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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The problem of how to use African language for African thought: on a multilingual perspective in African philosophy
Author:Kresse, KaiISNI
Year:1999
Periodical:African Philosophy
Volume:12
Issue:1
Pages:27-36
Language:English
Geographic term:Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:philosophy
African languages
Abstract:In its mediation, philosophy is wholly dependent on language. In African philosophy, how to use African language for African thought poses a problem. African societies have been shaped and influenced to a large extent by their colonial past, and it is still the European languages which govern African bureaucracy, education and philosophy. How can African philosophy liberate itself from this 'colonization of thought', and how can its central functions be fulfilled by African languages? These issues are discussed by philosophers such as H. Odera Oruka (Kenya) and Kwasi Wiredu (Ghana). The present author draws from an analogy to the field of literature, where similar problems concerning the use of language occur. In particular, he outlines the views of Daniel P. Kunene (South Africa), Ngugi wa Thiong'o (Kenya), and Mazisi Kunene (South Africa). He argues that due to the diversity of African cultures, African philosophy itself is intercultural and multilingual from the outset. The project of an inner-African intercultural philosophy, a discourse beyond the borders of culture and language, is inherently part of African philosophy. Ref.
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