Language practices of francophone students in the University of Ghana

Abstract

Several middle class francophones have migrated to Ghana for economic, political and social educational reasons. This research project aims at exploring how these category of francophone migrants in Accra, the capital city, manage their language repertoire and the reasons underlying their choices. Most studies in migration have focused on migration outside the African continent (Billiez, 1985; Dustmann, 1999; Haque, 2011). These have mainly been carried out within the domains of sociology, geography and economics with little attention given to the linguistic and sociolinguistic aspects of migration. However, research shows that language plays an important role in the migration process as it contributes to identity, adapting to a new linguistic space, and modifying ones verbal repertoire and even the economic success of the immigrants.

This presentation, which is part of a wider study will focus on the language practices of students from francophone countries who are here for their tertiary education. We explore their language choices in relation to school, work, family, and friends and their perceptions and rating of the French and English languages in relation to the local languages that they speak.