The following opinion piece from the Nairobi paper The East African Standard was seen on AllAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/stories/200606120473.html
It is an interesting point of view to consider, but I admit that I (as an outsider) still don't understand how writing in one's first language "alienates others." It is something that writers do in various countries around the world without angst or hostile reaction. The main things probably are 1) the attitude of the writer (in this case it is not against other African languages) and 2) the attitudes of people (there is a notion that may be more widespread than we realize that languages are somehow in competition, which they should not be and in any event in literature are not). Anyway, if a writer such as Ngugi writes in Gikuyu, it can, as the author of this piece mentions, be translated into English - or for that matter Swahili, etc. Really you don't lose anything as far as I can see other than a little time (for translation) by having vernacular literature. In fact you probably gain perspectives on life and reality by having full and rich expression in diverse languages that you wouldn't have - that you couldn't have - if every writer felt compelled to write in a more widespread language like English. The author of this piece suggests that the writer ask him/herself who are they writing for - I couldn't agree more, but see that as an argument that can equally well be used FOR literature in diverse African languages (and other languages of the world). So, bring on the vernacular writers ... and the translators with them! Don Osborn Kenya: Vernacular Writers Alienate Audience The East African Standard (Nairobi) http://www.eastandard.net/ OPINION June 11, 2006 Posted to the web June 12, 2006 Nicholas Asego Nairobi Professor Ngugi wa Thiong'o was in the country recently for the launch of his latest novel Murogi wa Kagogo. When finally completed, this six-part novel will be the biggest book written in an African language, surpassing David Mailu's Broken Drum. During the launch, the distinguished professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California was at pains to defend himself against accusations of alienating a greater section of readers by writing in Gikuyu. Critics have been quick to point out that his scope of readers is limited. Even among the Gikuyu, the audience is still limited. Ngugi has been consistent in his belief that the use of African language is one of the ways through which Africans can claim their identity from their former colonisers. Explaining his decision to write in his mother tongue, he cites the multiple connections between language and culture. He argues that colonialism made inroads into the African cultures through the control of languages. Ngugi's stand easily reminds one of Obi Walli's statement in 1963 when he argued: "Any true African literature must be written in the African language " In his Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature (My farewell to English as a vehicle for any of my writings), Ngugi argues that the continued use of European language perpetuates the colonial dependency that has brought the continent to the present point of collapse. The writer views the English language as a "cultural time bomb". His alternative is to use a medium, which best captures, the "collective experience" of the African. Though this sounds like a very seductive argument from Ngugi and many other writers; I do not agree with it. The fact is: writing in a local language in a multi-lingual society alienates others. However, we must be grateful that an English translation of Murogi wa Kagogo is on the way. Though the novel addresses the leadership issues common in the Third World countries only few can capture this. Such universal themes should be available to the greater universal readership. I believe there are writers who are able to express themselves adequately in whatever language they use. Ngugi is in this category. English per se is not the problem, neither is French or any other "colonial" language. Without casting aspersions on the writers who chose to write in their local language or in English, I believe every writer should think of why they are writing. They should ask themselves - "for whom am I writing?" As they do this they should also bear in mind the competing audience and, in this case, the "universal" (the non speakers of the language) as opposed to the local. In the case of Ngugi's latest novel, I must confess that I belong to the competing audience category. Any good writer can make the language submissive enough for his own use. Ngugi did this in his earlier works, such as Weep Not Child and The River Between. His third novel, A Grain of Wheat, is so far his most mature work, in both style and content. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get to your groups with one click. Know instantly when new email arrives http://us.click.yahoo.com/.7bhrC/MGxNAA/yQLSAA/TpIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
