The Storytelling Tradition at Larteh, Ghana: Implications for Language Vitality

Abstract

This paper examines storytelling practices in a triglossic community, Larteh, in South-east Ghana, West Africa. The three languages which are in use co-exist in a triglossic relationship; each language plays defined roles in the language community. It has been observed that there is a growing gap between storytelling ideologies that link the practice to language transmission. As a traditional practice which is closely linked to processes of cultural reproduction/intergeneration language transfer, storytelling has particular significance for language revitalization in the language community. This article demonstrates how a shift in the storytelling practices of the people is negatively impacting language transmission and how the revival of the practice could positively impact the revitalization of the Lɛtɛ language.