Abstract

SENEKAL, Burgert. Delineating the core of the Afrikaans poetry system (2000-2022). Tydskr. letterkd. [online]. 2024, vol.61, n.2, pp.1-13. ISSN 2309-9070.  https://doi.org/10.17159/tl.v61i2.16970.

A core/periphery structure is a concept often used in various disciplines to examine the structure of different systems. In the study of Afrikaans literature, this structural facet is also a well-known topic and one that has already been written about extensively. It is generally assumed that actors within the core of a system are more important, authoritative, established and stable, while actors on the periphery often fulfill less important roles, are more dynamic and are also often newcomers. However, the question arises how it can be determined scientifically which role players function within the core of the system, and how the core can be demarcated. In this article, a network analysis of the contemporary Afrikaans poetry system is undertaken, and with the help of network concepts such as the k-core and eccentricity, it is shown how and where the core and the absolute core of the Afrikaans poetry system can be delineated. This approach provides an objective and scientific way to examine the structure of the poetry system. As such, the study connects to previous studies of the Afrikaans poetry system as a system and as a network, but the current study applies new criteria to a new data set and delineates the core of this system.

Keywords : Afrikaans literature; Afrikaans poetry; eccentricity; k-core; core/periphery structure; network theory; polysystem theory.

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