Abstract
All models of intonation recognize that speakers in any communication context select prominence based on their communicative intents. Consequently, every prominent syllable bears a specific communicative function. However, while prominence selection appears fixed in inner circle Englishes, the same cannot be said of outer (OC) and expanding circle (EC) Englishes. Results from research clearly suggest that it is not always possible for OC and EC speakers to select prominence to indicate meaning selection. This study reports findings on the selection of prominence in Ghanaian English in relation to Brazil’s Discourse Intonation model. Data consisting of 6 hours of English conversations from 100 Ghanaians were analyzed using Brazil’s model. Results show that just as in other OC English varieties, Ghanaians assign prominence to individual syllables with communicative intent, although their selections may not always coincide with the functions proposed in Brazil’s model. Based on these results, it is argued that rather than being viewed as deficiencies, phonological choices such as prominence selection should be regarded as common to OC Englishes. The study, therefore, argues for an adoption of a model that describes the intonation of outer circle Englishes in relation to their contexts and not on a native speaker model.
 
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Highlights
The English language has seen a phenomenal expansion across the globe such that its speakers have been grouped into three: inner circle, outer circle, and expanding circle (Kachru, 1986)
4.1 Prominence selection The analysis revealed that prominence is used to the systems proposed in Brazil’s model and different from what might be expected
The analysis showed that speakers of Ghanaian English selected prominence to project new information
Summary
The English language has seen a phenomenal expansion across the globe such that its speakers have been grouped into three: inner circle, outer circle, and expanding circle (Kachru, 1986). According to Kachru, inner circle speakers are those who use English as a native language; outer circle speakers use it as a second language, while expanding circle speakers use it as a foreign language. While inner circle speakers are seen to use the language for specific functions or purposes, the same cannot be said of those outside of it. Research results suggest that speakers of outer circle Englishes (e.g. Ghanaian English, Nigerian English, Indian English) markedly differ from inner circle speakers in the use of phonological features, especially with regard to prosody. Prosodic features include stress (and prominence), rhythm, and intonation.
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