Language decolonization and deconstruction: re-integrating disparate linguistic epistemes in contemporary African studies

Click the star to add/remove an item to/from your individual schedule.
You need to be logged in to avail of this functionality, and to see the links to virtual rooms. Log in

Accepted Paper:

Language decolonization and deconstruction: re-integrating disparate linguistic epistemes in contemporary African studies
Olatunji Alabi Oyeshile (University of Ibadan)

Paper long abstract:

Contemporary scholarship in African studies is confronted with a major dilemma. That of foreign languages that have served as media for expression and thought due to colonialism and the need to put African languages at the forefront of African scholarship to ensure that African scholarship strives towards authenticity in knowledge production. Foreign languages cannot be dispensed with in an outright manner, neither can we engage in full utilization of indigenous African languages in the pursuit of research due to their poor development, limitation in scope and the African colonized minds that have altered the notion of the African-being-in-the-world.

However, the contemporary challenge in African studies calls for the decolonization of mind, language and concept to engender African renaissance and sustainable development. How this feat can be achieved forms the basis of this paper.

I argue, using renowned scholars in African studies such as Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, Kwasi Wiredu, Ali Mazrui, W. E. Abraham, Molefi Kete Asante, Paulin Hountondji, P. O. Bodunrin, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Abiola Irele among others, that the most viable way out of the dilemma is to pursue an integrative linguistic episteme that will pursue aggressively the institutionalization of African language in African studies in conjunction with extant linguistic frameworks embedded in the African linguistic sphere as a result of colonialism. This approach becomes imperative due to the need for an acceptable language of discourse in the global knowledge scheme and the fact that African scholars cannot re-invent the wheel but build upon the existing language episteme. Furthermore, the approach presents an opportunity for African scholars to decolonize concepts, not from any radical perspective that may be counterproductive to global scholarship, but on a gradual basis. After all, the pertinent goal of African scholarship is to attain an all-inclusive renaissance that will be conducive to universal scholarship and sustainable development for Africa.

Keywords: African language, Decolonization, African Studies, Authenticity, Development.

Word Count: 304

Panel D27a
Language issues: reconfiguring language use in African studies [initiated by the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos, with Africa Multiple Centre of Excellence, Bayreuth]
Session 1

A A A A A