Chris Adu-Amankwah.

E-Mail:    daduaman@indiana.edu

                daduaman088@gmail.com