Response 18: "The African Writer And The English Language"

The case that Achebe makes for integrating native experiences through a changed English language is interesting. “Achebe argues that having a ‘national’ language, even if it was one that served colonialism, can be a positive communication tool, without eliding local differences and particularities” (547). He does make a valid point through that statement because if one were to simply write a story in a language that is only native to that particular region, the story will not be understood by or become accessible to a larger audience. While African literature is not “one unit but…a group of associated units—in fact the sum total of all the national and ethnic literatures of Africa”, expressing these different stories in a global language can make the stories resonate and show/educate readers on the diversity and different example of the complexities and differences in African literature and culture and provide reasons as to why one “cannot cram African literature into a small, neat definition” (548).

Using English instead of native languages could contribute to “speaking of African experience in a world-wide language”, again because it would be accessible to and understood by a larger audience (552). Perhaps if the author doubts that the story can remain purely authentic if written in English, the author could write a story in their native language and then also provide the story written in English. However, while choosing to provide an English version of stories and literature, “The African writer should aim to use English in  a way that brings out his message best without altering the language to the extent that its value as a medium of international exchange will be lost” (552).

There is also a question posed in the reading, about how “The real question is not whether Africans could write in English but whether they ought to” (553). I do agree with Achebe’s viewpoint that if English can authentically portray the African experience through literature, by also keeping authentic African surroundings, language, portrayal of relationships etcetera.  Someone in class once mentioned that one purpose of literature is to show the reader the rest of the world, and if African stories and literature can be used to depict authentic experiences if written in English, it would be beneficial to do so because it educates outsiders and can be a source of comfort for people that can relate to those experiences.