Communication in Our Sister Killjoy by Arna Ata Aidoo

In the novel Our Sister Killjoy, by Ama Ata Aidoo, the problem of communication is addressed, not only between people of different race, but also the problems with the use of English as a language, a language which they have been made slaves to. The problem of communication does appear between people of different race, such as between Marija and Sissie, but the more important concept remains to be that Sissie recognizes that she will never be able to speak freely while speaking a language that is not her own.

When Sissie meets Marija there is immediately a language barrier that they encounter. Marija introduces herself to Sissie, but tells her that she would rather be called by the English version Mary. Sissie responds by telling Marija that her parents gave her the Christian name Mary. Marija seems confused at this and states: " Mary, Mary…and you an African?...But that is a German name!" (24). This conversation not only shows some kind of language barrier, but also a cultural one as well. It is apparent through this conversation that Marija has not encountered many people from foreign places, besides the two Indians that she had met at the supermarket. She seems to not know how to act around Sissie, and she makes the mistake of identifying the name Mary to her German culture, making it seem almost shocking that Sissie, being African, could ever be named such.

Sissie believes that English has enslaved her, "I have only been able to use a language that enslaved me, and therefore, the messengers of my mind always come shackled?" (112). While the first reaction of reading this may be one of disbelief, due to Sissie's already displayed bluntness, it can be understood why she feels this way. Sissie can not express herself in a language that she and her culture calls their own. They are using a language that was taught to them upon colonization. It is a foreign language which Sissie feels was intricately put in to effect and taught so that the Europeans would always be able to have a way to "spy" on the Africans. She knows that there is no amount of secrecy allowed to her while she is speaking English.

The problem of communication in the novel is addressed through many ways. Through Sissie's interactions with people on her trip and also through her own direct statements about language. It is important to Aidoo that the reader comprehends the message that she is trying to convey through Sissie. That the African people need to have a language that is their own, that English can not be taught to them and then used as a tool to keep tabs on them. They do not feel that they identify with English, and Aidoo has taken the responsibility upon herself to communicate this through her novel.