Paper short abstract:

"Ethnocritique" as an innovative method for a future literary anthropology (Afrikanistik). Uncovering a cultural and narrative concept from Senegal in literary texts of Mariama Bâ, Fatou Diome, Ken Bugul and Marie NDiaye by focusing on words and terms of the Senegalese language Wolof.

Paper long abstract:

In my dissertation, the defense of which is still pending at the beginning of 2024, I focus on a cultural and narrative concept from Senegal that can be discovered in literary texts of Mariama Bâ, Fatou Diome, Ken Bugul and in an indirect manner in a novel of Marie NDiaye. In order to uncover this cultural and narrative concept, I applied the scientific method ethnocritique, which I will explain in my lecture using selected citations. This innovative method points the way towards a literary anthropology that strives to leave the Eurocentric path in order to adopt an Afrocentric perspective. Incommensurability is allowed in order to discover – hidden behind and between the French lines – the world views which motivate not only the authors themselves, but also their characters' actions and the worlds they narrate (diegesis).

The focused elements in the text analysis are the non-French words and terms from one Senegalese language, Wolof, which I speak fluently, as I lived in Senegal for a long time. This knowledge, but also the fact that as a German I am distant to both the French and the Senegalese culture, enables a particular perspective on the studied texts.

My presentation brings together some of the main foci of this panel: the importance of the study of African languages and the role of (cultural) translation, innovative research methods of African (and other; even European) literature(s) and pressing social issues, e.g. the migration to Europe of the Senegalese youth motivated by unquestioned cultural concepts.