Phenomene Du Melange Des Codes Parmi Les Etudiants Fantiphones De L'universite De Cape Coast

ABSTRACT

This research examines the nature ofFanti-English code-mixing among Fantispeaking

students of the University of Cape Coast. It intended to find out the

specific matrix language of the code mixed discourse of these students and the

effects ofthis matrix language on the Fanti language as used by the population. The

research questions and hypotheses were formulated around this problem.

The data collection tools were questionnaires, observation and interviews.

While the questionnaires were used to gather self-reports about language use among

students, the observation enabled data to be gathered in natural, spontaneous

contexts. The interviews were part of an experiment to find out whether FantiEnglish

bilingual students could control the recourse to English lexical and

grammatical elements in their discourse in Fanti under controlled conditions, and

the extent to which this control was feasible.

A total of eleven volunteers, made up of undergraduate and postgraduate

students from the Faculties of Arts, Science and Education; were selected for the

interviews as focal participants.

Data consisting of code-mixed utterances were analysed using the

comparative method within a hybrid framework. The results showed that code-mixing among the target population is composite: embedded language (English) elements were active at the lemma level

and projected their own slots independently oftheir Fanti equivalents, which are, in

many cases, incongruent with the English content morphemes. This situation

contributes to the composite matrix language underlying the phenomenon. It also

inhibits access to Fanti content morphemes during spontaneous speech. Finally, it

restricts bilinguals' ability to control code-mixing.

It was recommended that a review ofthe existing English-only policy be done

in order to rectify the imbalance in the attention given to the various languages in

the educational set-up. Further, a modified version of the grammar-translation

method at the primary school level should be considered.