Sometimes Words Fail Us...: Expanding Meaning-Making Opportunities by Using Adinkra Symbols and Yoruba Proverbs

• In Event: Multicultural, Responsive, and Sustaining Pedagogies

Abstract

As West African immigrants teaching in U.S. based classrooms, we feel our Africanness exists on the periphery, and is not centered in the classroom, but it should be. Steeped in other linguistic repertoires, we utilize a trans-linguistic mix of praxis using Adinkra symbols and Yoruba proverbs to (1) authentically express ourselves in dialogic interaction and feedback, (2) build on meaning-making literacy practices and broaden dialogic discussions, and (3) illuminate our cultural practices while providing our students with another linguistic worldview that goes beyond the Eurocentric meaning-making experience and language use. Therefore, we use Adinkra symbols and Yoruba proverbs for feedback and dialogic discussions as our instructional practice because we enjoy the opportunities for authenticity, intersubjectivity, and reciprocity they provide.

Authors

• Mellissa Gyimah-Concepcion, Elgin Community College

• Olabisi Adenekan, Oakton College