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Local meaning in the English of West Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2006

Eric Anchimbe
Eric Anchimbe
Affiliation:
Institute for English Philology at Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich.
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Abstract

THIS ARTICLE addresses differences in meaning that are current in English as it is used along the West African coast. It is not uncommon for an ESL teacher to be confronted with such questions as, ‘Is that what “stranger” means?’ or such responses as, ‘Sir, I do not have a “belly”!’ However, in this context, a sound knowledge (or simply an awareness) of new meanings attached to old words may save some embarrassment. This paper proposes that, for the sound and successful teaching of English as a second language in West Africa, teachers should acquaint themselves with such usages.

Type
Original Article
Information
English Today , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 50 - 54
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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