Achebe and Thong'o

Achebe Exercise

A. Summarize the claims Achebe makes in favor of African writers using English

1. Write 5 or 6 sentences paraphrasing his key points in favor of English (i.e. a colonial, world language)
2. Draft a paragarph that presents his position by giving a coherent overview (but including supporting details).

B. Discuss the following questions in group and then write brief responses.

1. What value does Achebe recognize in the use and survival of ethnic (native) languages?
2. What arguments against English (as a national, pan-African) language does he acknowledge but reject?
3. Is his conclusion persuasive?

Thiong'o Exercise

A. Summarize the claims that Thiong'o makes in favor of teaching, writing, and educating in native (he calls them "national") languages.

1. Articulate five or six points in favor.
2. Draft a paragraph that presents the position by giving a coherent overview (but including supporting details).

B. Discuss the following questions in group and then write brief responses.

1. How would you characterize Thiong'o's main concerns about the dominance or imposition of English in Kenya? (i.e. politics, ethnic cultural, philosophical/Whorfian, expressive/artistic...)
2. What does the information he provides about Kenyan educational standards regarding the mastery of English contribute to his argument?
3. Does the representation of Achebe in Thiong'o's conclusion fairly represent Achebe's position or distort it in order to undermine it?