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A project submitted to the Department of English and Literary Studies

Code-Switching and Identity in Contemporary African Films

By

Kofi Boateng

U/2015/ABC/0170

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of a Bachelor's degree

Supervisor:

2025

Abstract

This sociolinguistic study analyses code-switching between English and indigenous languages in contemporary African films. It examines selected film scripts to show how switches signal class, education, intimacy and resistance, arguing that code-switching is a deliberate artistic device for constructing modern African identity rather than linguistic deficiency. The study is organised into five chapters covering the introduction, review of related literature, research methodology, data presentation and analysis, and the summary, conclusion and recommendations.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction

  1. 1.1 Background to the Study4
  2. 1.2 Statement of the Problem6
  3. 1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study8
  4. 1.4 Research Questions10
  5. 1.5 Research Hypotheses12
  6. 1.6 Scope of the Study14
  7. 1.7 Limitations of the Study16
  8. 1.8 Operational Definition of Terms18

Chapter Two: Literature Review

  1. 2.1 Conceptual Review16
  2. 2.2 Theoretical Framework18
  3. 2.3 Empirical Review of Related Studies20
  4. 2.4 Gap in Literature22
  5. 2.5 Summary of Literature Review24

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

  1. 3.1 Research Design28
  2. 3.2 Area of the Study30
  3. 3.3 Population of the Study32
  4. 3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique34
  5. 3.5 Instrument for Data Collection36
  6. 3.6 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument38
  7. 3.7 Method of Data Collection40
  8. 3.8 Method of Data Analysis42

Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis

  1. 4.1 Data Presentation40
  2. 4.2 Test of Hypotheses42
  3. 4.3 Discussion of Findings44

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

  1. 5.1 Summary of Findings52
  2. 5.2 Conclusion54
  3. 5.3 Recommendations56
  4. 5.4 Suggestions for Further Studies58

References

Appendices

Final YearPreview only

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

This sociolinguistic study analyses code-switching between English and indigenous languages in contemporary African films. It examines selected film scripts to show how switches signal class, education, intimacy and resistance, arguing that code-switching is a deliberate artistic device for constructing modern African identity rather than linguistic deficiency.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

A sociolinguistic analysis of code-switching as identity marker in contemporary African films. Existing approaches remain limited in reach, accuracy and ease of use, which creates the gap this study addresses.

1.3 Aim and Objectives

The aim of this study is to code-switching and identity in contemporary african films. The specific objectives are to:

  1. review existing literature and systems related to the study;
  2. collect and analyse data using Discourse analysis;
  3. evaluate the results against the stated problem;
  4. make recommendations for practice and further research.

1.4 Scope of the Study

Introduction: background to code-switching in film, statement of the problem (multilingual dialogue in African cinema is understudied as a meaning-making device), aim and objectives, research questions, scope, significance of the study, and definition of terms.

Chapter Two: Literature Review

Literature Review: theoretical framework, review of related works on code-switching in film, gaps in existing studies, and a summary positioning this project. Literature Review: theoretical framework, review of related works on code-switching in film, gaps in existing studies, and a summary positioning this project.

Chapters 2–5 are not part of this preview.