Where Two Speech Variations Coexist: The Case of Nigerian/ Ghanaian Spoken English at Wisconsin International University College, Ghana (WIUC)

Abstract

This study investigated supra-segmental features (word accent, consonant digraphs and articulation of vowels) in English spoken by Nigerian students which caused difficulty of understanding to Ghanaian students and vice versa at Wisconsin International University College. Three hypotheses were tested. The results showed that the Ghanaian students’ placement of word accent posed difficulty of understanding to the Nigerian students. It also showed that Nigerian students’ substitution of one vowel for another in some words posed a problem of recognition and understanding of the words for their Ghanaian counterparts. It was also found that both Nigerian and Ghanaian students compromised in pronouncing some consonant digraphs distinct from the way the British pronounced those consonant digraphs. It was found that the variations in the pronunciation of vowels and word accent in the class marked the cultural identities of the two nationalities represented in the class. It was suggested that further research be undertaken to find out if the students of one country assimilated or not the word accent or vowel articulation of the other as they interact in the same classroom for four years.

Keywords: Word accent, consonant digraphs, vowels, transfer errors