My Pilgrim Soul: Choosing the Other Tongue
Writers from South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand, and Malawi discuss the influence of colonization on their writing, the reclaiming of language from the experience of political oppression, and the ethical dimensions of appropriating the voice of another culture or gender as one’s own. The recording begins as Peter Nazareth is introducing the poet Kirpal Singh of Singapore. Kirpal Singh talks about the complexities of cultural interactions. Marita Van Der Vyver speaks about the threat of colonization to Afrikaans and their native language against the ever growing influence of English. Van Der Vyver plays an Afrikaans song recording for the audience. Steve Sharra from Malawi discusses the problem of politics and freedom of expression in Africa. Sharra notes the positive influence of colonization because Africans are able to freely express themselves through art and literature now. Bernadette Hall discusses the role language has played in New Zealand in regards to the native Maori language that is spoken there and the influence the English language is having on the New Zealand culture. After the first hour and six minutes, questions are taken from the audience.
In: International Writing Program Archive
Authors: Kirpal Singh , Marita Van der Vyver, Steve Sharra, Bernadette Hall
Date Recorded: September 03, 1997
Program: --
Format: discussion
Contributors: Peter Nazareth
Topics: Religion; language; human rights; apartheid; Afrikaans; colonization; freedom of expression; neocolonialism