Multilingualism in Theatre for Development Communication: A Study of NIMA

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.