DIALOGIC REPRESENTATION OF POSTCOLONIAL DYNAMICS IN CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE’S AMERICANAH

JEZIK, KNJIŽEVNOST I DIJALOG (2024): 114–124

AUTHOR(S) / AUTOR(I): Confidence Happiness Evwodere

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DOI: 10.46793/LLD24.114E

ABSTRACT / SAŽETAK:

The echoes of colonialism reverberate through the present, profoundly shaping relational dynamics between the West and the Other. This impact is palpable in contemporary society and finds expression in literature. While postcolonial theory presents tools for analysing literary texts to unravel the resultant complex relations, Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) offers critical tools for analysing dyadic and larger intercultural and interpersonal dialogues to unravel people’s conversational accommodation styles. These two theories/disciplines—postcolonial theory from literary studies and CAT from Communication—provide theoretical frameworks to analyse dialogues within literary texts with the aim of unravelling the impact of colonialism on postcolonial societies and people and the dynamics of relations forged within the binary framework of the West and the Other. Through this exploration, we gain deeper insights into the complexities of identity, power relations, and cultural negotiation. The paper takes an interdisciplinary approach to emphasise that the interplay of these disciplines provides a rich ground for gaining insight into power, identity, and relational dynamics within the context of African diaspora narratives. Chimamnda Ngozi Adichie’s (2013) Americanah was purposively selected because it yields itself to CAT and postcolonial reading and it is rich with dialogues that reflect the lasting impact of colonialism and postcolonialism on the psyche of the coloniser and the colonised thereby providing rich data for the study. 

KEYWORDS / KLJUČNE REČI:

Dialogue, Postcolonial theory, Colonialism, Communication Accommodation Theory, Americanah 

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