Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 13:21:38 +0200
From: Marie-Therese Abdel-Messih <mamessih-AT-gega.net>
Subject: Re: The British Empire Writes Back


You are all wondering whether there is postcolonial theory in Arabic! I
just
want to remind you  that Arabic does not refer to the language and
culture of
one ethnic group. There are Arabics even though there are political
efforts to
stereotype them all as one ARABIC. 
 I believe that our best contribution in postcolonial discourse has been
represented in the visual arts. Perhaps we are still stumbling about in
point of
theory because Arabic as language and/or discourse is associated with
the
unquestionable sacred tradition.
Few bilingual researchers are now involved in postcolonial studies.
There is some difficulty, however, 
publishing in Western journals probably because Arabic works are
not read by a large European public. 
Certainly, there is a need for Arabic to be represented on a wider
scale, and I'm
sure this will create a better understanding of the proliferating
Arabics!
Marie-Therese

Lisa Anne McNee wrote:

> Dear Maya,
> I think that many would argue that the Creolistes from the French Caribbean
> should be considered. You may want to look to Patrick Chamoiseau and to
> Edouard Glissant. A key text is the Eloge de la Creolite, which Chamoiseau
> wrote in collaboration with Bernabe and Confiant. And can we even imagine
> Homi Bhabha's work without the commentaries on Frantz Fanon? There are many
> other critics whom you may find interesting, but that would be a start. As
> for postcolonial theory in other languages, I think it would be interesting
> to hear from those members of the list who speak and read Arabic. I am sure
> that there must be a wealth of poco criticism and theory in Arabic that has
> yet to be translated, but I do not have access to it, as I have never
> studied the language. I do know that some works are available in
> translation, though. In Wolof, a Senegalese language that I have studied and
> used in my research, oral poetry performances and song were used to mock
> colonialists in the past. It would be interesting to re-examine satirical
> songs and poetry in light of your point #3. You might find it interesting to
> look at historians' work on social commentary, given that (at least in
> African Studies) they have done fascinating work on performances that
> critique colonial rule.
> Hope this helps. Lisa
>
> ----------
> >From: Maya S Dodd <msdodd-AT-clas.ufl.edu>
> >To: Shyamal Gupta <shyamal-AT-iname.com>
> >Subject: The British Empire Writes Back
> >Date: Mon, Apr 24, 2000, 12:33 PM
> >
>
> >Exhausted in my quest to discover postcolonial "theory" in languages
> >other than english, Mishra and Hodge's words ring truer than ever: "Does
> >the post-colonial only exist in English"-- or French for that matter.
> >    The problem though is probably compounded by
> >1. a lack of translation from "native' languages into english.
> >2. the location of prominent postcolonialists
> >3. problems of "genre" which do not accord the writings/other forms of
> >"postcolonial commentary" to rightfully be included in those anthologies
> >on "poco theory.
> >
> >Any "new directions" for seeking poco theory_NOT IN ENGLISH_ would be
> >appreciated.
> >Thanks
> >Maya Dodd.
> >
> >
> >     --- from list postcolonial-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
> >
>
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