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
| 41 
religious domains in Larteh will be matched against the rights-and-obligations (RO) sets. 
In the present study, the rights-and-obligations sets may be likened to the known functions 
of the three major languages which co-exist in a triglossic relationship in Larteh. In this 
sense, the choice of a particular language is viewed with reference to the extent its use 
matches community expectations for the domain or type of activity.
Sociolinguistic Background of the Larteh Community
Larteh is a town in the south-east of Ghana, located on the Akono Hills, the range 
of hills which cross Akuapem from south-east to the north-west. It is bordered in the north 
by the Mamfe-Akropong road; in the south by the Shai Hills, in the east by the towns of 
Abonse and Aseseeso, and in the west by the Apopoano Hill near Dodowa. The closest 
neighbours are Mamfe and Akropong where Akuapem Twi is spoken, and Dodowa and 
Ayikuma, where Dangme is spoken. The Population and Housing Census of Ghana 
(2000) put the population of Larteh at 8,310. This clearly does not represent the exact 
number of speakers because of the presence of immigrants in the town. Yet another 
difficulty in arriving at a specific number stems from the fact that there are many Leteh 
speakers who reside outside Larteh. 
Larteh is a neighbour of language communities like the Akan and Dangme. Her 
closest Guan community is Abiriw, about 10 kilometers away, where Kyerepong is 
spoken. Interactions among these language groups are through inter-marriages, 
celebrations of traditional festivals, trade, and education. Consequently, on a typical 
market day in the town, the multilingual skills of the traders within Larteh and those from 
neighbouring towns are utilized. During the celebration of traditional festivals, it is 
common to find people from neighboring communities in attendance to lend support. 
Short distances between Larteh and neighboring towns allow school children to enrol in 
schools outside Larteh. This has further exposed young school children to other languages 
besides Leteh, their first language. Additionally, the use of Twi as the language of 
instruction at the lower primary level makes it mandatory for school children in Larteh to 
pay attention to Twi. Contact with English and Twi has resulted in remarkable phenomena 
such as borrowing, codeswitching, and diglossia within the Larteh community. 
The Basel Mission established the first school in 1858 with 12 children. 
Presently, the town boasts of 6 pre-schools, 7 primary schools, 7 junior high schools and 
3 senior high schools. In addition are 2 privately-owned commercial schools. Many 
children have therefore had the opportunity to go to school, at least to the junior high 
level, thus enhancing their competence in Akuapem Twi which is the medium of 
instruction at the basic level of education and also, a school subject in Larteh and the 
surrounding Akuapem towns. The number of schools presently, is in sharp contrast to 
Johnson’s report of 1973 when there were 6 primary and 5 middle schools at Larteh. 
According to his report, Larteh had 1 private commercial school and 1 government-