This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On a recent evening, at the launch of FEMRITE's latest publication, Go Tell Home, a collection of verse, I was asked a question that has puzzled me for a while: 'In what language do you dream?'
Published on July 20, 2019, the question was raised by Prof Timothy Wangusa's congratulations to the FEMRITE Publications on their affording us the opportunity to publish in our first languages, the 'languages in which we dream'. This reminded me of Mzee Ngugi's approach to writing in his native language.
As a writer who has been fortunate enough to publish in multiple languages, including English, Luganda, and Kiswahili, I have often found myself pondering this question. My answer is now consistently that it depends on what I am dreaming about. I recall a childhood dream in which I was definitely speaking Luganda, and my latest remembered dream was in Kiswahili, a bit of a nightmare.
Writing in multiple languages has been a challenge for me, but it has also been a rewarding experience. I have come to realize that language is a powerful tool that can evoke emotions, create connections, and convey complex ideas. As a writer, I strive to use language in a way that is authentic, expressive, and engaging.
