Language in african dramatic literature: The example of Ola Rotimi's if… a tragedy of the ruled

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of language in African dramatic literature and identifies the controversy over
the choice of a most appropriate language to be used by African playwrights and also X-rays the solution to
language problem as proffered by prominent dramatic scholars. These solutions are then narrowed to Ola Rotimi and his experiment with the English Language. The effectiveness of a new brand of English language is also discussed in the area of characterization and audience receptiveness of Ola Rotimi's works and how this is achieved in If…A Tragedy of the Ruled.