Proceedings of The International Social Sciences Conference
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Pidgin Languages in Ghana and Nigeria: A Sociolinguistic Investigation
Fati Haruna Dickson, Chantel Larbi, Selina Gariba
ABSTRACT:
Pidgin languages have played a crucial role in facilitating communication and cultural exchange in many parts of the world, including West Africa. This paper focuses on the use of pidgins in Ghana and Nigeria, two countries with a rich linguistic diversity and a history of pidgin emergence and evolution. By examining the sociolinguistic contexts and functions of pidgins in these nations, this study aims to contribute to our understanding of language contact, language use, and language attitudes in multilingual societies. The paper outlines the various research methodologies employed in this investigation. Firstly, ethnographic fieldwork and participant observation were conducted in selected communities in Ghana and Nigeria, where pidgins are commonly used. This approach allowed researchers to gain insights into the real-life contexts and patterns of pidgin usage, as well as the sociocultural factors that influence their development and maintenance. Secondly, sociolinguistic interviews and surveys were administered to gather data on language attitudes, language choices, and the perceived functions and domains of pidgin use among different demographic groups. These methodologies provided quantitative and qualitative data on the social and linguistic factors that shape pidgin use in Ghana and Nigeria. Additionally, the paper highlights the importance of historical and archival research in tracing the origins and evolution of pidgins in these countries. By examining historical records, travelogues, and linguistic documentation, researchers aimed to reconstruct the historical trajectories of pidgin formation and the sociopolitical contexts that facilitated their emergence. Furthermore, the paper emphasises the use of linguistic analysis methodologies, such as structural and comparative analyses, to investigate the grammatical features, linguistic composition, and potential substrate influences of the pidgins spoken in Ghana and Nigeria. These analyses aimed to shed light on the linguistic processes involved in pidgin formation and the relationships between these pidgins and their contributing languages. Based on the findings, the study recommends incorporating Pidgin languages into educational curricula to improve literacy and learning outcomes. It also suggests the development of language policies that recognize and support the use of Pidgin in formal and informal domains, thereby promoting social cohesion and communication efficiency.
keywords: Ghanaian Pidgin, language and attitudes, language identity, multilingual societies and Nigerian Pidgin