First observations on the organization of Southern-Sotho literature as system

Abstract

Southern-Sotho literature constitutes an autonomous literary system with various intersystemic links with surrounding African and European literatures of the subcontinent. Various parties participate in its production, distribution, and consumption, and contribute to its evolution over nearly two centuries both in Lesotho and the RSA: storytellers, reciters, authors, reviewers, publishers, prescribing and screening committees, language boards, departments of education, students, readers, and listeners. Since inception its oral and written subsystems have been involved in an absorbing intrasystemic dialogue. During the past quarter-century both subsystems were substantially reinforced and extended by a ‘literature of the air’ through radio broadcasts. The Systemic Approach provides a framework according to which the evolution can be observed and reconstructed.

Die literatuur van Suid-Sotho vorm 'n outonome literêre sisteem met verskeie intersistemiese verbande met omliggende Afrika- en Europese literature van die subkontinent. Verskeie instansies neem deel aan sy produksie, verspreiding, en verbruik, en dra by tot sy evolusie oor bykans twee eeue in sowel Lesotho as die RSA: storievertellers, voordraers, outeurs, keurders, uitgewers, voorskryfen keurkomitees, taalrade, onderwysdepartemente, studente, lesers, en luisteraars. Die mondelinge en geskrewe subsisteme is sedert aanvang in 'n boeiende intrasistemiese dialoog gewikkel. Gedurende die afgelope kwarteeu is albei subsisteme aansienlik versterk en uitgebrei deur 'n ‘literatuur oor die lug’ met behulp van radio-uitsendings. Die sisteembenadering verskaf 'n raamwerk waarvolgens die evolusie waargeneem en gerekonstrueer kan word.