Language Ideology and Practice on the Aflao-Lome Borderland: The Case of Two Border Schools
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Date
2020
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Publisher
Journal of Borderlands Studies
Abstract
This paper explores language practices in the school domain in
Aflao-Lome on the Ghana/Togo border. Here, the boundary line
bisects the Ewe, thus creating two contrasting communities:
French-speaking Ewe and English-speaking Ewe. Our study
investigates language practices in two schools located on either
side of the border since the school, as a sociolinguistic domain, is a
contested site of language practice where tensions abound
between medium of instruction policy and home language practices
and cultural routines. The data analyzed comprised reports and
observations of adherence to state medium of instruction policy
in the classroom by teachers and pupils, and language in activities
outside the classroom when formal “language policing” is
negligible or, in fact, non-existent. It was discovered that the
English and French languages were viewed differently on either
side of the border and that school policies on language had to
make room, in some cases, for the local language.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
border, medium of instruction, French