Anthropocentrism, Utilitarianism and Supernaturalism in African World View: Some Linguistic Evidence

bibliographic database
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Periodical article

Title:	Anthropocentrism, Utilitarianism and Supernaturalism in African World View: Some Linguistic Evidence
Author:	Louwrens, L.J.
Year:	2000
Periodical:	South African Journal of Ethnology
Volume:	23
Issue:	2-3
Pages:	91-101
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:	world view Bantu languages Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Religion and Witchcraft
Abstract:	The views expressed in this article centre on the premise that there exists a direct and demonstrable relationship between the grammatical structure of the Bantu languages of Africa and the world view of the peoples who speak these languages. The article presents evidence that three major tenets of African philosophy, namely anthropocentrism, utilitarianism and supernaturalism are clearly attested in Bantu grammar in the domains of the noun class system, botanic nomenclature and certain passive constructions, respectively. By accepting the relationship between language structure (grammar) and human beings' innate cognitive processes, it becomes possible to utilize grammatical analysis as a heuristic procedure to access members of a particular community's perception of the natural and supernatural worlds, and their attempts to make sense out of it. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and Afrikaans.