JAMB Literature Elizabeth L.A. Kamara: New Tongue. “New Tongue” is a reflective and critical poem that explores cultural displacement, generational division, and the gradual abandonment of African identity. The poem is not merely about language; it is about what language represents — culture, heritage, worldview, and collective identity.
Kamara, a Sierra Leonean poet and academic associated with Fourah Bay College, writes from deep awareness of African history, colonial experience, and globalization. Her work often examines the tension between tradition and modernity.
This analysis is structured to help students understand:
- The narrative summary
- Themes
- Setting and subject matter
- Narrative techniques
- Poetic devices
- Tone and mood
- Overall message
Everything is explained clearly for examination purposes.
JAMB Literature Elizabeth L.A. Kamara: New Tongue
They speak in a new tongue
And dance new dances
Minds battered into new modes and shapes
Their eyes revel in the wonder of the new
Embraced and bound hearts with impregnable chains
The old songs as disregarded dreams
Remnants of a past.
Ties of family and friendship
Loosened, broken, burnt
The ashes strewn into the bottomless sea
As fishes swim by
Careless of the loss
Mindful of where they dare
A new generation
Careless of bonds
Of family
Of tradition
Of heritage
They care not
Nor revere the old
Their minds turn inwards
Only inwards
Like the insides of clothes
That marry the bodies of mankind
No room for elders
No,
Not even on the edge of their minds
Their ears blocked to the old tongue
And ways of doing things
Glorying in their newness of a borrowed tongue and culture
Every man
For himself
By himself
Of himself
A strange coldness descending like snow-covered mountain
Or like bathing at the back of the house
On a rainy July day
The gusts of wind falling trees
Carting roofs away
Tugging skirts
And swirling debris in the air
The borrowed shoes dance
Their borrowed minds parted the Red Sea long ago
They hang the last lock on their culture
And glide into the future
Without a backward glance.
Summary of the Poem New Tongue
The poem presents a speaker observing a “new generation” that has abandoned its cultural roots in favour of foreign language, customs, and values.
At the beginning, the poet describes how this generation now “speaks in a new tongue” and performs “new dances.” These expressions symbolize the adoption of foreign culture. Their minds have been reshaped — “battered into new modes and shapes” — suggesting forceful or aggressive transformation.
The younger generation is fascinated by modernity. They reject “old songs” and traditional bonds. Family ties are “loosened, broken, burnt,” and cultural memories are reduced to ashes thrown into the sea. The imagery suggests irreversibility.
The poet continues by describing their individualism: “Every man / For himself / By himself / Of himself.” This sharply contrasts with traditional African communal living.
A “strange coldness” descends — symbolizing emotional detachment. The borrowed culture is compared to borrowed shoes and borrowed minds. The generation locks away its culture permanently and moves forward without regret.
The poem ends on a disturbing note: they “glide into the future / Without a backward glance.” There is no nostalgia, no reflection, no honour for the past.
The speaker’s voice is observant, critical, and mournful.
Setting of the Poem New Tongue
The poem does not describe a specific geographical place. Instead, its setting is cultural and generational.
There are two implied settings:
The Past
A time when:
- Elders were respected.
- Family ties were strong.
- Cultural heritage was valued.
- Indigenous language shaped identity.
The Present
A modern African society influenced by:
- Western language.
- Foreign ideologies.
- Individualism.
- Cultural imitation.
The poem is set within post-colonial African reality, where globalization and Westernization are reshaping identity.
Subject Matter
The central subject of the poem is cultural transformation and identity loss.
The “new tongue” represents:
- Foreign language.
- Colonial influence.
- Western identity.
- Cultural imitation.
The poem argues that adopting foreign culture has led to:
- Breakdown of family bonds.
- Disrespect for elders.
- Rise of selfish individualism.
- Emotional coldness.
- Loss of heritage.
This is not simply about language change. It is about psychological and social transformation.
Major Themes Explained
(a) Cultural Displacement and Loss of Identity
The most dominant theme is cultural loss. The old traditions are described as “disregarded dreams.” Cultural memory is treated like ashes thrown into the sea — irretrievable.
The image of “borrowed shoes” suggests imitation rather than authenticity.
The poem suggests that the new generation is living someone else’s identity.
(b) Generational Conflict
There is a sharp division between old and young.
The younger generation:
- Has “no room for elders.”
- Blocks its ears to traditional wisdom.
- Dismisses the old ways as irrelevant.
This reflects tension between tradition and modernity.
(c) Individualism vs Communalism
Traditional African societies emphasize community.
However, the poem presents a shift to extreme individualism:
“Every man / For himself / By himself / Of himself.”
This reflects Western capitalist ideology replacing communal African values.
(d) Alienation and Emotional Coldness
The metaphor of “a strange coldness descending like snow-covered mountain” reflects emotional detachment.
Snow is foreign to tropical Africa. This suggests alien culture has brought emotional frost into warm communal life.
(e) Colonial and Global Influence
Though colonialism is not directly mentioned, the “borrowed tongue” clearly suggests colonial language (e.g., English, French).
The poem criticizes blind imitation of foreign civilization at the expense of indigenous identity.
Narrative Techniques In The Poem New Tongue
(a) Observational Voice
The poem is written in third-person narration. The speaker observes and comments rather than participates. This creates critical distance.
(b) Progressive Development
The poem moves from description to condemnation. It begins with simple cultural change and ends with total abandonment.
This progression mirrors the gradual erosion of identity.
(c) Free Verse Structure
The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme. It uses free verse. This modern structure reflects the instability and disruption being described.
(d) Repetition for Emphasis
The repetition of “inwards” and “Every man / For himself…” reinforces selfishness and emotional withdrawal.
Poetic Devices In The Poem New Tongue
(a) Metaphor
“New tongue” → symbolizes foreign language and identity.
“Borrowed shoes dance” → symbolizes imitation of foreign culture.
“Their minds turn inwards like the insides of clothes” → suggests self-absorption and inwardness.
(b) Imagery
The poem uses vivid imagery:
“Ashes strewn into the bottomless sea” → irreversible cultural destruction.
“Snow-covered mountain” → coldness and alienation.
“Gusts of wind falling trees” → destructive force of cultural change.
Imagery makes abstract cultural loss feel physical and visual.
(c) Symbolism
“Lock” → final abandonment of tradition.
“Tongue” → language and identity.
“Sea” → depth and irreversibility.
“Shoes” → external appearance and imitation.
(d) Simile
“Like the insides of clothes”
“Like snow-covered mountain”
Similes help readers visualize emotional states.
(e) Repetition
“Every man / For himself / By himself / Of himself.”
This emphasizes extreme individualism.
(f) Contrast
The poem contrasts:
Old vs New
Tradition vs Modernity
Warmth vs Coldness
Community vs Individualism
Contrast strengthens the message of loss.
7. Tone and Mood
Tone
The tone is:
- Regretful
- Critical
- Reflective
- Disappointed
The speaker does not shout angrily but expresses deep sorrow.
Mood
The mood created in readers is:
- Gloomy
- Nostalgic
- Reflective
- Disturbing
Readers feel the weight of irreversible cultural change.
8. Language and Diction
The language is simple but symbolically rich.
Words like:
- “Borrowed”
- “Burnt”
- “Coldness”
- “Lock”
create emotional heaviness.
The diction is modern and accessible, making the poem easy to understand but deep in meaning.
