USE OF LANGUAGE IN
THINGS FALL APART
Introduction
Writers from formerly colonized nations debate among themselves whether they should
write in their native language or in English.
Some argue that writing in English makes their writing lose cultural subtleties and
meanings.
For them, a “foreign” language can never fully describe their culture.
Choosing a Language
Achebe does not concede to the notion that a foreign language is unable to fully describe a
native culture.
In a 1966 essay reprinted in his book Morning Yet on Creation Day, he says that, by using English,
he presents “a new voice coming out of Africa, speaking of African experience in a world-wide
language.”
He recommends that the African writer use English “in a way that brings out his message best
without altering the language to the extent that its value as a medium of international exchange
will be lost.”
Achebe accomplishes this goal by innovatively introducing Igbo language, proverbs, metaphors,
speech rhythms, and ideas into a novel written in English.
The point on which Achebe agrees with his fellow writers was that their writings should be didactic.
They should write for a social purpose.
Many Africans writers write for a sole mission – to reestablish the African culture.
Choosing a Language
In a 1964 statement, also published in Morning Yet on Creation Day, Achebe comments,
“African people did not hear of culture for the first time from Europeans. . . . their societies
were not mindless,… they had poetry, and above all, they had dignity. It is this dignity that
African people all but lost during the colonial period, and it is this that they must now
regain.”
To spread African works to a non-African audience, Achebe became the founding editor
of the African Writer Series for the publishing firm Heinemann.
The Use of English
Achebe presents the complexities and depths of an African culture to readers of other
cultures as well as to readers of his own culture.
By using English, he reaches a much bigger audience than he would reach by using Igbo.
Writers who write in native language must still allow their works to be translated in English.
Problem faced by using English: How can he present the African heritage and culture in a
language that can never describe it adequately?
Primary task of Things Fall Apart is to tackle the lack of understanding between the Igbo
culture and the colonialist culture.
An understanding of Igbo culture can only be possible when the outsider can relate to the
Igbo language and terminology.
The Use of English
Achebe utilizes Igbo words, rhythms, language, and concepts of his culture in an English text to
bridge the cultural divide.
The Igbo vocabulary is merged into the text almost seamlessly so the reader understands the
meaning of most Igbo words by their context.
Words like chi and obanje are untranslatable, but by using them in the context of the story,
Achebe makes the readers understand their meaning.
Chi, a complex Igbo concept, is translated by Achebe as personal god when he mentioned
Unoka’s ill fortune. He wrote, “Unoka was an ill-fated man. He had a bad chi or personal god,…”.
The chi concept is more complex than a personal deity or even fate, another frequently used
synonym. Chi suggests elements of the Hindu concept of karma, the concept of the soul in some
Christian denominations, and the concept of individuality in some mystical philosophies.
The Use of English
Achebe also references Igbo proverbs and tales in the novel such as “As the elders said, if
a child washed his hands he could eat with kings.”
He highlighted that the Igbo culture is fundamentally oral. He wrote, “Among the Igbo, the
art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which
words are eaten.”
These proverbs are woven smoothly into their context and require only occasional
explanation or elaboration and quite similar to Western fables and sayings in spirit.
Speech patterns and rhythms are occasionally used to represent moments of high
emotion and tension. For example, the sound of the drums in the night in Chapter 13 (go-
di-di-go-go-di-go), or the agonized call of the priestess seeking Ezinma in Chapter 11
(Agbala do-o-o-o!)
The Use of English
Achebe also utilizes Pidgin English.
Pidgin is a simplified form of language used for communicating between groups of people
who normally speak different languages.
Achebe uses only a few Pidgin words or phrases — tie-tie (to tie); kotma (a crude form of
court messenger).
As colonialists, the British were adept at installing Pidgin English in their new colonies.
Pidgin sometimes takes on characteristics of master-servant communication; patronizing
yet subservient.
Pronunciation of Igbo Names and Words
The Igbo language is a tonal one; that is, differences in the actual voice pitch and the rise
or fall of a word or phrase can produce different meanings.
For example, Achebe describes how the missionary's translator, though an Igbo, can not
pronounce the Mbanto Igbo dialect: “Instead of saying 'myself' he always said 'my
buttocks.‘”
Igbo names represent meanings or ideas. For example, Ikemefuna means my power
should not be dispersed, and, Onwumbiko means Death, I implore you.
Names can also be given to honor someone or something. For example, Nneka means
mother is supreme.
Prior to Nigerian independence in 1960, the spelling of Igbo words was not standardized.
Thus the word Igbo is written as Ibo, the pre-1960 spelling throughout Things Fall Apart.
