Blog Post #25 - Language of African Literature

The content and theme of Ngugi’s extract can be used to show a deeper appreciation of Things Fall Apart. In what ways does this text influence your understanding of Achebe’s use of language and stylistic choices in Things Fall Apart?

This text has increased my knowledge of Things Fall Apart due to the multiple similarities shared between it and the latter. In this extract, Ngugi presents to the readers a descriptive account of the language and its harmony that thrived within his community including its destruction shortly after the start of the colonization. This further illustrates the destruction of Igbo society following the missionaries’ arrival and Ngugi's viewpoint is like that of Achebe's. Both Ngugi and Achebe both built authentic perspectives based on their personal knowledge and experiences, further developing the readers understanding on the Igbo culture which allows a reader a more intimate insight into the culture in discussion.

Ngugi intensely represents language to be a form of art which has found itself in all spheres of life within his community. As Ngugi states, language is not just a gathering of sounds put together but rather an inclusive essential element of the culture that was placed into all the aspects of life. Achebe has given language in Things Fall Apart a similar status as Ngugi.

It is clear from the inclusion of folktales, proverbs, untranslated words, songs and several other forms of orality important to the Igbo people, it can be suggested that a comparable amount of honour is given to the language by the society which was the same in the society Ngugi came from.

Finally, this text reinforces my understanding of the development and steady destruction of Igbo society which eventually leads to its complete disintegration.