* Authenticity and Representation: Achebe aimed to represent the richness and beauty of Igbo language and culture. By incorporating untranslated words, he avoided the limitations of English, which often struggles to capture the nuanced meanings and cultural connotations embedded in Igbo. This helped preserve the authenticity of Igbo identity and avoid the colonial tendency to erase local cultures.
* Immersion and Engagement: The untranslated words served as a linguistic bridge between the reader and the Igbo world. Readers, even those unfamiliar with Igbo, were compelled to engage with the language, creating a more immersive and engaging reading experience. They were forced to confront the limitations of their own language and appreciate the richness of another culture.
* Challenging Colonial Language: Achebe's use of untranslated words was a subtle but powerful act of resistance against the dominance of English as the language of power and authority in post-colonial Africa. By weaving Igbo into his narratives, he asserted the legitimacy and value of indigenous languages, countering the colonial tendency to marginalize them.
* Aesthetic Considerations: The inclusion of untranslated words served an aesthetic function as well. They added a layer of exoticism and beauty to the text, creating a distinct and memorable literary style. The unfamiliar sounds and rhythms of Igbo added a sense of depth and resonance to his prose.
* Symbolism: Certain words often carried symbolic weight. For example, "chi" (personal god) was a recurring motif, representing Igbo spiritual beliefs and contrasting with Western concepts of God. These words functioned as symbols of the cultural divide and the struggle for identity in a post-colonial world.
Ultimately, Achebe's decision to leave certain Igbo words untranslated was a deliberate and strategic choice. It aimed to create a more authentic and enriching literary experience for readers while simultaneously challenging the dominance of colonial language and celebrating the richness of African cultures.