Exploring the nature of multilingual input to infants in multiple caregiver families in an African city

The case of Accra (Ghana)

Bibliographic Data

ID14827872
AuthorsPaul Okyere Omane (0000-0002-0859-9826, corresponding author), Titia Benders (0000-0003-0143-2182, University of Amsterdam), Natalie Boll‐avetisyan (0000-0001-5446-946X, University of Potsdam), Natalie Boll-Avetisyan
Year2025
Volume74
Pages101558
Publication date2025-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCognitive Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0885-2014 • E-ISSN: 1879-226X
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.cogdev.2025.101558
OpenAlexW4407805415
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited62

Examining the language input experiences of infants growing up in multilingual African environments is essential to understanding their language acquisition. We explored the language input to 3;0–12;0-month-old infants ( N = 121) in Ghana (Sub-Saharan Africa), a non-Western and less-economically rich social context and highly multilingual country. Data collection involved an interview assessment, followed by caregivers completing a 12-hour logbook to indicate the languages their child heard over a day. Results demonstrated consistency of the infant's language exposure across both input measurement tools, suggesting their reliability. Results revealed that Ghanaian infants are raised multilingually, exposed to between two and six languages, and engage with between two and six regular input providers. There was no evidence for associations of age with number of languages or regular input providers. Analyses of the relative amount of input in Ghanaian English, Akan, Ewe, and Ga, revealed that infants receive less direct than indirect input in Ghanaian English, with no such difference observed in Akan, Ewe, Ga, and no evidence of age effects. These findings shed light on the language environment and input to African infants raised in multilingual societies, highlighting the impact of social and cultural contexts on linguistic input. We conclude with reflections on studying infants in non-Western, less-economically Rich social contexts in multilingual Africa. • Infant language input was estimated in a highly multilingual environment. • Tools were a Language Input Estimate interview protocol and a logbook over a day. • Ghanaian infants are raised multilingually, with between two and six languages. • Infants with more input providers also hear more different languages. • Ghanaian infants get more indirect than direct input in Ghanaian English

Developmental psychology · Language Development and Disorders · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology