Intellectual And Literary Language Controversies Of The Algerian Post-colonial Novel In French Expression

Résumé: This paper aims at nuancing the issue of French language in literature, as being considered one of the most-heated controversies with reference to other literary and intellectual debates between Algerian writers in the post-colonial period. The paper stresses the importance of the language to ‘universalize’ Algerian experiences and discourses, pertinent to the Algerian socio-historical context, through literature. The issue of language, therefore, calls for highlighting other matters pertinent to: audience, genuine socio-historical themes and valid Algerian-centric theoretical paradigms. Ultimately, the paper finds that the impact of European criteria of literary critique inherited from the colonizer epistemologies and philosophies is so clear on the Algerian novel. We urge, then, a recommending call to ‘decolonize’ them as a prelude to ‘liberation’ of the Algerian literature. Writing the Algerian novel in French had better not to be ‘ideologically’ considered a curse, but rather booty.

Publié dans la revue: مجلة إشكالات في اللغة و الأدب