Description
Book SynopsisThe monograph explores the linguistic impact of the colonial and postcolonial situations in South Africa on language policy, on literary production and especially on the stylistics of fiction by indigenous South Africans writing in English. A secondary concern is to investigate the present place of English in the multilingual spectrum of South African languages and to see how this worldly English relates to Global English, in the South African context. The introduction presents a socio-linguistic overview of South Africa from pre-historic times until the present, including language planning policies during and after the colonial era and a cursory review of how the difficulties encountered in implementing the Language Plan, provided for by the new South African constitution, impinge on the development of black South African English. Six chapters track the course of English in South Africa since the arrival of the British in 1795, considered from the point of view of the indigenous Afr
Trade ReviewBriault’s comprehensive study of the socio-linguistics of black South African writing, firmly grounded in historical and political change, is nothing short of groundbreaking. Innovative and well-written, it traces stylistic devices through insightful discussions of African orature, indigenization, and creolization of European languages. Illuminating, and a pleasure to read. -- Zoë Wicomb, Emeritus Professor, University of Strathclyde
Manus's linguistically attentive study is a valuable reminder to literary critics not only to return to the language of the text, but also to take seriously the practice of translation—including, crucially, same-language translation—in a culture of daunting and challenging heterogeneity. * Research in African Literatures *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Chapter I: A Period of Optimism (1795-1910): Literacy as the Path to Equality Chapter 3 Chapter II: Disillusionment Sets In (1910-1948): Black Englishmen and Urban Natives: First Signs of Indigenization Chapter 4 Chapter III: Under Control (1948-1960): Tsotsis, Tough-talking Journalists from the Urban Ghetto and the Post-Creole Continuum Chapter 5 Chapter IV: Dislocation (1960-1976): Colored or Creole? Writing 'Between Two Fires' in the Sixties Chapter 6 Chapter V: Deadlock (1976-1990): The Old is Dying and the New Cannot be Born Chapter 7 Chapter VI: Breakthrough (1990 and after): Multiple Identities and "Emerging Traditions" Chapter 8 Conclusion
