This study analyzes the experience of alienation from family and culture as portrayed in the personal narratives of francophone women. The authors appearing in this study are Assia Djebar and Marie Cardinal, from Algeria, Mariama Bâ and Ken Bugul, from Senegal, Marguerite Duras and Kim Lefèvre, from Vietnam, Calixthe Beyala, from Cameroon, Gabrielle Roy, from Canada, and Maryse Condé, from Guadeloupe. Alienation is deconstructed into the domains of blood, money, land, religion, education and history. The authors’ experiences of alienation in each domain are classified according to severity and cultural normativity. The study seeks to determine the manner in which alienation manifests in each domain, and to identify factors which aid or hinder recovery. Alienation in the domain of blood occurs as a result of warfare, illness, racism, ancestral trauma, and the rites of passage of menarche, loss of virginity, and menopause. Money-related alienation is linked to endemic classism, often caused by colonial influence. The authors experienced varying degrees of economic vulnerability to men, depending upon cultural and familial norms. Colonialism, warfare and environmental depending upon cultural and familial norms. Colonialism, warfare and environmental degradation all contribute to alienation in the domain of land. Women were found to be more susceptible to alienation in the domain of religion due to patriarchal religious constructs. In the domain of education, it was found that some alienation is inevitable for all students. Despite its inherent drawbacks, education provides tools for empowerment which are crucial for overcoming alienation. Alienation in the domain of history was found to hinder recovery due to infiltration of past trauma into the present, while empowerment in this domain fosters optimism and future-oriented thinking. Each domain offers opportunities for empowerment, and it is necessary to work within the domains to create a safe haven for recovery. Eight of the nine authors experienced at least a partial recovery from alienation. This was accomplished via cathartic release of negative emotions. Catharsis is achieved by shedding tears, talking, or writing about the negative experiences. The personal narrative was found to be especially helpful in promoting healing both for the author and the reading audience. / Classics and World Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (French)

Lengo la makala hii ni kujaribu kufafanua jinsi wafasiri walivyotafsiri kwa Kiswahili baadhi ya riwaya zilizoandikwa kwa lugha za kigeni, enzi za baada ya nchi za Afrika kujipatia uhuru. Kwa ajili ya mada yenyewe nimechagua mkusanyo wa riwaya nne zilizotafsiriwa na Watanzania, yaani Shamba la wanyama (kilichoandikwa na Fortunatus Kawegere, 1967), Shujaa Okonkwo (Clement Ndulute, 1973), Mzee na bahari (Cyprian Tirumanywa, 1980) na Barua ndefu kama hii (Clement Maganga, 1994). Wafasiri hao walikabiliana vipi na vipengele vya kitamaduni vya lugha chanzi (za jamii zenye maisha, dini, misemo, methali tofauti na yao n.k.)? Kwa kuzingatia swali hilo, makala inaeleza baadhi ya mbinu zilizotumiwa na watafsiri wa Kiswahili wakishughulika na maandishi kutoka kwa fasihi ya kigeni.