Language practices of the Ewe in Adeiso

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.