Défense et Illustration des Langues Africaines: Linguistic Commitment and Critical Thought in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s and Kwasi Wiredu’s Works
This article proposes to return to the history of the notion of “African Renaissance” and its link with the question of the revalorization of African languages. By presenting the work of the Ghanaian philosopher Kwasi Wiredu and the Kenyan novelist Ngugi wa Thiong’o, we wish to illustrate how the li...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | fra |
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Pléiade (EA 7338)
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Itinéraires |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journals.openedition.org/itineraires/6122 |
| _version_ | 1818063618023882752 |
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| author | Pierre Boizette |
| author_facet | Pierre Boizette |
| author_sort | Pierre Boizette |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article proposes to return to the history of the notion of “African Renaissance” and its link with the question of the revalorization of African languages. By presenting the work of the Ghanaian philosopher Kwasi Wiredu and the Kenyan novelist Ngugi wa Thiong’o, we wish to illustrate how the linguistic dimension has been central to thinking about how to free the continent from Western domination. The use of English could thus appear antinomic to the very idea of rebirth as it symbolized the renewal of a form of imperialism, even after independence. Nevertheless, these two authors did not give up English. Their works testify to the fact that English, despite but also thanks to its hegemonic status, can today contribute to the African renaissance by promoting a conversational ideal capable of reviving the Pan-African dream. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T14:22:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd492012f8cb44c9a5e8ffe2abb56240 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2427-920X |
| language | fra |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T14:22:58Z |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | Pléiade (EA 7338) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Itinéraires |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd492012f8cb44c9a5e8ffe2abb562402022-12-22T01:45:09ZfraPléiade (EA 7338)Itinéraires2427-920X2019-07-012019110.4000/itineraires.6122Défense et Illustration des Langues Africaines: Linguistic Commitment and Critical Thought in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s and Kwasi Wiredu’s WorksPierre BoizetteThis article proposes to return to the history of the notion of “African Renaissance” and its link with the question of the revalorization of African languages. By presenting the work of the Ghanaian philosopher Kwasi Wiredu and the Kenyan novelist Ngugi wa Thiong’o, we wish to illustrate how the linguistic dimension has been central to thinking about how to free the continent from Western domination. The use of English could thus appear antinomic to the very idea of rebirth as it symbolized the renewal of a form of imperialism, even after independence. Nevertheless, these two authors did not give up English. Their works testify to the fact that English, despite but also thanks to its hegemonic status, can today contribute to the African renaissance by promoting a conversational ideal capable of reviving the Pan-African dream.http://journals.openedition.org/itineraires/6122African RenaissanceWiredu (Kwasi)Wa Thiong’o (Ngugi)cultural nationalismdecolonialconversation |
| spellingShingle | Pierre Boizette Défense et Illustration des Langues Africaines: Linguistic Commitment and Critical Thought in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s and Kwasi Wiredu’s Works Itinéraires African Renaissance Wiredu (Kwasi) Wa Thiong’o (Ngugi) cultural nationalism decolonial conversation |
| title | Défense et Illustration des Langues Africaines: Linguistic Commitment and Critical Thought in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s and Kwasi Wiredu’s Works |
| title_full | Défense et Illustration des Langues Africaines: Linguistic Commitment and Critical Thought in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s and Kwasi Wiredu’s Works |
| title_fullStr | Défense et Illustration des Langues Africaines: Linguistic Commitment and Critical Thought in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s and Kwasi Wiredu’s Works |
| title_full_unstemmed | Défense et Illustration des Langues Africaines: Linguistic Commitment and Critical Thought in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s and Kwasi Wiredu’s Works |
| title_short | Défense et Illustration des Langues Africaines: Linguistic Commitment and Critical Thought in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s and Kwasi Wiredu’s Works |
| title_sort | defense et illustration des langues africaines linguistic commitment and critical thought in ngugi wa thiong o s and kwasi wiredu s works |
| topic | African Renaissance Wiredu (Kwasi) Wa Thiong’o (Ngugi) cultural nationalism decolonial conversation |
| url | http://journals.openedition.org/itineraires/6122 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pierreboizette defenseetillustrationdeslanguesafricaineslinguisticcommitmentandcriticalthoughtinngugiwathiongosandkwasiwiredusworks |