I've read his first novel, The Interpreters, and just purchased his second novel. I also have in my possession a play by him. I hope to read more in the future.
Ok people follow me here . I being an African American clearly see the problem some young Nigerians may have with Soyinka. Once a Black man masters the english language and speaks it so eloquently, young Blacks mistake him for being too lofty and trying to act white as the case of several Black Americans.So the youth feel distant . But to master their language and speak it to them as ( or more) eloquently as they do is a testament to our strength and genius . Soyinka is pure inspiration.
Your observation is less ominous with the young educated Yoruba tribes. They are never intimidated by the ability of a persons ability to speak the English Language, but rather inspired by it. If you know how difficult it is for you to learn a foreign tongue and still go on to use that tongue to outsmart or out perform the real owners of that Language, you'll understand the reasons for such awe. If the British can learn Yoruba and still beat me at exams, you'll understand what I'm saying.
I'm preparing to write my doctoral dissertation on Soyinka's poetry and getting acquainted to English language African poetry and one thing that makes me sad is a kind of gap between these African writers and their European or American peers. This gap is not literary, but kind of politic or 'cultural', an isolation, as you said, a very unfortunate thing.
Baba wole, thanks for your literary legacy. I still have a copy of your book "burden of memory..." that you personally authographed for me at Vanderbilt.
if I am some sort of "bacteria" or AIDS-like disease. I also speak German and Russian fluently as they are languages dear to my heart and which I learned from middle school. I have to contend with much prejudice and stupid remarks when I travel across borders. That's the kind of world we live in. We can only laugh. Mr. Soyinka is one of a kind individual and I have much love and admiration for him. I've met him in person and he exhudes charm and finesse as few men, literary or not. Chapeaux Monsieur! I wish him the best. Le meilleur de tous les mondes pour un vrai hommes de lettres.
@Popalongkid I thoroughly agree with you, I just find the thinking flawed that why is speaking with eloquence seen as acting "white" in our communities? As opposed to being a trait of just an intelligent man lol Love this guy
Have you read Soyinka's "The open sore of a continent?". Not a difficult read AT ALL. May God indeed forgive you for mentioning Adichie and Soyinka in the same breath. Don't do it again.
My message was cut off. I said: I was born in France and I am Franco-Mexican, and I, too, have had to endure many prejudices from people because of my multilingual abilities. They see me as some sort of "bacteria" or AIDS-like disease. I also speak German and Russian. People, when they meet you, immediately jump with all their prejudices and hatred to judge you. Why can't people just stop, think and go with the flow?
@Dantesdoom Ok, here the gist! Black people over the world naturally speak english with their native accent . So do Asians and Latinos etc. So it is an effort to speak English like a European . Not a sign of intelligence , just accomplishment . Nigerians speak pidgin , Jamaicans padtwa ,etc. Our African tongues are strong! Peace.
@Popalongkid I find it strange and insulting that people should find a black man who speaks english eloquently strange or have a problem with it. i dont find it an achievement for a nigerian to speak proper english .. in fact i believe that it should not be a topic of conversation... where i grew up in nigeria, my fluency of english wasnt discussed but here in DC in the US, people find it strange that i speak well.we all have been equally immersed in the language.
His books are mostly a difficult read though as i am sure you will agree , Achebe on the other hand is equally as profound but far more accessible. put it this way and no disrespect to soyinka i was juggling between rereading the man died and chimamanda adichie's purple hibiscus. God forgive me but i had to ditch the man died.
onyibiafra calm down, but he can do without the ehh.. i like Mr. Wole Soyinka because i am Nigerian and also he is full of knowledge. my point is dat when he says ehh... it really distracts me from getting what he is saying.
I find it strange and insulting that people should find a black man who speaks english eloquently strange or have a problem with it. i dont find it an achievement for a nigerian to speak proper english .. in fact i believe that it should not be a topic of conversation... where i grew up in nigeria, my fluency of english wasnt discussed but here in DC in the US, people find it strange that i speak well. nigerians, african americans, white americans have been equally immersed in the language.
@eragoggle... why do you expect him to be what he is not? He is not an English man, and english is his second language..even British prime ministers and pulic speakers use the ehhhhhhhhhh. so what's your problem? you see fault where there is none, because he is African???
Well I wouldnt call this man a nigerian as he is descended of prominent americo-liberian family; basicly african-americans who moved back to Africa in mid 1800s
Paskamees, where did you get this history that he descended from Americo-Liberian? Do you just enjoy being stupid or what? I am from where he is from. And we are from our lineages that have never left Africa; in fact, never left southwest of Nigeria. Pocket your stupidity a bit please.
Sorry late reply. My message was really pointing out how Eloquent and Inspiring Mr. Soyinka is. But if you want to know those Black Americans to laugh at , look no further than the Hip Hop community and listen to their english , however creative it is . And Africans do hold education more valuable than the average Black American . I was called a white boy for not speaking too ghetto in school .
The greatest Laureates Africa has ever heard.Thanks for your great talent and work.
I'm yet to see a better English speaker including the owners of the language..
Soyinka is strikingly eloquent...
Christopher Hitchens might be a contender :)
I've always been fascinated with people like you.
Wole is one of the wonders of Egba people. He is an orator and a emboidement of intelligence.
Wole Soyinka is an ijebu man from lshara but his mom from Abeokuta!
You beautifully roooccck uncle Wale + you're an inspiration to our generation... You + beautiful family are infinitely loved....
I've read his first novel, The Interpreters, and just purchased his second novel. I also have in my possession a play by him. I hope to read more in the future.
Ok people follow me here . I being an African American clearly see the problem some young Nigerians may have with Soyinka. Once a Black man masters the english language and speaks it so eloquently, young Blacks mistake him for being too lofty and trying to act white as the case of several Black Americans.So the youth feel distant . But to master their language and speak it to them as ( or more) eloquently as they do is a testament to our strength and genius . Soyinka is pure inspiration.
Popalongkid eloquently put
Your observation is less ominous with the young educated Yoruba tribes. They are never intimidated by the ability of a persons ability to speak the English Language, but rather inspired by it. If you know how difficult it is for you to learn a foreign tongue and still go on to use that tongue to outsmart or out perform the real owners of that Language, you'll understand the reasons for such awe. If the British can learn Yoruba and still beat me at exams, you'll understand what I'm saying.
Oluwafemi Eseku Samson well articulated
I can listen to Sole Shoyinka speak all day!
simply genius!
MY MENTOR, I AM SO PROUD TO ALWAYS LEARN FROM HIM
I'm preparing to write my doctoral dissertation on Soyinka's poetry and getting acquainted to English language African poetry and one thing that makes me sad is a kind of gap between these African writers and their European or American peers. This gap is not literary, but kind of politic or 'cultural', an isolation, as you said, a very unfortunate thing.
That is very basic and common information. Reflects that you do not understand his rhetoric.
I really love this.
Knowledge is Light.
the greatest quote for me in 2021 thank you sir
You are good inspiration to us all sir. I still love that your novel THE MAN DEAD
Phenomenal ...............
Baba wole, thanks for your literary legacy. I still have a copy of your book "burden of memory..." that you personally authographed for me at Vanderbilt.
actually young nigerians have no problems with that but we are happy to see a black man speak eloquently. Maybe in America but not in nigeria
if I am some sort of "bacteria" or AIDS-like disease. I also speak German and Russian fluently as they are languages dear to my heart and which I learned from middle school. I have to contend with much prejudice and stupid remarks when I travel across borders. That's the kind of world we live in. We can only laugh. Mr. Soyinka is one of a kind individual and I have much love and admiration for him. I've met him in person and he exhudes charm and finesse as few men, literary or not. Chapeaux Monsieur! I wish him the best. Le meilleur de tous les mondes pour un vrai hommes de lettres.
Absolutely.
Soyinka my mentor in fantasy
very inspiring
I love Wole
@Popalongkid I thoroughly agree with you, I just find the thinking flawed that why is speaking with eloquence seen as acting "white" in our communities? As opposed to being a trait of just an intelligent man lol Love this guy
"He speaks so well" Chris Rock
YOU ARE RIGHT...
Have you read Soyinka's "The open sore of a continent?". Not a difficult read AT ALL.
May God indeed forgive you for mentioning Adichie and Soyinka in the same breath. Don't do it again.
My message was cut off. I said: I was born in France and I am Franco-Mexican, and I, too, have had to endure many prejudices from people because of my multilingual abilities. They see me as some sort of "bacteria" or AIDS-like disease. I also speak German and Russian. People, when they meet you, immediately jump with all their prejudices and hatred to judge you. Why can't people just stop, think and go with the flow?
I mean,you try as hard as possible to insult us and put us down and make sure to let us know that you despise us and yet you're obsessed with us!
@Popalongkid not to mention the fact that the accent is clearly there.
does anyone know where I can get a dvd of his play 'Death and the King's Horseman'?
Good speaking
the ability 2 master words comes from reading da whole freakin dictionary!
@Dantesdoom Ok, here the gist! Black people over the world naturally speak english with their native accent . So do Asians and Latinos etc. So it is an effort to speak English like a European . Not a sign of intelligence , just accomplishment . Nigerians speak pidgin , Jamaicans padtwa ,etc. Our African tongues are strong! Peace.
@Popalongkid I find it strange and insulting that people should find a black man who speaks english eloquently strange or have a problem with it. i dont find it an achievement for a nigerian to speak proper english .. in fact i believe that it should not be a topic of conversation... where i grew up in nigeria, my fluency of english wasnt discussed but here in DC in the US, people find it strange that i speak well.we all have been equally immersed in the language.
Who who- who plays that trippy music in the opening? Does anybody know this so I can give him a hat?
Jesse Campbell I too like the music and remind me my childhood even though I can't remember where I listen it...
His books are mostly a difficult read though as i am sure you will agree , Achebe on the other hand is equally as profound but far more accessible. put it this way and no disrespect to soyinka i was juggling between rereading the man died and chimamanda adichie's purple hibiscus. God forgive me but i had to ditch the man died.
Not to worry. the old man won't die. If Abacha couldn't kill him, coughing will not!!
onyibiafra calm down, but he can do without the ehh.. i like Mr. Wole Soyinka because i am Nigerian and also he is full of knowledge. my point is dat when he says ehh... it really distracts me from getting what he is saying.
Baba u are simply too much!!!
I find it strange and insulting that people should find a black man who speaks english eloquently strange or have a problem with it. i dont find it an achievement for a nigerian to speak proper english .. in fact i believe that it should not be a topic of conversation... where i grew up in nigeria, my fluency of english wasnt discussed but here in DC in the US, people find it strange that i speak well. nigerians, african americans, white americans have been equally immersed in the language.
Funny!
Verygode
I like pounded yam too
wetin be your own sef!
u know about Eric Williams boook
@eragoggle... why do you expect him to be what he is not? He is not an English man, and english is his second language..even British prime ministers and pulic speakers use the ehhhhhhhhhh. so what's your problem? you see fault where there is none, because he is African???
You some form of education!
na so
30:00
@Paskamees Utter and complete nonsense. Soyinka is 100% African. Not a descendant of slaves.
Later
BABA OF SECRET CULTS IN NIGERIA!!!!
lol i cant understand a word this guy is saying TO MUCH BIG WORDS! LOL i wish i was that smart :(
you are smart I believe in you
pounded yam with vegetable stew (efo) is better than sex.
Well I wouldnt call this man a nigerian as he is descended of prominent americo-liberian family; basicly african-americans who moved back to Africa in mid 1800s
Paskamees lol
Paskamees LOL please log off
Huh???
Paskamees, where did you get this history that he descended from Americo-Liberian? Do you just enjoy being stupid or what? I am from where he is from. And we are from our lineages that have never left Africa; in fact, never left southwest of Nigeria. Pocket your stupidity a bit please.
omgoodness, this guy's just not making sense to me (not in a bad wy). All that grammar's confusing
Sorry late reply. My message was really pointing out how Eloquent and Inspiring Mr. Soyinka is. But if you want to know those Black Americans to laugh at , look no further than the Hip Hop community and listen to their english , however creative it is . And Africans do hold education more valuable than the average Black American . I was called a white boy for not speaking too ghetto in school .
eragoggle... ok, I thought you were criticising the literary grand master's command of the English lang.. peace
he should minimize the ehhhhhh..............
52:00
Too much ego!!!
Chucks, you and your people have jealousy and hate in you. Why?