Language Shift and Maintenance of Ga in Accra

Eric Ziem Bibiebome ,Jacob Anderson ,Ivy Jones-Mensah

doi:10.7176/jep/10-15-11

Abstract

The situation whereby a speech community uses its language in fewer domains relating to other languages or even loses proficiency entirely in its language in favor of other languages as a consequence of urbanization is a widespread social phenomenon that affects several millions of speech communities all over the world. Some studies have been made, especially, from Western perspectives, in order to get a good understanding of this social phenomenon so that predictions can be made as regards the future status of languages, especially, subordinate languages in communities with dominants languages. The paper investigates into whether or not the Accra speech community, a highly multilingual city, is shifting from the use of Ga to other languages or is maintaining the use of Ga. The major findings of the study are that language shift situations exist more in non-typical Ga areas while language maintenance is observed in mainstream Ga communities. Some factors responsible for these linguistic phenomena results are highlighted. The results of this study led to the recognition of the need for the Gas to cultivate positive attitude towards their language in domains beyond their homes and the need for adequate language planning in order to assure of maintenance of the native language. Keywords : language shift, language maintenance, speech communities, multilingual. DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-15-11 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Highlights

Language is one of the most powerful tools of social organization and control and has over the years demonstrated to be central and crucial in the society
For instance in table 1 below, it can be observed that the pattern of language use in the immediate environment demonstrated by the respondents from the typical Ga areas is that of monolingualism
5.0 Conclusion Based on the facts presented and the outcome of the survey conducted, one can safely say that the linguistic situation in certain parts of Accra, especially in the non-traditional Ga areas, is marked with language shift possibilities

Summary

Introduction

Language is one of the most powerful tools of social organization and control and has over the years demonstrated to be central and crucial in the society. Everyday as societies interact with one another, the issue of language contact comes into play. In the words of Mesthrie, Swann, Duemert, and Leap (2000:248), “language contact sometimes occurs when there is increased social interaction between people from neighboring territories who have traditionally spoken different languages.”. In reference to some sociolinguistic works such as Janse (2003), Batibo (2005), Wardhaugh (1987), and Myers-Scotton (2006), when languages come into contact with one another, any of the following outcomes is possible. In all of the outcomes mentioned above, one linguistic phenomenon that is likely to arise as a result is multilingualism which is speaker’s ability to use two or more languages

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion