Ngugi

I thought it was very interesting when Ngugi mentioned that because he, and his peers as well, was forced to learn English and were disciplined into not using their native language, that that native language wasn't given a chance to develop. There are no Shakespeare's and Galileo's in his native language.

And I think that's very sad. I had never thought about that aspect of colonial English education. In a sense the English were ripping these African cultures away from these people. And while they offer a good education, it is a good English education. Not only is it entirely directed in English but it was executed in a manner that fuffilled Endgland's education requirements, and what they deemed good.

But each culture is different. Ngugi's culture never had a chance to define what a good education was because they were required to separate themselves from it and think in English ways. And so I wonder about those racist or prejudice people who think that non-native English speakers are dumb. I think that they view these ESL students as dumb on their own terms and by their own definitions. They are dumb in the eyes of English education b/c they are just beginning as teenagers, adults, or even elderly.

But what about those people who are just as talented or as smart as Dickens or Einstein? It's interesting to think that if these African (and also Carribean) people were educated in dual languages (because it is undeniably beneficial to become fluent in English as well) they might have become the next Shakespeare, quite honestly. But it wouldn't have been Shakespeare at all. It would have been a genius in his own culture, just as Shakespeare was in English.

For example, Achebe has demonstrated great literary technique and talent. I wonder how much more talented he would be in his own language using teachings of his own culture.

But then again, would the world appreciate it?

Of course not.