UNIQUENESS OF GHANAIAN ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION: ANALYSIS OF DENTAL FRICATIVE SOUNDS

Authors

  • Emmanuel Asante Department of Languages, St. Joseph’s College of Education, P.O. Box 15, Bechem, Ahafo Region, Ghana
  • Bright Oppong-Adjei Department of Languages, St. Joseph’s College of Education, P.O. Box 15, Bechem, Ahafo Region, Ghana
  • Prince Yaw Adjei Department of Languages, AL- Faruq College of Education, P. O. Box 146 Wenchi, B/R, Ghana
  • Emmanuel Kwame Okrah Department of Languages, St. Ambrose College of Education, P. O. Box 25, Wamfie, Bono Region, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejlll.v5i4.331

Keywords:

Ghanaian English, dental fricative sounds, world Englishes, nativisation

Abstract

The variety of English used in Ghana is not the same as the one used in Britain, America or Nigeria. There seem to be observable differences in Ghanaian English pronunciation, semantics, lexis and grammar which have led to two opposing views. The first group sees those differences as errors that need to be corrected. The second group, on the other hand, believes that not all the differences are errors. Rather, there are some acceptable differences which distinguish the variety of English used in Ghana. It is against this background that the study sought to identify and describe some phonological differences in educated Ghanaian English to contribute to the on-going debate on Ghanaian English. Using Kachru’s ‘Nativisation Theory’, the research argues that there is a Ghanaian variety of English characterized by unique phonological features such as difficulty in pronouncing dental fricative sounds /ð/ and / θ/. To support this argument, instances of “Ghanaianisms” were collected from spoken sources and analysed. A text was read by participants and recorded into a Speech Analyser and described qualitatively. The study has confirmed that, the phonological differences in the English in Ghana are mainly brought about by nativisation process. It is believed that the study will contribute to the on-going debate on Ghanaian English and its codification.

Author Biographies

  • Emmanuel Asante, Department of Languages, St. Joseph’s College of Education, P.O. Box 15, Bechem, Ahafo Region, Ghana

    Emmanuel Asante, Tutor; Languages Department, St. Joseph’s College of Education, P. O. Box 15, Bechem, Ahafo Region, Ghana. His research interests include; Language, Phonology, Semantics, Literature, Pedagogy, Gender & Inclusive learning and Computer Assisted Learning. Email: easante2021@gamil.com / asante@joscobechem.edu.gh

  • Bright Oppong-Adjei, Department of Languages, St. Joseph’s College of Education, P.O. Box 15, Bechem, Ahafo Region, Ghana

    Bright Oppong-Adjei, Languages Department, P. O. Box 15, St. Joseph’s College of Education, Bechem, Ghana. His research interest is in the area of Pedagogy and Computer Assisted Learning and Assessment. Email: brightko201968@gmail.com

  • Prince Yaw Adjei, Department of Languages, AL- Faruq College of Education, P. O. Box 146 Wenchi, B/R, Ghana

    Prince Yaw Adjei, Al- Faruq College of Education, P. O. Box 146 Wenchi, B/R, Ghana. His research interest is in the area of Language and Literature. Email: pryadjei.pa@gmail.com

  • Emmanuel Kwame Okrah, Department of Languages, St. Ambrose College of Education, P. O. Box 25, Wamfie, Bono Region, Ghana

    Emmanuel Kwame Okrah, St. Ambrose College of Education, P. O. Box 25, Wamfie, Bono Region, Ghana. His research interest is in the area of Language and Literature. Email: okrah543@gmail.com

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Published

2022-05-13

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 4 (2022)

Section

Articles