Redefining African Literature: The Language Dilemma

Abstract

This paper attempts to address the perennial question of: which language should African literature be written in? Over the decades, scholars in literature have weighed on the debate of the language of African literature (Mazrui, 1986, Adebisi 2010, Achebe 2000, Tanure 1992, Ngugi 1986, 2018, Mugane 2018) among a host of others. The major point of departure has been on whether African issues can be well expressed in a foreign language and whether writing in African languages does limit access to the audience on issues raised or provides the writer with enough resources to articulate his ideas within a multiplicity of languages characteristic of the African continent and beyond.

The main objective of this paper is therefore to analyze the possibilities available in the process of "Africanizing” Africa literature and whether language can exhibit or promote the process of writing African literature for a global audience. A coalesced analysis of various scholars on the issue of language will be highlighted as well as my views on the middle ground if any on the way forward.

Several pertinent areas on the language of African literature will be explored. This will include what is distinctively African literature, who qualifies to be called an African writer and to what extent does the medium of expression affect African literature in terms of it expressing the African agenda.

The paper will draw from scholarly papers, journals, texts and readings from various academic repositories both online and in libraries across Kenya utilizing a library based approach where data will be gathered from secondary sources outlined above.