Literature in South Africa: suggestions for systemic research

Abstract

At present literary evolution and the characteristics of literary systems are generally being investigated in an outdated fashion, as the result of the simplification of complex relation­ships. It is proposed that a systems approach be used in the study of the structures of, and relationships between, literatures and especially that norms and models be identified. Literature in South Africa is seen as a test case for a truly comparative approach. Autono­mous, peripheral and complex systems are described, and it is suggested that a literary situation such as that in South Africa be approached in this way.

Opsomming
Navorsing wat tans oor literere ontwikkeling en die kenmerke van literere sisteme onder­neem word, geskied oor die algemeen op 'n verouderde wyse, as gevolg en die manier waarop komplekse verhoudings vereenvoudig word. 'n Sisteembenadering word voorge­stel by die studie van die strukture en verhoudings tussen letterkundes. Aandag word veral gegee aan die identifikasie van norme en modelle. Die letterkunde in Suid-Afrika word gesien as 'n toetssaak vir 'n werklik vergelykende benadering. Selfstandige, periferale en komplekse sisteme word beskryf en daar word voorgestel dat 'n literere situasie, soos die letterkunde in Suid-Afrika, op hierdie wyse benader word.