LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Ghanaian English: Spelling Pronunciation in Focus

Richmond Sadick Ngula, B.A. (Hons), M.Phil.

Abstract

This paper examines the phenomenon of spelling pronunciation in Ghanaian English and shows that it has become one of the features of pronunciation that have diverged from 'RP' (Received Pronunciation), the standard norm of English language proficiency that is taught to Ghanaians.

The empirical investigation of spelling pronunciation was a selection of 50 words of English based on observation of their use by different groups of educated Ghanaians over the past four years. The selected words were further put to test as readings of the words in sentences by 60 graduate students of the University of Cape Coast were recorded, observed and phonetically transcribed.

The investigation principally shows that the phenomenon of spelling pronunciation has become an unmarked feature in the way educated Ghanaians pronounce words of English. The study further suggests that two important factors account for the vastness of spelling pronunciation in Ghanaian English: the gap between spelling and pronunciation in standard British English, and the influence of L1 languages in Ghana.

The paper concludes that spelling pronunciation has become an innovative feature in Ghanaian English not only because of its widespread nature but also because it satisfies two criteria any New English variety ought to meet - maintains international intelligibility and retains local identities. The study has implications for the description of non-native varieties of English, and the norms to be used in the teaching of English as a second language in Ghana and elsewhere.

Introduction

The growth and spread of English across the world has given recognition to many new varieties of English outside its native environments. Several New Englishes including Ghanaian, Indian, Lankan, Nigerian, Malaysian, just to mention a few are constantly undergoing linguistic change; change that reflects the sociolinguistic and cultural divergences of their respective geographical domains. Kachru (1997: 220/21) establishes that in the contexts of the New Englishes, "the localized norm has a well-established linguistic, literary, and cultural identity."

Thus the new English varieties have evolved into varieties which serve a wide range of purposes, and at the same time, developed their own character (Jenkins, 2003). Hence they differ from the native varieties (typically the two leading standard varieties: British and American).

The main levels on which the differences are encountered are pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary/idiom, and discourse styles. But it seems that the difference is most conspicuous in the area of pronunciation, which according to Jenkins (2000) maintains distinctive features even in educated sub varieties.

The Focus of This Paper

The issue in this paper is to examine the phenomenon of spelling pronunciation in the English of educated Ghanaians, and to describe it as one of the innovative divergent features of pronunciation that are giving Ghanaian English (henceforth, GhE) its own character.

Although spelling pronunciation manifests itself widely among educated Ghanaian users of English, it has received very little attention within the academic community in Ghana and beyond. In fact, studies on the pronunciation of GhE generally are scanty.

The notable research material include Sey's (1973) popular book, Ghanaian English: An Exploratory Survey, which treats Ghanaian English pronunciation in the appendix. While Sey identifies features of GhE pronunciation such as RP /?/ becoming /a/ in GhE; RP/?:/ being pronounced /?/ in GhE; and RP /i/ being pronounced /i:/ in GhE, he makes mention of the phenomenon of spelling pronunciation very briefly. Sey indicates, for instance, that spelling pronunciation has accounted for pronunciations like /abaut/ and /k?nstabul/ for the words 'about' and 'constable'. Although Sey's (1973) work is recognised as a classic and often cited anytime Ghanaian English is mentioned (Kachru, 1992; Simo Bobda, 2000), his treatment of GhE pronunciation in particular and GhE generally has doubtful validity. He constantly refers to the features of GhE pronunciation, for instance, as errors and deviant usage; meanwhile he begins talking about GhE pronunciation by saying that "the pronunciation of E.G.E. is markedly different from R.P…" (Sey, 1973: 143). It is clear that his work has an error analysis orientation which shows that Sey does not recognise difference and innovativeness in GhE as far his (1973) work is concerned.

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