Beyond the Dead End: Gikuyus and Englishes in Colonial and Postcolonial Debates on Language and Decolonizing (Kenya)

Abstract

and (then still) James Ngugi from East Africa.Notably absent are not only francophone and lusophone authors from Africa, but also authors writing in African languages are not present. Even Amos Tutuola apparently does not master 'English expression' well enough to fit the criteria (for more on the reasons for his exclusion, see Lo Liyong 1969: 159-60).A year later, one of the participants in the conference, Obi Wali published his famous essay "The dead end of African literature" (Wali 1963). In it he held that literature written in the colonial languages should not be classified as African literature: only literature written in African languages would qualify for that label.

The Philippines MTB-MLE Program: Reconciling Its Utilitarian and Ideological Rationales

“…These narratives draw the line between the medium of instruction and decolonization, as expressed by Constantino decades ago, are now becoming part of the discourse in other countries, particularly in those that experienced colonization (Agbedo et al, 2012;Agyekum, 2018;Altobbai, 2020;Brinkman, 2022;Dascomb, 2019;Decena, 2014;Degraff, 2019;Iseke-Barnes, 2008;Khepera, 2020;Lemberg, 2018;Msila, 2019;Pennycook & Makoni, 2020;Posada-Ortiz & Castañeda-Peña, 2021;Poudel et al, 2022;Rashid, 2021;Rodrigues et al, 2019;Salaün, 2013;Sellin, 1991;Shakib, 2011;Smith, 2016;Thiongʼo, 1998). It is interesting to note that a consensus is being established that argues the critical role being played by the language used in formal education setup in the attempt at decolonization.…”