The intertextuality in seTswana: the novels of D P S Monyaise and M T Mmileng

Abstract

All men, in the vertiginous moment of coitus, are the same . All men who repeat a line from Shakespeare are William Shakespeare, (Worton and Still, 1990:13) The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship, influence or intertextuality in Setswana, using D.P,S. Monyaise and M.T. Mmileng. Influence and lntertextuality form the new literary devices which help to look at literature differently from before. lntertextuality as will be observed is an aspect of the new literary theory called DECONSTRUCTION. By looking at this theory, we are trying to avail the work of these two writers to it, because nowhere in Setswana literary studies have the aspect: intertextuality or the theory deconstruction been treated. We are of the opinion that this study will open new ways of analysing literature in African languages. This study also introduces two important concepts namely, host and parasite, where they are assigned to the two writers, Monyaise and Mmileng respectively, and this is done through the assessment of proverbs, imagery (simile and metaphor) and themes.

The study, firstly defines important concepts, then analyses Monyaise's works, presenting him as the host. Secondly, it looks at Mmileng ('parasite') to identify his relationship to the host Monyaise. We hope that this study w ill add and pave new ground in African languages literature in general as envisaged .