Portuguese language and the identity of the assimilated in Angola: Some readings from the short story “Mestre Tamoda”, by Uanhenga Xitu

Abstract

This paper aims to present an analysis of Portuguese language use as the official language of Portuguese colonial state, in confrontation with the linguistic diversity of colonized countries, especially Angola. To this end, the short story «Mestre Tamoda», by the writer Uanhenga Xitu, will be analyzed to exemplify and discuss linguistic attitudes of African speakers of Portuguese. In addition, the role of Portuguese public language policies and the processes of (attempts to) annihilate and abolish autochthonous African languages will be investigated, as well as the way in which the Portuguese language was promoted and started to serve as an instrument of colonial power’s oppression. In the African text in question, we can observe the violent process by which autochthonous subjects were submitted in favor of the implementation of a series of political measures that «sold» the idea of civilization, but that extinguished or tried to diminish manifestations of local cultures and languages. Tamoda builds his identity by seeking, through copying the colonizer’s habits and customs, a place in society. In the Portuguese-speaking context, this «invention of citizenship» took place by subverting the idea that it is the invaded who must accept and adapt to the “local” values of the invader and not the other way around. Thus, language and culture could not only be imposed, but they would also have to offer a hope of ascension and entry into citizenship. These sophisticated public policies have made and would make the modern project of governance viable, through the imposition of disciplinary instruments, such as the promotion of the Portuguese language.