REVISITING THE KEY CONCEPTS IN POSTCOLONIAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

Postcolonialism as a theory emerged due to colonialism, especially European colonialism and it dwells on colonialism and its aftermath. Postcolonial discourse is out to kick out all Eurocentric ideas, and this study makes reference to some of the terms used in analyzing colonialism. The study maintains that colonial discourse existed before the emergence of postcolonial discourse. Colonial discourse has emanated from the Eurocentric views of the coloniser, as they portrayed the natives as savages. Colonial discourse tarnished the reputation of the natives in a bid to justify colonialism. Postcolonial discourse is out to redeem this negative image of the colonised people and strongly disagree with all the issues put forward by the imperialists. This study identifies abrogation, appropriation, representation, transformation, translation as key terms in postcolonial discourse. The study notes that the issue of language—whether to use the colonisers language or not—is a contentious one as postcolonial theorists and critics recommend abrogation while others call for appropriation of the coloniser’s language. This study concludes that appropriation of the coloniser’s language in postcolonial nations is easier than abrogation. Abrogation which calls for the total rejection of the coloniser’s language may not be possible in multilingual nations.