Akan bilinguals’ code switching style in the Ghanaian TV series Efiewura

Abstract

It is obvious, but important fact that in addition to the communicative function of language there is the social function which explains the role that language plays in society. Qualitative analysis is done using data collected from the Ghanaian TV series Efiewura. The languages used in the TV series Efiewura (The Landlord) are the common languages spoken among Ghanaians which comprise various local languages with the Akan language varieties portrayed as the most spoken in this series. The analysis of the data focuses on pragmatic and social aspects of Akan-English CS in the TV series utilising Auer (1995) Conversational Analysis, Gumperz (1982) conversational functions of CS and Myers-Scotton (1993) Markedness Model (MM). The analysis demonstrated how Code Switching is used as a communicative strategy, as a device for elucidation and interpretation, to establish solidarity and rapport in multilingual discourse. The study found that Akan was the dominant language of communication while Code Switching is used as a communicative strategy to convey ideas in specific situations and to achieve solidarity in a multilingual society. The study concludes that Akan-English CS is systematically patterned.