Linguistic landscape study of commercial intra-city vehicle inscriptions in an African city

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Universally, an understanding of the Linguistic Landscape (LL) of a group of people is crucial to understanding their language behavioural traits. The study was purposed on exploring the LL of commercial intra-city vehicles in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana. This single case study with embedded units utilised the multi-stage sampling technique, and the sources of data were: 1) responses from in-depth interviews from some of the commercial intra-city vehicle drivers and 2) the respective inscriptions. An interview guide and an iPhone 12 mobile phone (for pictures) were used to elicit the data. The in-depth interview data were analysed using Creswell and Poth’s (2018) Analysis Spiral Plan, whereas the signages were analysed using content analysis. The findings projected a situation where no attention was paid to the indigenous Ahanta language but rather major preference given to the Mfantse and the English languages. Easy readability and comprehension of the messages were cited by the commercial intra-city vehicle drivers as their reasons for preferring the English language. The implication of the study is that the Ahanta language, the indigenous language in Sekondi- Takoradi is endangered. Resultantly, the authorities of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly should work closely with the Ministry of Local Government to heighten individuals’ use of the Ahanta language to save it from death. Also, this calls into sharp attention the need for stakeholders in other jurisdictions to work to improve the use of endangered languages to protect them from extinction.

作者简介

Ramos Asafo-Adjei

Takoradi Technical University

Email: asafoadjeiramos@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8706-3028

holds a PhD in English language (English Language Teaching) from the University of Venda in South Africa and is an Associate Professor at the Communication and Media Studies Section of the Centre for Languages and Liberal Studies

Takoradi, Ghana

Francis Bukari

Takoradi Technical University

Email: francisbukari182@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7932-7812

English and Communication skills lecturer at Centre for Languages and Liberal Studies, Communication and Media Studies Section, Takoradi Technical University. He taught English and Communication skills as a part time lecturer at University for Development Studies and the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. He was also English Language tutor at Bawku Senior High School, Ghana

Takoradi, Ghana

Ernest Klu

University of Venda

编辑信件的主要联系方式.
Email: Ernest.Klu@univen.ac.za
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9551-7325

associate Professor in the Department of English, Media Studies & Linguistics

Thohoyandou, South Africa

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