Tekswysigings in "die eerste siklus" (Leroux) - 'n evaluerende ondersoek in die lig van die Afrikaanse edisietegniek
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Date
1996-11
Authors
Teise, Victor Nico
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This study is primarily focussed on the evaluation of textual procedures in canonised Afrikaans literary texts in general and with specific reference to Etienne Leroux's work. The hypothesis underlying the study is contained in statements by Johann Johl (1986) who expresses his concern over a "gebrek aan gefundeerde tekskundige kritiek in Afrikaans" as well as André P. Brink (1987) who questions the textual procedures maintained with regard to Die eerste siklus (1986). Brink views Die eerste siklus as a ''vae deurmekaarspul (...) onbetroubaar en irriterend". These statements will, on the basis of controllable evidence within numerous Afrikaans literary texts, be subject to verification.
Since alterations (vid. emendations) in a text are supposed to take place within the framework of a scientific discipline called textual criticism it would be more than appropriate to give a brief historical background/orientation of the relevant discipline, as well as its nature. For that reason, certain terminological matters such as the authority of the author, authorial intention (linguistic), modernization, the copy-text, etc., will be explained.
Textual procedures that have been maintained with regard to different Afrikaans revised texts (also collected works) will be examined against the background of the defined textual strategies. Aspects to be highlighted are:
• the way in which alterations/emendations have taken place;
• the nature and extent/magnitude of the alterations;
• the authority of the author, authorial intention (linguistic), modernization, the copy-text, etc.;
• the controllability of the alterations, especially with regard to the use of racial pejoratives in revised editions such as Laat vrugte (C.M. van den Heever) and Bart Nel (J. van Melle).
In the case of Leroux's work the focus will be placed on Die eerste lewe van Colet (1975), Die mugu (1974), Hilaria (s.a.) and Die eerste siklus (1986). The latter will constitute the central focus of the study. Important aspects which will be placed under the spotlight are the following:
• a synoptic history of every text;
• the authority of the author, authorial intention, modernization and the copy-text;
• an inventory of the alterations that have taken place in every text; and
• the use of racial pejoratives on the different narrative levels as distinguished by Schmid.
The conclusion that was arrived at is that textual procedures in most Afrikaans collected works (as well as some revised editions) showed a lack of scientific grounding. Deficiencies that were common in most of these works can be tabled as such:
• their incompleteness;
• the unsatisfactory way in which collected material has been arranged;
• unwarranted editorial intervention in some texts;
• textual procedures that have in some cases not been accounted for;
• the non-existence of a selective apparatus ("variantenapparaat") where variants can be arranged in a hierarchical fashion; and
• the issue of racism which has not been reflected upon thoroughly.
Finally, it can be postulated that (judged by its editorial/textual aim and despite a few shortcomings) textual principles regarding Die eerste siklus (1986) have been adhered to. Brink's (1987) statement can therefore be regarded as precipitous.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.A. (Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French))--University of the Free State, 1996, Leroux, Etienne -- Criticism and interpretation, Afrikaans fiction -- Textual criticism