THE LITERATURE IN NORTHERN SOTHO: 1960–1982

Abstract

Northern Sotho received its spelling in 1861, but the first literary work to be written, was published much later. The development of this literature is still hampered by the problem of illiteracy, and for that reason, not many books have been published yet. Furthermore, the taste and interest of the reading public is still very limited. There is actually no demand for popular stories, books with a scientific tendency, etc. Up to now only the so-called serious literature has come to the fore. This development occurred especially from 1960 up to 1982 which can be called the Matsepe period in the history of Northern Sotho literature.

Hoewel Noord-Sotho reeds in 1861 sy ortografie gekry het, het die eerste geskrewe literêre werke in dié taal nie voor die dertigerjare van hierdie eeu verskyn nie. Die ontwikkeling van dié letterkunde word egter nog geweldig deur die ongeletterdheidsprobleem gekortwiek: nie net is daar min werke gepubliseer nie; dié letterkunde bedien boonop slegs “n baie klein hoewel uitgesoekte les ers gemeens kap waarvan die smaak en belangstelling nog uiters beperk is. Ligte lektuur geniet bykans geen aftrek nie, terwyl wetenskaplike en populêr- wentenskaplike leesstof, vakliteratuur, ens. nie bestaan nie. Dit is slegs ten opsigte van die sogenaamde ernstige letterkunde dat die Noord-Sothoskrywer tot dusver gepresteer het, en op dié terrein is die jare vanaf 1960 tot 1982 belangrik.