The Nexus between Multilingualism and Criminality in Ghana, West Africa: A Qualitative Analysis through the Lens of Symbolic Interactionism Theory

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Abstract

This study focuses on multilingualism, and criminality, from the perspective of symbolic interactionism theory. The researchers adopted a qualitative approach, utilizing ethnographic research design, to, thus, explore the complex relationship between such communication symbolism and deviant behavior in the Ghanaian cultural context. Here, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with three categories of participants: 10 deviant individuals, or criminals, from Ankaful prisons, and in the communities, through non-participant observation, 8 community members, and 4 law enforcement officers. Actually, the researchers employed purposive sampling method to ensure that participants have relevant expertise in, and/or firsthand knowledge related to, communication symbolism in deviant subcultures. The findings of the study, primarily, showed that communication, through multilingualism, conveys identities and codes thinly, and it is an effective symbol of group connection. Interestingly, the complicated dynamics surrounding the stigmatization, and labelling, of communication symbolism of language is observed to have an impact on deviant people's self-esteem, and their interaction with law enforcement. Therefore, as a concrete method of identifying, and comprehending, such communication symbolism within deviant, and criminal, subcultures, policymakers, according to this study, may form a collaborative task force consisting of law enforcement officers, community leaders and cultural experts.

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