The communicative role of silence in Nzema language and culture

Abstract

This paper looks at the role of silence within the Nzema speech community. Nzema is a Niger-Congo language of the Kwa language family spoken mainly in the South-western part of Ghana and some parts of the La Côte d`Ivoire both in West Africa. It consists of five main dialects namely; Jomoro, Ellembele, Ajomoro, Egila and Evaloe. The paper discusses linguistic and semiotic aspects of silence. It outlines the various communicative situations in Nzema society in which silence is employed, focusing cultural, social and linguistic aspects.