African Languages and Societies Commons^™

Pidgin! Make We Hear Your Speak, Make We Know Why Chaw Students Dey Luv You, Desiree Pipkins

African Diaspora ISPs

Historical evidence contends that as a country, Ghana (formally the Gold Coast) had not need for a pidgin. Additionally, the colonial administration made deliberate attempts to acknowledge and teach Standard English, exclusively, in school, as a result of these factors, there is a minimal need to speak Pidgin in Ghana, as compared to Standard English; further, it is not socially considered an attractive option for interpersonal communication as it is in other West African countries, particularly, Nigeria. Nevertheless, a new phenomenon of non-standard English has developed among students n senior secondary schools in Ghana. This rapidly progressing variety of English …