Speech Rhythm in Ghanaian English: An Analysis of Classroom Presentations

Abstract It has been argued that prosodic features (e.g. stress, rhythm, or intonation) contribute significantly to production and comprehension among speakers of English. While it is easy come across studies focus on these in native Englishes, the same cannot be said Englishes outside speaker contexts, especially regarding rhythm academic discourse, although such results greatly enhance our understanding this phenomenon. This study examined Ghanaian English, using Liberman Prince's (1977) Metrical Phonology theory. Lessons were recorded from 24 lecturers a public university Ghana analyzed computerized speech laboratory (CSL). Cues measured duration, pitch, amplitude help determine rhythmic patterns lecturers. The suggest produced bear similarities as well differences with those by inner circle speakers. preponderance strong-strong weak- strong strong-weak syllables certain words presented exceptions Based this, English appears more syllable-based than stressed-based variety, so teachers might consider variety local familiar students order achieve intelligibility.