Etude sociolinguistique des inscriptions sur les vehicules commerciaux de quelques gares routieres: le cas de la metropole D'Accra

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis is to determine the meaning and the idea behind inscriptions (signboards) on commercial vehicles. From the study, it was realized that those who create these inscriptions really have some interesting experiences to share with the larger population. The writings are also made up of ideas relating to culture, socio-politics and shared knowledge of a given linguistic group in which they occur. The writings serve as a means of identification of the vehicle, its owner or the driver. They also bring out the creativity of those who create them. The artistry of the sign writers who wrote them is also displayed on the vehicles. Another factor that came to limelight was the effects these writings could have on those who read them. Views were varied in this case. To some of the respondents, these writings are consolation (30%), education (22,5%) encouragement (21.3%), and spiritual inspirations (18.8%) to them. After all, (7.5%) thought writing on vehicles is not necessary. It was also realized from a sociolinguistic point of view that a particular domain of use determines the type of language that is to be used. In Accra and among the commercial drivers, Akan is more used than Ga, the language of the area. Also, in language contact, while Akan is expanding through these writings, Ga and French are seen to be losing ground. All the twelve respondents, in addition to their mother tongue, understand and speak English and Akan. This shows that multilingualism is a phenomenon that is prevalent among commercial drivers.