English 1C Essay #3: Post-colonial Theory. African Language in African literature

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African Language in African literature
Discussions about African literature have been subject in many arguments worldwide with the question being the best way to convey and preserve them. Clearly, there has been evolution in how the literature has been passed down from generations with modernization and globalization being a factor to the changing trends of African literature. History, pain, suffering and joy are inscribed in the literature and there is dispute on which languages best tell the story. Conflict arises where there is demand for the literature in foreign language while at the same time the Africans want to preserve it in theirs. This paper will critique Ngugi’s assertion that in order to craft authentically African Literature, authors must write in African language.
Ngugi is bitter about how African writers have abandoned their African language and sought after the European and American languages which he refers to as the languages of the colonizers (Thiong’o 4). Clearly, even after gaining independence, Africa is still dependent on the colonial languages for communication and as a medium of creating a common ground between them. Businesses, political mediations and literature works are all done in these languages. He describes language as the only way to speak to the mind and soul with it being more powerful than bullets which can only harm the body. Ngugi main idea is for the support of African language in writing African literature. He claims that writing about Africa does not necessarily warrant the work to be called African literature and also it is not the location of origin of the author that qualifies his work. On the contrary, African literature should be done in the African languages and translation into other languages should only be done by using the approximate meanings of the African languages in the foreign language.
I agree with Ngugi and acknowledge that there should be a different approach to writing African literature. I believe that the main reason authors should write African literature is to preserve the African history and there is no better way to preserve it than by incorporating the African language into the work of literature. As Ngugi argues, a writer in a foreign language can claim to write African literature so long as he writes about Africa which should not be the case (Thiong’o 6). There are phrases or certain stories that are best told in an African language and a foreign language would not have the same impact on the reader. Language is the vehicle which carries an entire culture, its beliefs, and puts it in a unique place amongst other languages in the world. It represents a community of people who share similar believes and it should be taken with pride.
Furthermore, it is clear that African writers who write in European languages are mostly seeking attention and instead of being worried about how their message on Africa was received, they worry about how well they have used the foreign language. Ngugi sees this as neo-colonialism where despite the independence; we are still enslaved in trying to fit in the European culture, pleasing them and living up to their standards. He also describes how despite the guilt an...