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FORMS OF LITERATURE
There are two major types/forms of literature namely;
1. Oral literature
his is a type of literature that presents the message through words of mouth. It is the oldest form of literature since it was practiced before the invention of writings. Example, myths, parable, legends etc.
2. Written literature
This is a form literature that presents the message through written form. It began with the invention of writings. It has two major forms, which are fiction and non-fiction. Examples of written literature include biography, autobiography, novels, plays, short stories, essays etc.
Relationship between oral and written literature
1. Both portray on social realities.
2. Both use language as its medium of communication.
3. Both consist of two elements that are form and content.
4. Both perform similar functions like educating, developing language and uniting people.
Difference between oral and written literature
1. Oral literature presented orally while, written literature presented through writings
2. Oral literature preserved in memory while, written literature preserved in writings like novels and short stories.
3. Oral literature involves performance while, written literature does not involve performance rather than reading.
4. Oral literature adopts immediate changes while, written literature does not adhere to immediate changes.
5. Oral literature is rich in types while, written literature has few types.
6. Oral literature is rich in characters while, written literature is limited to human characters.
7. Oral literature is owned by the whole community while; written literature is owned by the author.
8. Oral literature is old in age while, written literature is young in age.
Relationship Between Literature and Language
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Language acts as the bridge where we get messages.
Features of language used in literature
1. It is imaginative in nature
The language used in literature creates mental picture in the readers’ mind. When the reader reads, he or she can have a picture of something. This is done by figures of speech such as exaggeration and metaphor.
2. It does not follow the standard rides of grammar
This means that any writer of fiction or literary work is free to violate the rides of grammar to convey a certain intention.
3. It is symbolic in nature
In literature words are used to presents a certain idea or something. Example, in YOUR PAIN, the word ‘blood’ symbolizes sacrifice.
Relationship between literature and language
1. Literature uses language as a medium to present the intended message.
The artists must possess a wide range of vocabularies and a goal command over appropriate occasion and right that express the meaning intended.
2. Language is used to influence other peoples’ mind.
The functions of the spoken words are not only conveying meanings, but also influence peoples’ minds. It makes them alert with the aim of bringing the changes in the society for the betterment of the people.
3. Language is used to arouse emotions.
It can be for pleasure and enjoyment to convince, persuade, and arouse emotions such as pity, terror and sorrow. Through language (words) people can enjoy or being sad.
4. Language is a part of literature.
We cannot have literature without language. It is therefore, necessary for people who compose literary works to use language of the society to convey the intended message to the audience. For example, if the artist wants to communicate the message to Tanzania, they are forced to use Kiswahili that is understood by majority.
5. Literature is used to develop language.
This is through reading, listening, speaking and writing.
6. Language makes literature a work of art.
When language is used artistically is called literature. The language of literature is creative, imaginative, and symbolic in nature.
Literature is both stored in either written words and presented in reading while stored in human memory. Also, presented through the word of mouth. Through a language, the audience understood.
7. Underdevelopment and un-development of African languages
Writers cannot write in languages that have not been developed to have a written form or languages that have not been developed to the level at which they could be used in literature.
8. Absence of government language policies.
In Africa, there are no government policies that could encourage the use of African languages in literature.
9. Lack of promotion of African languages in employment and education system.
There is no African country where a credit pass in an African language is a criterion for promotion in the civil service, admission to university or employment.
10. The issue of multilingualism in Africa.
It is estimated that there are 2035 African languages at present. This situation is possibly responsible for the lack of government policies that could encourage the use of African languages in literature.
11. The cost of developing African languages
To develop a language is capital intensive. It is therefore difficult to develop all the languages of Africa to be used in literature.
12. Lack of market for literary works written in African languages.
In other words, it is hard to put most African languages in written form. This is a major factor that affects the commercial values of the literary works written in the languages.
13. The problem of publication
Most publishers are not willing to publish works written in African languages. Publishers of literary works in African languages are a biggest challenge. Most publishing houses are reluctant to publish these works because they have no experts in these languages.
Relationship Between Literature and Language
Importance of language in literature
1. Language is important in literature due to the following reasons;
2. Language is the medium of literature. It is the road, carrier or vehicle through which literature is conveyed either as oral or written one.
3. Literature is created by language. This means there would be no literature. if there was no language. When the text uses language in an artistic or peculiar way, it is called literature or literary text.
4. Literature transforms and intensifies ordinary language into creative one. In doing so, literature deviates systematically from everyday speech to figurative language.
5. Language is improved when reading literature. So, reading is an aid for language development. We read different literary text to improve language.
6. Language helps students to develop textual analysis skills of various literary works.
7. Language in literature helps to expose students to samples of real-life setting in various literary works.
