AHANTA-ENGLISH CODE SWITCHING AND CODE MIXING IN CONVERSATION: A CASE OF COMMUNICATORS ON RADIO-AHANTA AWOLOHYῖ DWUMALILΕZƲ (MORNING SHOW)

Authors

  • Grant Essuman Centre for Communication, liberal and Research Studies, Anglican University College of Technology, Ghana
  • John Cudjoe Applied Linguistics Department, University of Education, Winneba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejals.v8i2.600

Keywords:

code-switiching, code-mixing, pragmatics, intersentential, intra-sentential, insertion, alternation, congruent lexicalization

Abstract

One of the most intriguing phenomena in the field of sociolinguistic study is the reason why interlocutors switch and mix codes. When a communication gap occurs in a conversation, bilinguals will occasionally turn to their language repertoire to choose the appropriate linguistic unit. Preachers, other famous personalities, and experts on politics and society all use various communication methods. For the illustrations of linguistic impacts of codeswitching and code-mixing on indigenous language, this paper examines how communicators on Radio Ahanta Awolohyꙇ Dwumalilεzʋ employ code switching and code mixing in their conversations. The sample for the study was chosen using a convenience sampling strategy. Data was gathered throughout a day-long-long conversational session. The researcher's primary method of data collection was recording. The research is strictly descriptive and qualitative. The data were analysed from the perspectives of Hoffman's theory of code switching/mixing and Myers Scotton’s Markedness Model. The results indicated that communicators on Radio Ahanta Awolohyĩ Dwumalilεzʋ switch and mix codes when finding replacements for lexical items, convenience, and to talk about certain topics. The study also reveals that communicators use all forms of code switching and code mixing, with the exception of congruent lexicalization.

 

Author Biographies

  • Grant Essuman, Centre for Communication, liberal and Research Studies, Anglican University College of Technology, Ghana

    Grant Essuman is an Anglican Priest, and Applied linguist who teaches Communication Skills, Critical Thinking, African Studies and Research Methods at Anglican University College of Technology, Ghana.  He holds Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics and currently a PhD Candidate in the Department of Applied Linguistics at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. His research interests are applied linguistics, discourse analysis, pragmatics (post-colonial pragmatics), sociolinguistics, stylistics and language documentation.

    Institutional website: https: www.angutech.edu.gh;  

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5084-1302;

    ResearchGate: www.researchgate.net/profile/Grant-Essuman;  

    AcademiaEdu: https://uew.academia.edu/GrantEssuman;

    LinkedIn: https://gh.linkedin.com/in/rev-d-fr-grant-essuman-095b5512a.    

  • John Cudjoe, Applied Linguistics Department, University of Education, Winneba

    John Cudjoe is an English Language and Literature Tutor in Baidoo Bonsoe Senior High Technical School. He holds Bachelor of Arts English Language Education. He's with Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Education, Winneba. His research interests include Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics, Syntactic Theory and Morphological Theory.

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Published

2025-05-08

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

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