Aspects of the Phonology of Nankarɛ Dialect of Farefari Winneba Campus of the University of Education, Winneba

The purpose of the study was to determine the phonological processes in Nankarɛ using autosegmental approach. The study was qualitative research and three focus groups were formed in three communities with five members in each group. The sample size was 15 elderly native speaker of Nankarɛ. Purposeful sampling technique was used. Data elicitation technique was employed during interview to obtain data from individual native speakers and in focus group sessions. The technique involves the description of a scenario where the individual or the group gives the appropriate expression in Nankarε. Observation was necessary in other to balance this need of everyday context with the need to maintain objectivity and not ‘go native’ leading to researched bias. The results of the study revealed that assimilatory processes involving [aATR] where, Cross high vowel harmony was in dominant operation. /gb/ and /kp/ precede [-Back] vowels in the dialect while /f/ and /s/ preceding back/front vowel respectfully become /h/. Keywords: Autosegmental Aproach, data elicitation technique, distinctive feature

Examining The Structures And Literary Devices And The Aesthetic Qualities Embedded In Dagaaba Proverbs

The purpose of the study was to examine the structures of some selected Dagaaba proverbs and analyse their literary devices and the aesthetic qualities that are embedded in them with particular reference to the Central Dialect of Dagaare.  Purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study and the design of the study was qualitative research because the analyses of the data were mainly descriptive. The sample size of the population of the study was the chief and his elders of the Ulkpong Traditional area and three sections of the language community namely Konyaasɛn, Gompare and Gyepare in the Upper West Region of Ghana and two lecturers from the University of Education, Winneba. The instruments used in the study for data collection were unstructured interview and participatory observation. The findings confirmed that Dagaaba proverbs have various structures in their compositions and varied literary devices and their aesthetic qualities were clearly displayed in the analyses. Keywords: simple, complex, statements compositio

Evaluating the National Literacy Acceleration Programme on the Teaching of Language and Literacy in Lower Primary Schools of Upper West Region of Ghana

This study sought to evaluate the National Literacy Acceleration Programme (NALAP) on the teaching of language and literacy from the Kindergarten to primary three (KG1-P3). The scope of the study covered only lower primary teachers. The design was cross-sectional research design. Three instruments; namely, questionnaire, interview guide, and document analysis were used for the data collection. The population for the study comprised 1852 lower primary teachers of the Upper West Region with an accessible population of 656 and sample size of 100 teachers. Multiple sampling techniques such as quota sampling technique, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. Quota sampling technique was used to select 20 teachers from each district. Purposive sampling technique was also used to select five districts lower primary teachers among eleven the districts. Two teachers were also purposively selected from among the overall sample from each district for the interview. Simple randomly sampling technique was used to select four schools in each district with five teachers from each school. Two schools in each district were involved in the document analysis. The results were analyzed using frequency tables and percentages. The findings revealed that NALAP was implemented to some extent and its methods and strategies including the materials were being used to some extent. Results again showed NALAP teaching and learning materials were available in the schools but were insufficient and some schools had none at all. Recommendations were made for the provision of teaching learning materials, training of teachers in bilingual bi-literacy methods of teaching to enable them teach language and literacy proficiently and in-service programmes for serving teachers in the system. And finally, suggestions were made for further studies. Keywords: Assessment, bi-literacy, communication, implementation, Language, medium and policies DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/55-07 Publication date: April 30th 201

Thematic Analysis of the Dagaaba Women’s Plays Songs: Within the Ullo Traditional Area in the Jirapa Municipality of Northern Ghana

This study analyzed the themes of Dagaaba women’s plays songs. Dagaare is a Language spoken in the Upper West Region of Ghana and also Burkina Faso and Cote d’voire. Songs are mostly sung during occasions such as birth of a child, marriage and funeral ceremonies. Songs are therefore inevitable because they play a very vital role in human life. The study was conducted in Ullo Traditional area in Jirapa Municipality of Upper West Region of Ghana. The objective was to document Dagaaba women play songs and analyze the various themes that these songs contain. To achieve this objective, Purposive sampling method was employed to obtain 40 native Dagaaba women consisting of 4 lead singers and 36 chorus singers. The Dagaaba women play songs were audio recorded as the women sang the play songs while photos were taken as the women performed the songs. The audio recorded songs were Transcribed and then translated into English Language using idiomatic translation. The Dagaaba women use play songs to help address some social problems in homes and the society as a whole and also for recreational purposes. The Dagaaba women compose their play songs in lines and stanzas which are determined by the pauses made by the lead singer. The number of lines in a stanza varies from song to song. The songs also vary in rhythm depending on the type of performance. Dagaaba women play songs are composed based on themes. Some of the main themes around which the songs are composed are love, praise, caution, hardwork, jealousy, lamentation among others. Keywords: China insurance industry, foreign fund, Challenge DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-4-03 Publication date: February 28th 202