French is an African Language

Alliance Francaise Presents: Doyle Calhoun is University Assistant Professor of Francophone Postcolonial Studies at the University of Cambridge. Dr Doyle will explore the politics of writing in a former colonial language, what makes African literature "African," and how readerships differ
across continents.
This presentation will explore the politics of writing in a former colonial language, what makes African literature "African," and how readerships differ across continents.

With over 60% of the world’s French speakers living in Africa—a number projected to exceed 80% within two decades—French is as much an African language as a European one. Despite this, African literature in French has historically been marginalized under the term “Francophone literature.” Yet, some of today’s most influential literary voices are African or from Africa’s diaspora. This talk explores key trends and debates in African literature in French, examining how authors like Mohamed Mbougar Sarr and Boubacar Boris Diop address questions of colonial history, African identity, and the politics of writing in a former colonial language, as well as the differences between African and French readerships.