SIL Electronic Survey Reports
SILESR 2002-037
- Author:
Barbara Tompkins, , Angela Kluge
Title: Sociolinguistic Survey of the Gua Language Community
Abstract:
Paper: PDF (3.3 Mb, 54 pages)This paper presents a sociolinguistic survey conducted in the Gua language community (Kwa language family) which was designed to help GILLBT administrators determine whether or not GILLBT would pursue a language development program for Hill Guan, and if so, what the nature of that involvement would be.
Through the use of a Twi Scripture comprehension test and sociolinguistic questionnaires administered to community leaders as well as to individuals, the survey researchers collected data concerning tested levels of Scripture comprehension, reported levels of bilingualism in Twi, second language learning environments, language use in various domains both public and private, language attitudes toward both written and oral forms of Gua and Twi, and education and literacy levels.
The results are given for each of the above mentioned categories with emphasis given to areas which provided insights into both the extent of Twi bilingualism and the level of community interest in language development.
Overall, the results show a fairly high level of tested Scripture comprehension in Twi and a high level of reported bilingualism in Twi. However, Gua continues to be the dominant language of use in various domains, and community attitudes toward Gua appear to be positive.
Language: Gua
Country: Ghana
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