Perspectives on the role of English

4.3
Indigenous literary arts
Exposure to English has led to various developments in the Periphery’s literary
arts. Firstly, to paraphrase Kachru (1994: 145), English has functioned as a model for

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modifying, extending and refining genres already present in Periphery nations’ literary
traditions. Secondly, it has provided fresh genres, styles and themes which have
subsequently been taken up through the local language (ibid.). Finally, some Periphery
writers use English in addition to, or in preference to, their own native tongue (Kachru,
1992b: 242; Lowry, 1992; Thumboo, 1992; Bisong, 1995: 128-131; Tully, 1997: 158).
On this aspect of cultural development, Phillipson (1992) questions the
motivations of Periphery writers who work in English when they could channel their
creativity through their own local languages. He advances three explanations. Firstly, that
such writers desire to show that they can '[master] the Imperial culture'. Secondly, that
they are attempting to
''decolonize' [Periphery] literature written in English' and thirdly, that they are unwitting
victims of cultural imperialism (Phillipson, 1992, all cited Bisong, 1995: 129). Perhaps
the best way to refute these claims is to let such writers defend their decisions for
themselves:
If I had not written in English, I would not have written at all.
(Joseph Conrad, 1965: 60, quoted by Bisong, 1995: 130).

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I feel that the English language will be able to carry the weight of my African
experience. But it will have to be a new English, still in full communion with
its ancestral home but altered to suit its new African surroundings.
(Achebe, 1975, quoted by Bisong, 1995: 129).
How shall we describe Indian creative writing in English.......Of course, it is Indian
literature, just as the work of Thoreau and Hemingway are American literature. But
Indian literature comprises several literatures....and Indian writing in English is but
one of the voices in which India speaks. It is a new voice, no doubt, but it is as much
Indian as others.
(Iyengar, 1962: 3, quoted by Kachru, 1992b: 242).
It seems that English is the preferred medium for some simply because it
facilitates the creative process (Bisong, 1995: 129). Any suggestion that Periphery writers
writing in English have ulterior purposes or hidden agendas is, in Bisong’s view both
'patronising' and ill-informed (ibid.: 131). The additional literary resources made
available through English can therefore be seen as complementary to the local literary
traditions, rather than being at odds with them (Kachru, 1994: 145).
In summary, the main points in this section have been that:
* the value-system associated with EIL provides additional ‘attitudinal resources’.
* contact with English has led to greater functionality in Periphery languages through
linguistic enrichment.
* English has provided additional literary resources.