Multilingualism in parliamentary discourse: Unpacking ideological conflicts over the use of native languages in the parliament of Ghana

IF 1.8 2区文学 Q2 COMMUNICATION

Language & Communication Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-03 DOI:10.1016/j.langcom.2025.11.002

Ernest Nyamekye , Esther Asare , Abdul-Rahman Mutawakil , Solomon Domfeh , Love Kafui Mensah

引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study examines X users' (formerly Twitter) reactions to Hon. Ohene Kwame Frimpong's use of the Akan language in Ghana's Parliament—a move legally allowed but socially contested. Using critical discourse analysis, it examines the language ideologies surrounding multilingualism in the legislative sphere. Findings show a divided youth perspective: while some praise the use of native languages as promoting linguistic diversity, revitalisation, and resistance to English dominance, the majority express concern. They argue it sets a negative precedent, undermining professionalism, international competitiveness, and even linguistic diversity itself. A key fear is that privileging Akan in parliament may lead to its expansion at the expense of other indigenous languages, further deepening linguistic inequality in Ghana's multilingual landscape.

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议会话语中的多语：加纳议会中使用母语的意识形态冲突

这项研究调查了X用户（以前是Twitter）对奥恩·夸梅·弗林蓬议员在加纳议会中使用阿坎语的反应——这一举动在法律上是允许的，但在社会上却存在争议。运用批判性话语分析，探讨了立法领域中围绕多语制的语言意识形态。调查结果显示，年轻人的观点存在分歧：虽然一些人赞扬使用母语可以促进语言多样性、振兴和抵制英语的主导地位，但大多数人表示担忧。他们认为这是一个负面的先例，破坏了专业精神、国际竞争力，甚至语言多样性本身。一个关键的担忧是，在议会中给予阿坎语特权可能会导致其扩张，而牺牲其他土著语言，进一步加深加纳多语言环境中的语言不平等。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Language & Communication Multiple-

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

6.70%

发文量

期刊介绍： This journal is unique in that it provides a forum devoted to the interdisciplinary study of language and communication. The investigation of language and its communicational functions is treated as a concern shared in common by those working in applied linguistics, child development, cultural studies, discourse analysis, intellectual history, legal studies, language evolution, linguistic anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, the politics of language, pragmatics, psychology, rhetoric, semiotics, and sociolinguistics. The journal invites contributions which explore the implications of current research for establishing common theoretical frameworks within which findings from different areas of study may be accommodated and interrelated. By focusing attention on the many ways in which language is integrated with other forms of communicational activity and interactional behaviour, it is intended to encourage approaches to the study of language and communication which are not restricted by existing disciplinary boundaries.