Abstract:
This study investigates language practices of the speakers of Ewe in the Adeiso
speech community. Specifically, the study investigates language choices across
domains among the Ewe in Adeiso and aims at identifying the consequences of such
language behaviour on the speaking of Ewe in the Adeiso speech community. The
descriptive design and mixed approach were employed in the study which was done
in three Ewe speaking communities - Ayigbe Town, Ndoda and Dzakpatra in Adeiso
with a total of one hundred and twenty-six (126) participants. Data was gathered using
survey and interviews. Responses from the questionnaire were analysed with the
SPSS, employing descriptive statistics aided by the Sociolinguistic Variationist
Approach. Findings were then explained within the framework of the Marked
Bilingualism Model. The results show that Ewe dominates the life of its speakers in
Adeiso as it is the main language used in the home, neighbourhood, religious
gatherings and the school to some extent. Language mixing also pervades the speech
of the Ewe bilingual as they switch between Ewe and Akan, and English in the case of
those who have formal education. The study also reveals that the speakers of Ewe are
strongly attached to their language and desire for its continuity. The study concluded
that the Ewe in Adeiso are maintaining their language to a large extent, but with some
instances of code switching.
Description:
A Thesis in the Department of Applied Linguistics,
Faculty of Foreign Languages Education and Communication,
submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Applied Linguistics)
in the University of Education, Winneba
NOVEMBER, 2020