Diglossia in the multicultural space оf the Republic of Ghana
Keywords:
indigenous languages, English language, Republic of Ghana, Akan, ethnic group, culture, diglossiaAbstract
The landscape of the Republic of Ghana is described as a multilingual one because of many indigenous and foreign languages spoken at the length and breadth of the country. The study is aimed at identifying the factors that led to the functional semi-literacy, low level of education and social status of a part of the population in the country that experienced the times of colonization. Historical coexistence of the English language and indigenous languages in the Republic of Ghana has led to nativization with some scholars postulating the existence of a new English called Ghanaian English. There is a diglossic relationship between English and the indigenous languages, whereby the English language is usually used in formal communication (school, parliament house, governmental organizations) and indigenous languages are used in the informal communication (home, traditional ceremonies, etc.). However, there is growing tendency of the English language creeping into the informal sector (family). The adherence to the diglossic situation in the country could be a remedy in the preservation of indigenous languages and culture. The analysis of the language space of Ghana revealed the measures undertaken to develop and preserve indigenous languages, the ways of preventing their extinction.
References
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