Créolité and Relation: Patrick Chamoiseau and Edouard Glissant Respond to Martinique's Diminishing Créole Culture
Lauren N. Schultz
Dr. Betty McLane-Iles, Faculty Mentor
As an overseas department of France, the island of Martinique is strongly influenced by the French language and culture. Consequently, European standards and perspectives are frequently imposed on the lives of the people of Martinique. In particular, the French language is often viewed as superior to the creole that is widely spoken on the island. This perspective, however, is destructive to creole culture and identity. Martinican authors Edouard Glissant and Patrick Chamoiseau discuss the dangers of this destruction in their works and encourage their ideas of Relation and Créolité. Glissant and Chamoiseau have different points of view but they both work towards helping Martinique fight against the loss of cultural and linguistic identity.
Keywords: Patrick Chamoiseau, Edouard Glissant, Martinique, Relation, Créolité
Topic(s):French
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: -2
Location: VH 1212
Time: 9:45