scholarly journals “Securing One’s Base in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s Ongoing Literary Theory”: An Interview

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 783-785
Author(s):  
Moustapha Ndour
Keyword(s):  
Literary Theory ◽  
African Literature ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Ngugi Wa Thiong'o ◽  
Language Policies ◽  
Literary Identity ◽  
African People ◽  
European Languages ◽  
Full Control ◽  
Definition Of

In this interview, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o shares his current ongoing thoughts on the definition of African literature, issue of language and positionality, and decolonization of African resources. Ngũgĩ argues that English and European languages are stealingAfrican literary identity. His personal commitment to write in Gĩkũyũ is less motivated by a wider readership than a concern to secure “his base”. He lays the blame on Africans for lacking self-esteem or self-conception. Decolonizing African resources, including reforming language policies, stands as a mental sanity challenge in a world where African people are stereotyped and ethnicized in comparison to their Western counterparts. He concludes his thought humorously by calling for a full control of African resources and spaces.

scholarly journals Bury my bones but keep my words: The interface between oral tradition and contemporary African writing

Literator ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-44
Author(s):  
M.J. Cloete
Keyword(s):  
Oral Tradition ◽  
African Literature ◽  
Ngugi Wa Thiong'o ◽  
Oral Literature ◽  
Bessie Head ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
School Curricula

The contention in this article is that African oral tradition should be reexamined in view of its perceived new importance in the work of African novelists. This article investigates the nature and definition of oral tradition, as well as the use of oral tradition as a cultural tool. The increasing inclusion of oral literature as part of the African literature component within university and school curricula is discussed. Finally, the pronounced role of oral tradition in fiction is examined, using as exemplars some seminal works of Bessie Head (1978, 1990 and 1995 ) and Ngugi wa Thiong’o (1965, 1977, 1981, and 1982).

scholarly journals Literatura, Linguagem e Descolonização em Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (Quênia) e Chinua Achebe (Nigéria)

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Bruno Ribeiro Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Contemporary Literature ◽  
African Literature ◽  
Ngugi Wa Thiong'o ◽  
Chinua Achebe ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
African Languages ◽  
African People ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Writers ◽  
The Many

A história de literatura africana contemporânea está repleta de debates que tratam de sua utilidade frente aos povos de África e a natureza dessa literatura. Através das ideias de dois escritores africanos, Chinua Achebe e Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, este artigo revisita a história das ideias desses autores em respeito à literatura africana e sua linguagem de escrita. Tratamos de perceber como dois autores da mesma geração, porém de locais diferentes, Nigéria e Quênia, respectivamente, pensaram a produção literária e sua função em África no período pós-colonial.Palavras-chave: Chinua Achebe (1930-2013), Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (1938-), Literatura Africana, Línguas Africanas AbstractThe history of African contemporary literature is full of debates that deal with its utility to the many African people and the nature of this literature. Through the ideas of two African writers, Chinua Achebe and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, we revisit the history of the ideas of these authors in relation to African literature and the language in which this literature is written. We try to perceive how authors from the same generation, but from different locals, Nigeria and Kenya, respectively, thought their literary production and its function in Africa in the post-colonial period.Keywords: Chinua Achebe (1930-2013), Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (1938-), African Literatures, African Languages

The Afterlife of Oyono's Houseboy in the Swahili Schools Market: To Be or Not to Be Faithful to the Original

PMLA ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-184
Author(s):  
Ken Walibora Waliaula
Keyword(s):  
Italian Literature ◽  
African Literature ◽  
Ngugi Wa Thiong'o ◽  
Chinua Achebe ◽  
African Languages ◽  
European Languages ◽  
False Proposition ◽  
African Experience ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Asian Languages

Africa, the world's second-largest continent, speaks over two thousand languages but rarely translates itself. it is no wonder, therefore, that Ferdinand Oyono's francophone African classic Une vie de boy (1956), translated into at least twelve European and Asian languages, exists in only one African translation—that is, if we consider as non-African Oyono's original French and the English, Arabic, and Portuguese into which it was translated. Since 1963, when Obi Wali stated in his essay “The Dead End of African Literature” that African literature in English and French was “a clear contradiction, and a false proposition,” like “Italian literature in Hausa” (14), the question of the language of African literature has animated debate. Two decades later, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o restated Wali's contention, asserting that European languages led to African “spiritual subjugation” (9). Ngũgĩ argued strongly that African literature should be written in African languages. On the other hand, Chinua Achebe defended European languages, maintaining that they could “carry the weight of African experience” (62).

Additions and Corrections to Janheinz Jahn's Bibliography of Neo-African Literature (1965)

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (02) ◽  
pp. 129-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernth Lindfors
Keyword(s):  
African Literature ◽  
Complete List ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
European Languages ◽  
Travel Books ◽  
African Writers ◽  
Political Works ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Unpublished Manuscripts ◽  
Multilingual Approach

Janheinz Jahn's Bibliography is the most useful reference work that bibliographers of African literature have yet produced. One may wish to quarrel with Jahn about his definition of “neo-African literature” or about some of the material he has chosen to include (e.g., unpublished manuscripts, sermons, travel books, political works, monographs) as well as some he has chosen to exclude (e.g., literary works by white African writers, collections of folklore), but one must applaud his thorough documentation and multilingual approach. No other bibliography of African literature has been so comprehensive and so accurate. However, Jahn himself is aware that “there is no bibliography without gaps,” and he has invited others to help him “fill in these gaps and correct errors” (Jann, p. ix). It is hoped that the following list of additions and corrections will prove useful not only to Jahn but also to librarians, literary scholars, and other bibliographers. It is not to be taken as a complete list, for I have had neither the time nor the resources to check all of Jahn's entries or to search in more than a few libraries for missing titles. Of necessity my emphasis has been placed on materials written in European languages. I would encourage those who are aware of further errors and omissions to publish similar lists so that a more definitive bibliography of African literature can be prepared.

“Talk in Tamil!” – Does Sri Lankan Tamil onward migration from Europe influence Tamil language maintenance in the UK?

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (269) ◽  
pp. 123-149
Author(s):  
Lavanya Sankaran
Keyword(s):  
Heritage Language ◽  
Language Maintenance ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Mobility Patterns ◽  
European Languages ◽  
Onward Migration ◽  
Migratory Patterns ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk

Abstract This article uses the “communicative repertoire” conceptual framework to investigate the evolving linguistic practices in the Sri Lankan Tamil (SLT) diaspora, looking specifically at how changing mobility patterns have had an influence on heritage language use. Drawing on fieldwork undertaken with 42 participants of diverse migration trajectories in London, the study finds that onward migration has important implications for Tamil language maintenance and use in the UK, and for the introduction of European languages into the community. It argues that Tamil practices can only be fully understood if we consider them within the context of participants' communicative repertoires. Further, the definition of Tamil needs to be expanded to include different varieties, registers and styles that have been shaped by onward migration. As the trend of multiple migrations is becoming increasingly common in globalization processes, studying the recent change in SLT migratory patterns is also crucial to gaining insight into the diversities and transnational links that exist within and across diaspora communities respectively.

scholarly journals PROTECTION OF THE HONOR AND DIGNITY OF NATIONAL POLICE EMPLOYEES

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
Albina Batechko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Police Officer ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Public Order ◽  
Personal Safety ◽  
External Assessment ◽  
Current State ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
National Police

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the protection of the honor and dignity of the National Police of Ukraine. The notion of honor and dignity of a police officer is considered and analyzed. The author revealed the meaning of the terms «dignity» and «honor» and provided a definition of honor and dignity of police officers within the independence of these terms and pointed out the main difference between these concepts. The article identifies the current state of national and international legislation on the protection of honor and dignity. The main characteristics and indicators of professional honor and decent behavior of a police officer are given. It is noted that the real protection of the honor and dignity of police officers in practice is virtually ignored and, according to current statistics, offenses against the honor and dignity of police officers are indicators of latent crime. The experience of European countries, namely Poland and France on the mechanism of protection of personal safety and security of police officers is considered. The main provisions of the draft Law of Ukraine «On Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses of Ukraine to protect the honor and dignity of employees of the National Police of Ukraine, members of public formations for the protection of public order and the state border and servicemen» № 5050. It has been found that the honor of the police officer is a directly external assessment of the police officer from the society or the relevant social group, which characterizes the moral appearance of the entire personnel of the bodies and units of the National Police of Ukraine. The dignity of the police officer is the internal self-esteem of police officers as a moral personality that is significant for the environment, for society, and determining the significance of the police as a professional based on its achievements, self-esteem. The protection of the honor and dignity of the police as a citizen of Ukraine is carried out on general grounds and does not guarantee a certain level of protection during the execution of police officers.

Feeling Good by Doing Good

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Mruk
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Authentic Self ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Domains Of Life ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
New Evidence

Feeling Good by Doing Good: A Guide to Authentic Self-Esteem presents a new evidence-based approach to defining, understanding, and increasing self-esteem. The book translates decades of the author’s research and writing in the fields of self-esteem, positive psychology, and psychotherapy into everyday language. Its power comes from tracing the definition of self-esteem back to its very first use, which is based on doing that which is both just and right. Seen this way, self-esteem is not merely feeling good about oneself. Rather, it comes from actually doing something to earn that experience. In addition to distinguishing between low, defensive, and authentic self-esteem, the book helps readers consider the connections between self-esteem and positive psychology in regard to such topics as self-control, how self-esteem operates in domains of life such as school or work, how self-esteem acts as a compass to help us make healthier choices, practical suggestions to increase authentic self-esteem, and the connection between authentic self-esteem, relationships, and well-being. The words, diagrams, and activities in the book are written so that it can be used by clinicians, their clients, and intelligent general readers interested substance as well as practical applications.

Diglossia in North Africa

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotfi Sayahi
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Genetic Relationship ◽  
Language Contact ◽  
The Other ◽  
Speech Community ◽  
Standard Arabic ◽  
European Languages ◽  
Language Attitude ◽  
Functional Distribution ◽  
Definition Of

Diglossia refers to a situation where two linguistic varieties coexist within a given speech community. One variety, labeled the ‘high variety’, is used in formal domains including education, while the other variety, labeled the ‘low variety’, is used principally in instances of informal extemporaneous communication. The domains of use, however, are not strictly separate and especially so with the increase in electronic modes of communication. This results in what has been described as diglossic code-switching, and the gradual encroaching of, in the case under consideration here, vernacular Arabic upon the domains of use of Standard Arabic. While the genetic relationship between the two varieties is central in the definition of a classical diglossic situation as in the case of Arabic, the concept of diglossia has often been extended in the literature to cover situations of a functional distribution between languages that are genetically distant, such as with the situation of Spanish and Guaraní in Paraguay. In North Africa, vernacular Arabic is in a classical diglossic distribution with Standard Arabic, while the Berber languages are often described as existing in a situation of extended diglossia with Arabic. However, distinguishing between diglossia as it exists between the Arabic dialects and Standard Arabic and the situation of bilingualism that involves Arabic, Berber, and European languages provides the best framework for describing the linguistic situation in North Africa. Diglossia is a key element in understanding the mechanisms of the region’s language contact and change as it plays a central role in shaping language attitude, language policy, and language planning.

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