Legon Journal of the Humanities, 25

Ansah, A. M./ Legon Journal of the Humanities 25 (2014) 37-57 

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Legon Journal of the Humanities, 25 
(2014)
P a g e
| 51 
Table 5 
Patterns of Language Choice at Funerals 
Domain 
Speaker 
Addressee 
Setting 
Activity/ 
Topic 
Language
Tradition 
Family 
Spokesman 
Mourners and 
Sympathizers 
Funeral 
Introduction
of sympathizers 
Leteh, Twi 
 
 
 
 
Reporting cause
of death 
Leteh, Twi 
 
 
 
 
Electing
a successor 
Leteh 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Announcements
 
 
 
Leteh, Twi, 
English
 
 
 
Language Choice in the Church
For the purposes of the present study, churches at Larteh were categorized into 
two: Orthodox and Pentecostal churches. The classification is necessary because the 
mode of worship in these two types of churches differs significantly, a disparity which 
has the potential of influencing language choice. In the case of Orthodox churches, the 
Presbyterian church service and the Catholic mass were observed. Language choice as 
observed in the two churches did not differ significantly. During a normal Sunday 
morning service at the Presbyterian Church, the language of worship was predominantly 
Twi. Biblical references were, however, read in English. There were a few cases of Akan-
English codeswitching in sermons. Leteh was not used in the course of the church service. 
This differed from special occasions, for example, a funeral service where the 
congregants had various language backgrounds. During such funeral services, the sermon 
was delivered in Twi and then a summary given in English.
The following field notes which were taken on January 22, 2012 illustrate 
language choice in a normal Sunday worship service in the Presbyterian Church. Call to 
worship was done in Twi by the Senior Minister. A prayer was said in Twi, and hymns 
were also sung in Twi. When a hymn was introduced, the reference was first mentioned 
in Twi, then in English. Bible readings were done in Twi, and similarly the references 
were said in both Twi and English. The choir and the singing band sang in Twi. The 
congregants used Twi hymn books. The Session Clerk (church secretary) read the 
announcements in Twi. The Senior Minister said the closing prayer and pronounced the