Race als Zugehörigkeitskonstrukt im DaF Kontext – Eine kritische Analyse am Beispiel von Friedrich Dürrenmatts Die Virusepidemie in Südafrika

Date
2019-04
Journal Title
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Race as a construct of belonging in the context of German as a Foreign Language (GFL) –A critical analysis of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s Die Virusepidemie in Südafrika This thesis discusses the cultural pattern of race as a construct of belonging within the short story Die Virusepidemie in Südafrika (The virus epidemic in South Africa) by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. The parabolic story tells ironically about a virus which turns all ‘white’ South Africans into ‘black’ South Africans during the Apartheid regime. Categories of ‘race’ are shown in the parable through a specific way of storytelling and by creating perspectives which prove that characters are ‘culturally’ conceptiualised and constructed. The story is playing with ideas of ‘belonging’ and ‘othering, by constantly offering stereotypes, which show that racism and the construct of ‘nation’ is still very much alive in Europe and South Africa. Based on postcolonial theories about ‘race’ and racism, this thesis analyses Dürrenmatt’s text with a special focus on how a problematic cultural pattern like ‘race’ needs to find more attention within the discussion of cultural studies in the field of German as a Foreign Language (GFL). Therefore, the medium of literature is discussed in particular, with respect to the cited example, as a possible transmitter for critical topics and global problems.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ras as ‘n konteks van behoort in die konteks van Duits as ‘n vreemde taal (German as a Foreign Language) – ‘n Kritiese analise van Friedrich Dürrenmatts se Die Virusepidemie in Südafrika Hierdie proefskrif bespreek die kulturele patroon van ras as ‘n konstruksie van die idee van wat ‘behoort’ uitmaak van die kortverhaal van Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Die Virusepidemie in Südafrika (Die virusepidemie in Suid-Afrika). Die paraboliese storie vertel ironies van ‘n virus wat alle 'wit' Suid-Afrikaners in ‘swart’ Suid-Afrikaners tydens die apartheidsregering verander. Raskategorieë word in die gelykenis getoon deur middel van 'n spesifieke manier van vertelling perspektiewe wat ras as ‘n ‘kultureel’ konseptuele kategoriese karakter bewys. Die verhaal speel met ‘belonging’ (behoort) en ‘othering’ (vervreemding), terwyl hulle voortdurend sekere stereotipes aanbied, wat daarop dui dat rassisme en die konstruksie van ‘n ‘nasie’ in Europa en Suid-Afrika nog steeds baie lewendig is. Op grond van postkoloniale teorieë oor ras en rassisme ontleed hierdie proefskrif die Dürrenmatts-teks met ‘n spesiale fokus op hoe ‘n problematiese kulturele patroon soos ras meer aandag moet kry in die bespreking van kulturele studies van Duits as ‘n vreemde taal. Daarom is die medium van literatuur in die besonder beskryf, met betrekking tot die genoemde voorbeeld, as ‘n moontlike sender vir kritieke onderwerpe en globale probleme.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.
Keywords
German literature -- Social aspects, UCTD, Literature and race, Dürrenmatt, Friedrich -- Die Virusepidemie in Südafrika, Race relations -- South Africa, Stereotype (Social psychology) in literature
Citation