Linguistic Hermeneutics and the Problem of Interpretation in African Thought
OBIOHA Uwaezuoke Precious, PhD
Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University
Etifiok Nkereuwem Udominyang
Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University
Abstract
This paper is an expository cum analytic examination of linguistic hermeneutics and the problem of interpretation of African thought. It argues that, despite linguistic diversities in community, African thought expression can still sustain it’s unique meaning through context-dependent interpretation and translation. Western philosophers in the likes of Wittgenstein and others have agreed to the fact that language is subjective and therefore governed by rules. But the paper observes that in most cases Western scholars do not respect this fact (that language has no fixed meaning but governed by rules) whenever the game is played outside their own language. This bias expects African thought expression to always be monolithic. African thought expression having suffered from this fate has lost her ingenuity both in culture and in identity. Drawing inference from Annang and Igbo thought expressions and highlighting the fundamental hermeneutical problems that confront African thought expression, the authors argue that these problems are surmountable through forceful linguistics decolonization. their submission is that decolonization can only be meaningful if western languages are overthrown in African attempt to break away from the western cultural servitude. In doing this, Africans will be able to establish their identity and thereby promote African centered perspectives and understanding of African thought.
Keywords: Linguistic, Hermeneutics, Africa thought, Interpretation, meaning