Titles And Subtitles as Foregrounding Techniques in Alain Mabanckou’s <i>Lumiere De Pointe-Noire</i> and <i>le Sanglot de L’homme Noir</i>

Abstract

Titles and subtitles are the names of a work of art and a section of a literary composition identified amongst others as a paratextual element which contributes to the overall thematic, stylistic implication and aesthetics of a work of art. Mabanckou's selected novels in this study have undergone various levels of scrutiny by critics thematically, culturally, and stylistically with respect to aesthetics. However, less attention has been paid to the use of titles and subtitles with their overall effects on meaning projection. Hence, this study investigates the role, nature and functions of titles and sub-titles in Mabanckou's Le sanglot de l’homme noir (Sanglot) and Lumière de Pointe-Noire (Lumière). Close reading is adopted as methodology and means of data collection along with positioning and foregrounding theories as data are subjected to linguistic analysis. The study reveals that subtitles in Sanglot are intertextual, parodied, and a partial reproduction of previous literary works and thematic engagements which culminate in the text's titles. On the other hand, subtitles in Lumière metaphorically give a comprehensive summary of the writer's position on critical thematic issues. The application of the theory of foregrounding highlights the significance of titles whereas positioning theory designates the functions of the linguistic constituent of titles. The study concludes by submitting that titles are highly significant in meaning projection with metaphoric titles acting as a strong positioning tool for authors in the projection and summation of thematic concerns in giving readers a preview of writers' intentions and thematic concerns in contemporary committed literature.