African Literature (Books, Literature & Reading) Language Learning Forum

African Literature
Tags: African languages \| Literature
Language Learning Forum : Books, Literature & Reading

lichtrausch
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Message 1 of 6

11 May 2010 at 5:41pm | IP Logged

Which Sub-Saharan African language has the richest literary tradition in your opinion? If I ever decide to learn a Sub-Saharan African language, this would influence me in my decision.
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Danac
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Message 2 of 6

11 May 2010 at 9:27pm | IP Logged

I found a reading list of African literature, and if you base it on the amount of literature, the two leaders are Nigeria and South Africa.

http://african.lss.wisc.edu/biblio/lit_page.htm#bycountry

From what I've read about it, I got the impression that a lot of African literature is written in English.

The was some mention of a Yoruba writer called Daniel Olorunfẹmi Fagunwa, but I'm not exactly sure that's much to go by.

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Spanky
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Message 3 of 6

11 May 2010 at 10:30pm | IP Logged

Danac wrote:

From what I've read about it, I got the impression that a lot of African literature is written in English.

The was some mention of a Yoruba writer called Daniel Olorunfẹmi Fagunwa, but I'm not exactly sure that's much to go by.

I believe he did write directly in Yoruba. Perhaps the most prominent Yoruba author, Wole Soyinka, published principally (or perhaps only) in English, and translated some Fagunwa into English.

Edited by Spanky on 11 May 2010 at 10:31pm
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lynxrunner
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Message 4 of 6

12 May 2010 at 2:01am | IP Logged

Angelique Kidjo, the most prominent artist from Benin, does songs in Fon, Yoruba, and
English (as well as many other languages).

I know that there was an ancient Ethiopian language with a script from pre-colonial days,
but I can't remember the name.
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etracher
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Message 5 of 6

12 May 2010 at 8:22am | IP Logged

lynxrunner wrote:

I know that there was an ancient Ethiopian language with a script from pre-colonial days,
but I can't remember the name.

Perhaps you are referring to Amharic?
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minus273
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Message 6 of 6

12 May 2010 at 3:25pm | IP Logged

etracher wrote:

lynxrunner wrote:

I know that there was an ancient Ethiopian language with a script from pre-colonial days,
but I can't remember the name.

Perhaps you are referring to Amharic?

Amharic & Tigrinya & friends, their Latin is Geʿez.

Edited by minus273 on 12 May 2010 at 3:25pm

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