The talk focused on the keys to the multiple linguistic reality in Africa during the second half of the 20th century, in the process of African decolonization. An analysis was presented on the effects and reasons why the various African literatures have been defined.

The speaker reviewed some of the great contemporary authors of African literature and explained the impediments they faced in using African languages such as “Kikuyu” or “Yoruba” in their literary creations, due to the historical conflicts between colonisers and indigenous people.

In addition, Junyent called attention to the contemporary African writers’ trend of thought in clinging to the European and American idea that hold to the fact that all the evil resides in Africa. All of this feeds a stereotype that does not do justice to reality and that has been reflected in many of the works of these authors.

This conference is part of the dissemination activities of the Threatened Languages Research Group (GELA) of the Universitat de Barcelona.