L'amenagement linguistique et le statut du français langue etrangere au Ghana

Richard Beyogle, Purdue University

Abstract

Despite the fact that French remains a foreign language in Ghana, it plays an important role in many social sectors in the Ghanaian contemporary society. Therefore, this language deserves official support from the Ghanaian government such that funding can be procured for its promotion. In our research work, we have stressed the importance of being able to communicate fluently in French with the neighboring francophone countries. Apart from that, this research work takes into consideration the fact that we are now living in a global village and the knowledge in one or more foreign languages will help in the exchange of scientific, economic, and sociocultural knowledge, discoveries and ideas without depending on translators and interpreters all. Another important factor is that Ghana is surrounded by francophone countries and this creates an important opportunity for Ghanaians to take advantage of their geographical position to learn to communicate in French. We therefore share the same thoughts with Syme (1992), when he stated that we hope to open an intellectual debate which will eventually put in place a rational language policy that will see to the introduction of French as a compulsory subject in the high schools. To accomplish this task, we have first looked at articles and other academic documents which have already been published in favor of teaching and learning French in Ghana. We have also studied all the different education reforms which took place in the country since its independence up to the 2007 education reform policy. The results of the research have shown that French is not seriously studied in Ghana and majority of Ghanaians are willing to either start learning French if given the opportunity or give their support to the teaching and learning of French in high schools. Our research has therefore sought to sell our findings and ideas to the government for it to take the necessary steps towards an improved language policy for the promotion of the French language in Ghana.

Degree

M.A.

Advisors

Brown, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Linguistics

COinS