Postcolonial v. Post-colonial

Often, colonization is discussed with a tone of finality, in history classes and discourses. However, the repercussions of the colonies are still felt and discussed. These talks fall into two groups: Postcolonial and post-colonial. These two words have different connotations, despite looking extremely similar. After all, what is the difference of a hyphen?

Post-colonial is a common discussion of intellectual thoughts surrounding the colonized area, a redefining of the world and the society within which the colonies existed.

Postcolonial discusses the historic period after the decolonization. In these terms, the history, geography and politics of the decolonized countries is analyzed. Additionally, there is a study of the study of the old colonizers in this context.

The idea of colonialism is forever a part of the present in that effects the way that things are taught and how cultures have been changed, regardless of efforts to recover lost traditions.

In some of her stories, Adichie creates the scene of Nigerian universities in which English is taught through its own department, similar to the “English” department. Regarding the languages taught, there is a movement to minimize the importance of English and place it in a department that studies other foreign languages. This would be essentially like placing English in a more minor position, similar to how French is taught through the “Languages, Literatures, and Culture” Department, along with many others.

As English is given such a primary role, it is a reminder of the fact that English has such a heavy presence in this country as a result of the fact that it was the language of the colonizers.

Postcolonialism and post-colonialism is an important discussion as it allows for the study of the ramifications and after effects of colonization that still exist in many countries today.