European-language Writing in Sub-Saharan AfricaThe first major comparative study of African writing in western languages, European-language Writing in Sub-Saharan Africa, edited by Albert S. Gérard, falls into four wide-ranging sections: an overview of early contacts and colonial developments Under Western Eyes ; chapters on Black Consciousness manifest in the debates over Panafricanism and Negritude; a group of essays on mental decolonization expressed in Black Power texts at the time of independence struggles; and finally Comparative Vistas, sketching directions that future comparative study might explore. An introductory essay stresses the millennia of writing in Africa, side by side with a richly eloquent and artistic set of vernacular oral traditions; written and oral traditions have become interwoven in adaptations of imported forms and linguistic innovations that challenge traditional high literary norms. Gérard uses the mathematical concept of fuzzy sets to explain why the focus on Black Africa has led him to set aside for future analysis the literatures produced in North Africa, which fall under the influence of Muslim civilization, as well as the diasporic literatures of the New World. Over sixty scholars from twenty-two countries contribute specialized studies of creative writing by leading authors in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries such as Achebe, Mphahlele, Ngugi, Senghor, Soyinka, and Tutuola. Critical analyses are organized primarily around regions, reflecting different colonial languages imposed through schools and other social institutions. Some authors trace the adaptation of western genres, others identify syncretism with folktales or myths. The volumes are attentive to the heterogeneity of national literatures addressed to polyethnic and multilingual populations, and they note the instrumental politics of language in newly independent states. A closing chapter, Tasks Ahead, identifies areas for future scholars to explore. |
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Page 31
... on high-level decision-making in the metropolis, but also on its practical application in the field by the missionaries of various denominations who for a long time remained in complete charge of the colonial educational system.
... on high-level decision-making in the metropolis, but also on its practical application in the field by the missionaries of various denominations who for a long time remained in complete charge of the colonial educational system.
Page 33
Although the phrase “East Africa” applied in colonial times to an “inter-territorial” entity comprising Uganda, Kenya and present-day Tanzania, it would seem that for purposes of literary classification, Eastern Africa should also ...
Although the phrase “East Africa” applied in colonial times to an “inter-territorial” entity comprising Uganda, Kenya and present-day Tanzania, it would seem that for purposes of literary classification, Eastern Africa should also ...
Page 89
He was strongly critical of British policy throughout the episode,1 6 and was followed by other Western-educated Africans— local merchants, journalists and clergymen, quick to point to the vagaries of colonial rule.
He was strongly critical of British policy throughout the episode,1 6 and was followed by other Western-educated Africans— local merchants, journalists and clergymen, quick to point to the vagaries of colonial rule.
Page 91
21 Nevertheless, in those difficult post-war days, it was the African who was forced to adapt to the colonial situation. Under the disapproving eye of the British administration, the National Congress struggled for life and achieved ...
21 Nevertheless, in those difficult post-war days, it was the African who was forced to adapt to the colonial situation. Under the disapproving eye of the British administration, the National Congress struggled for life and achieved ...
Page 99
It is, however, the most appropriate word in this context; for, it is true that a “colonial, or dependency situation”37 existed between the first settlers and the natives they found on the land and, to all intents and purposes, ...
It is, however, the most appropriate word in this context; for, it is true that a “colonial, or dependency situation”37 existed between the first settlers and the natives they found on the land and, to all intents and purposes, ...
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achievement activity African Literature appeared became become beginning British called Cape century character Christian civilization collection colonial concerned contribution creative critical cultural described drama early edition emergence English especially European example experience expression fact fiction first followed France French hand human important independence influence intellectual interest issue journal language late later literary living London major means narrative native nature negritude Nigerian noir novel original Paris perhaps period play poems poet poetry political Portuguese present Press printed problems produced prose protest publication published race racial remained represented seems Senghor sense short shows significant social society South African story theme tion traditional translation turn University values village West Western writers written Yoruba young
Informations bibliographiques
| Titre | European-language Writing in Sub-Saharan Africa Comparative History of Literatures in European Languages |
| Rédacteur | Albert S. Gérard |
| Éditeur | John Benjamins Publishing, 1986 |
| ISBN | 9027274681, 9789027274687 |
| Longueur | 1288 pages |
| Exporter la citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |