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Taluah, A. R.
1st Scientific and Research Conference. University of Education, Winneba, CAGRIC. Ashanti Mampong - Ghana May 30th – 1st June 2016
Paper presented:
English or No English: Who Cares?
Abstract
Emperor Charles V is noted to have said that: “To God I speak Spanish, to women Italian, to men French and to my horse – German.” In recent times however, in his profession of his polyglotism, Emperor Charles V would have added thus: “to the entire world I speak English”. From few speakers of what is originally known as old English of the Anglo Saxon origin, the English language has grown in depth and breadth impacting nations globally. For many centuries (5th - 21st centuries), the English language has undergone many semantic, pragmatic and syntactic changes, borrowing its lexicon from diverse languages. The changes in its morphological and phonological renditions are also very evident. It serves as national, official and the language of instruction in many nations, Ghana being a case in point. Despite the importance of the English language however, its impact is not fully appreciated, thereby making many a people not to treat it with the appropriate contention that it deserves. This paper therefore attempts to examine the perceptions of the general Ghanaian public and students in particular about the English language and state the realities that pertain. It maintains that for a better grasp of any discipline such as Medicine, Law, Engineering Physics and Mathematics amongst a host of other disciplines, knowledge of the English language is imperative. This paper therefore adopts descriptive and analytic approaches to qualitative research as its methodology of presentation and thus relies mostly on inductive reasoning processes in interpretations.
Emperor Charles V is noted to have said that: “To God I speak Spanish, to women Italian, to men French and to my horse – German.” In recent times however, in his profession of his polyglotism, Emperor Charles V would have added thus: “to the entire world I speak English”. From few speakers of what is originally known as old English of the Anglo Saxon origin, the English language has grown in depth and breadth impacting nations globally. For many centuries (5th - 21st centuries), the English language has undergone many semantic, pragmatic and syntactic changes, borrowing its lexicon from diverse languages. The changes in its morphological and phonological renditions are also very evident. It serves as national, official and the language of instruction in many nations, Ghana being a case in point. Despite the importance of the English language however, its impact is not fully appreciated, thereby making many a people not to treat it with the appropriate contention that it deserves. This paper therefore attempts to examine the perceptions of the general Ghanaian public and students in particular about the English language and state the realities that pertain. It maintains that for a better grasp of any discipline such as Medicine, Law, Engineering Physics and Mathematics amongst a host of other disciplines, knowledge of the English language is imperative. This paper therefore adopts descriptive and analytic approaches to qualitative research as its methodology of presentation and thus relies mostly on inductive reasoning processes in interpretations.
Taluah, A. R.
18th Great Writing International Conference. London Imperial College, London - United Kingdom June 20th - 21st 2015
Paper presented:
Exploring the Perspectives of the Creative Mind: The Innate versus the Acquired
Abstract
From a traditional point of view, every talent is said to be a divine gift: and the creative arts are no exceptions. It is for such reason that there is said to be the god of medicine, thunder, harvest, dance and song, of which the creative arts belong amongst a host of others. It is believed that one who has not been divinely endowed with a gift cannot succeed in the endeavour. Yet, in the very recent generations, diverse formal institutions have been set to fine tune the minds of many individuals into the creative arts. The questions that arise are thus, at what point does the acquired talent supersede the innate or the vice versa? Can formal teaching actually make an artist? And if indeed both perspective can be true of an artist, who is better? While the two perspectives cannot be detached from one another, the fact still remains that the innate talent supersedes the acquired talent. This paper therefore sets out to outline the two main perspectives of the creative mind and examine the diverse notions of the creative arts in the social, economic, political and cultural dimensions. It further delineates the reasons that account for the diverse perspectives of the creative arts and theirs effects on society and the individual creative artists as a whole.
From a traditional point of view, every talent is said to be a divine gift: and the creative arts are no exceptions. It is for such reason that there is said to be the god of medicine, thunder, harvest, dance and song, of which the creative arts belong amongst a host of others. It is believed that one who has not been divinely endowed with a gift cannot succeed in the endeavour. Yet, in the very recent generations, diverse formal institutions have been set to fine tune the minds of many individuals into the creative arts. The questions that arise are thus, at what point does the acquired talent supersede the innate or the vice versa? Can formal teaching actually make an artist? And if indeed both perspective can be true of an artist, who is better? While the two perspectives cannot be detached from one another, the fact still remains that the innate talent supersedes the acquired talent. This paper therefore sets out to outline the two main perspectives of the creative mind and examine the diverse notions of the creative arts in the social, economic, political and cultural dimensions. It further delineates the reasons that account for the diverse perspectives of the creative arts and theirs effects on society and the individual creative artists as a whole.
Taluah, A. R. (2016). The Haunting Images of the West in Contemporary Ghanaian Poetry. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2,
Abstract
Many literary artists and critics in time past have affirmed the significance of tradition as a source of inspiration in creative works. Though the driving force in moulding a creative work such as a poem is innate, a true artist must have knowledge of a given tradition or traditions to excel in the enterprise. In quite recent times however, much of the poetry by budding poets tends to imitate Western forms in lieu of the traditional. This paper is therefore an attempt to address the effects of foreign traditions on the creative abilities of the Ghanaian youth. It traces the antecedents that are most likely to have caused the negative outlook towards most indigenous traditions in Ghana to the embrace of Western traditions. It also examines some pertinent issues in the educational system in Ghana and the impact of the English language as the language of instruction and its effects on the culture of the creative arts.
Many literary artists and critics in time past have affirmed the significance of tradition as a source of inspiration in creative works. Though the driving force in moulding a creative work such as a poem is innate, a true artist must have knowledge of a given tradition or traditions to excel in the enterprise. In quite recent times however, much of the poetry by budding poets tends to imitate Western forms in lieu of the traditional. This paper is therefore an attempt to address the effects of foreign traditions on the creative abilities of the Ghanaian youth. It traces the antecedents that are most likely to have caused the negative outlook towards most indigenous traditions in Ghana to the embrace of Western traditions. It also examines some pertinent issues in the educational system in Ghana and the impact of the English language as the language of instruction and its effects on the culture of the creative arts.
Taluah, A. R. (2015). The Teaching and Learning of the English Language in Ghana: Problems and Implications. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 2,
Abstract
The teaching and learning of the English language in Ghana and Anglophone countries in Africa for that matter has been a subject of unflinching debate in quite recent times. Many opinions point to the assertion that the teaching and learning of the English language is centered on reading comprehension, summary, grammar, spelling and writing skills and other such related areas to the disregard of oral communication skills. Many researchers have found the neglect of oral communication skills in the school curriculum as the major problem in the leaning of the English language. A survey of trends in the teaching and learning of the English language however reveals that the contention is much on the teaching of the English language as compared to its learning as most teachers of English are unqualified to teach English. Drawing from his experiences as a leaner and a teacher of the English language, the research explores in detail the problems and implications in the teaching and learning of the English language. The origin of the English language and its encounter with the diverse languages in Ghana are examined vis a vis its role in diverse facets in the Ghanaian society and new measures proposed for possible adjustments.
The teaching and learning of the English language in Ghana and Anglophone countries in Africa for that matter has been a subject of unflinching debate in quite recent times. Many opinions point to the assertion that the teaching and learning of the English language is centered on reading comprehension, summary, grammar, spelling and writing skills and other such related areas to the disregard of oral communication skills. Many researchers have found the neglect of oral communication skills in the school curriculum as the major problem in the leaning of the English language. A survey of trends in the teaching and learning of the English language however reveals that the contention is much on the teaching of the English language as compared to its learning as most teachers of English are unqualified to teach English. Drawing from his experiences as a leaner and a teacher of the English language, the research explores in detail the problems and implications in the teaching and learning of the English language. The origin of the English language and its encounter with the diverse languages in Ghana are examined vis a vis its role in diverse facets in the Ghanaian society and new measures proposed for possible adjustments.
Taluah, A. R. & Musah, A. A. (2015). Moving Poetics: A Linguistic Analysis of Inscriptions on Vehicles. The Dawn Journal, 4,
Abstract
Scholarship has examined a wide range of social interactions in all spheres of life. In our contemporary times, the media to have gained prominence include the internet and the mobile phone. A however unique, yet complex media of communication ongoing on the principal streets of Ghana are inscriptions on vehicles; where owners and drivers of, mostly commercial vehicles express their beliefs and experiences on their vehicles. This medium of communication appears to be most effective and efficient owing to the fact that publishing such information is far less expensive. The information is also free of charge; what is required is for one to be literate in the language in which the inscription is conveyed. This article examines the contexts of shared values and experiences vis-à-vis the inferences and interferences such as biases, emotions and exaggerations that hinder the smooth transmission of messages on vehicles. It also explores the rationale, categories and the overall effects of these inscriptions on the Ghanaian population. This article maintains that inscriptions have great literary significance. They are sententious aphorisms and wise sayings with social and cultural dimensions; hence, the primary objective to open an active line of inquiry into the growing communication on vehicle channels.
Scholarship has examined a wide range of social interactions in all spheres of life. In our contemporary times, the media to have gained prominence include the internet and the mobile phone. A however unique, yet complex media of communication ongoing on the principal streets of Ghana are inscriptions on vehicles; where owners and drivers of, mostly commercial vehicles express their beliefs and experiences on their vehicles. This medium of communication appears to be most effective and efficient owing to the fact that publishing such information is far less expensive. The information is also free of charge; what is required is for one to be literate in the language in which the inscription is conveyed. This article examines the contexts of shared values and experiences vis-à-vis the inferences and interferences such as biases, emotions and exaggerations that hinder the smooth transmission of messages on vehicles. It also explores the rationale, categories and the overall effects of these inscriptions on the Ghanaian population. This article maintains that inscriptions have great literary significance. They are sententious aphorisms and wise sayings with social and cultural dimensions; hence, the primary objective to open an active line of inquiry into the growing communication on vehicle channels.
Taluah, A. R. (2015). Oral Traditions as Embodiments of Knowledge: The Case of the Kasena of North Eastern Ghana. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 2,
Abstract
Before the advent of the European, every existing African community had its own means of education. Like the Kasena, the worldview of most communities is inextricably woven into the fiber of their oral traditions. Kasena oral traditions express beliefs, values, ideas and other socio-cultural negotiations that depict their philosophy of life. Quite apart from the novelty of technique of Kasena oral traditions, they serve as road guides to their endeavors and offer a better understanding of the spiritual and mundane worlds. Oral traditions embody the sense of time, place and identity of the Kasena in this multicultural world. The ways and manner to practice good hygiene and conserve the environment are embodied in proverbs, whereas the code of conduct and several other social negotiations are carried in folktales and puzzles. However, in the wake of globalization and its attendants such as Christianity, formal education and rural-urban migration amongst a host of other factors, the role and purpose of Kasena oral traditions have taken a down turn. This article therefore seeks to bring to the fore the significant role of Kasena oral traditions in transmitting and maintaining indigenous knowledge. It further examines the negative toll globalization has on Kasena oral traditions.
Before the advent of the European, every existing African community had its own means of education. Like the Kasena, the worldview of most communities is inextricably woven into the fiber of their oral traditions. Kasena oral traditions express beliefs, values, ideas and other socio-cultural negotiations that depict their philosophy of life. Quite apart from the novelty of technique of Kasena oral traditions, they serve as road guides to their endeavors and offer a better understanding of the spiritual and mundane worlds. Oral traditions embody the sense of time, place and identity of the Kasena in this multicultural world. The ways and manner to practice good hygiene and conserve the environment are embodied in proverbs, whereas the code of conduct and several other social negotiations are carried in folktales and puzzles. However, in the wake of globalization and its attendants such as Christianity, formal education and rural-urban migration amongst a host of other factors, the role and purpose of Kasena oral traditions have taken a down turn. This article therefore seeks to bring to the fore the significant role of Kasena oral traditions in transmitting and maintaining indigenous knowledge. It further examines the negative toll globalization has on Kasena oral traditions.
