Codeswitching in Academic Discussions: A Discourse Strategy by Students in the University of Education, Winneba
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Date
2013-07
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University of Ghana
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to investigate the use of codeswitching (CS) as a linguistic
resource by students of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). The study seeks to
answer why students in the university conduct their academic discussions in CS contrary
to what is expected of them; how the use of CS contributes to the overall meaning of the
topics they discuss and how students use CS as a linguistic resource to negotiate their
activities in the university community. The study focused on study groups at the South
Campus of the University of Education, Winneba. The social network (Milroy 1980) and
ethnographic research methods (Barton & Hamilton 1998) were employed for data
collection and the Community of Practice concept of Wenger (1998) was used to describe
the study groups. The Markedness model of Myers-Scotton (1993) and the
Conversational Analysis of Auer (1984) were used to analyze the speech data. The study
found that two types of CS operate on UEW campus. These are in-group CS and out-
group CS. It found that Akan/English CS is the main language for many out-group
interactions on campus and serves as a lingua franca in addition to English. It serves as a
bridge language between Winneba town and the university. It is also used in many study
groups to discuss academic work. Finally, it found that students do not have a positive
attitude towards all the indigenous languages and non-Akan students protest the
prevalence of Akan on campus. The study is significant because it will enable policy
makers recognize that CS occurs at all levels of education and must be given the
appropriate attention. It will also serve as a reference point for future research into
language changes or shifts in Ghana. Finally, it will add to existing literature in the study
of language use in education.
Description
Thesis (PhD) - University of Ghana, 2013
Keywords
Codeswitching, Academic Discussions, Study Groups, Academic Discourse, Linguistics