A review by writetoexpress
The Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays by Chinua Achebe

4.0

In Chinua Achebe’s essay, “Politics and Politicians of Language in African Literature”, Achebe defends his use of writing in English despite being an African writer. He acknowledges Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's argument. However, Achebe believes “that the culprit in Africa’s language difficulties… was the linguistic pluralism of modern African states” (106). Since Africa is such a large continent, it was nearly impossible for one community to communicate with another if neither spoke the same language. Achebe further argues that English was not despised nor forced upon everyone in Africa. He mentioned how Kikuyu peasants were “revolting and breaking away because they prefer[ed] English” (104). Achebe, too, presents his own views on what African literature is composed of and what it means to be an African writer.

Achebe admires those who utilize both their mother language and the English language. Achebe begins his counterargument by defending his use of English, stating, “I write in English. English is a world language. But I do not write in English because it is a world language” (100). Achebe writes in English to make a statement on the cultural aspect of Africa. Rather being confined to a region in Africa, Achebe expands his reach through the English language. Achebe views English as a lingua franca, which unites different languages through a common language. It is a way to communicate and unite with the neighboring communities.