Language Choice and Identity Construction among Bilinguals at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract

Abstract Language and identity are two distinct but inextricably intertwined concepts. This implies that people—especially bilinguals—may manipulate their linguistic repertoires in different social settings to portray different identities. In this regard, we examined the language choices of university students in different social settings and how they use language to construct identity. The study employed a sequential transformative mixed method design; thus, qualitative and quantitative data were collected in two separate periods for analysis. In total, 627 participants took part in the study. Sixty students were personally interviewed, whereas 567 participants filled out an online survey. The results of the study indicate that students speak English in formal communicative situations and speak their L1 in informal settings. They speak English to portray an intellectual identity, while their first languages are spoken to divulge their affiliation with their family and ethnicity.