The novel « Things Fall Apart » by Chinua Achebe is written in English. However, there are some Ibo expressions set in this novel to introduce the reader’s mind into a more authentic and unique African atmosphere. The author, Chinua Achebe, is the first to write a novel about colonialism in the perspective of a colonized tribe from within. Furthermore, he is the only African who has ever described the African culture before and after the settlement of the Christians. This essay will examine how the Ibo expressions are used in the novel and what kind of effect they have on its audience.
Chinua Achebe uses different linguistic forms such as Ibo expressions, or proverbs than writers like Joseph Conrad. Furthermore, Achebe writes also in the point …show more content…
However, the reader is able to understand these expressions within the context, how it is shown by this example: “She set the pot on the fire and Okonkwo took up his machete to return to his obi.” The audience is capable of interpreting this word’s meaning, but if they wish the detailed information behind this expression the author, Chinua Achebe, included a small-scale dictionary at the end of the novel. Furthermore, there is a second reason why the writer didn’t translate some of the words like ekwe or umuada. Their meanings don’t exist in the English language nor in its culture. Hence, Achebe didn’t want to translate them by explaining their definition which would lead to a more unprecise context. The effect of remaining these 36 expressions in their original language – the Ibo – serves again the audience to reach a more specific insight of the culture of the Ibo people in “Things Fall Apart”. Moreover, it “…subvert(s) the colonialist language and culture”. Thus, these Ibo fragments are a reminder to pre-colonial times, and demonstrate the refusal to completely let the colonialist’s language take
Chinua Achebe uses different linguistic forms such as Ibo expressions, or proverbs than writers like Joseph Conrad. Furthermore, Achebe writes also in the point …show more content…
However, the reader is able to understand these expressions within the context, how it is shown by this example: “She set the pot on the fire and Okonkwo took up his machete to return to his obi.” The audience is capable of interpreting this word’s meaning, but if they wish the detailed information behind this expression the author, Chinua Achebe, included a small-scale dictionary at the end of the novel. Furthermore, there is a second reason why the writer didn’t translate some of the words like ekwe or umuada. Their meanings don’t exist in the English language nor in its culture. Hence, Achebe didn’t want to translate them by explaining their definition which would lead to a more unprecise context. The effect of remaining these 36 expressions in their original language – the Ibo – serves again the audience to reach a more specific insight of the culture of the Ibo people in “Things Fall Apart”. Moreover, it “…subvert(s) the colonialist language and culture”. Thus, these Ibo fragments are a reminder to pre-colonial times, and demonstrate the refusal to completely let the colonialist’s language take