Abstract:
The practice of theatre for development (TfD) unequivocally thrives on language.
Therefore, the issue of linguistic diversity may influence the communication process in
TfD in terms of attainment of expected outcomes, especially in multi-ethnic communities.
Focusing on Nima, a multi-ethnic community in the Accra metropolis, this study explored
the potential of multilingual theatre for TfD communication in order to assess the impact
of linguistic diversity on the effectiveness of TfD. Using the qualitative paradigm of
inquiry, this case study employed multiple research instruments (interview, focus group
discussion, observation and document). In addition, Theatre for Development methodology
was adopted to undertake an intervention. Results from the post intervention process
affirmed that multilingual theatre has the tendency to improve effective communication
and sustain community participation in TfD in the Nima community. The analysis further
demonstrated that multilingual TfD in a multiethnic context is significant for sustainability
of TfD projects, especially in Nima. The findings of the study indicated that multilingual
theatre requires incorporation of multifaceted techniques so as to improve community
participation and sustainability in TfD projects in Nima. In this respect, the study argues
that multilingual theatre is most likely to achieve democratisation in TfD communication,
improve community participation and sustainability in TfD projects in Nima. The study,
therefore, proposes a context-specific framework for consideration--Multilingual Theatre
as Democratisation in Theatre for Development communication (MTaDTfDC) as a suitable
model to support TfD communication in Nima.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Music Education, School of Creative Arts,
submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in the University of Education, Winneba
in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
(Arts and Culture)
MAY, 2018
