South Asian Writers, Latin American Literature, and the Rise of Global English

South Asian literature has been a battleground between local linguistic diversity and English globalization, but Indian and Pakistani writers have traveled to Latin America, forming the vanguard of a new, multilingual world literary order. Their encounters with Latin America have shaped the way in which literature written in English from South Asia exploded into popularity from the 1980s until the mid-2000s, enabling its global visibility.

Format: Hardback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Since T.B. Macaulay's 1835 assertion that a single shelf of a good European library was worth the entire native literature of India, South Asian literature has been seen as the imagined battleground between local linguistic diversity and the rapidly globalizing English language. In response to this ongoing debate, Indian and Pakistani writers took an unexpected turn by journeying to Latin America. This cohort of authors includes Latin-American Nobel laureates Pablo Neruda and Octavio Paz, as well as Booker Prize notables Salman Rushdie, Anita Desai, Mohammed Hanif, and Mohsin Hamid. Through their explorations of this new geographic connection, Roanne Kantor argues that they formed the vanguard of a new, multilingual world literary order. Their encounters with Latin America had a profound impact on the way in which literature written in English from South Asia gained popularity from the 1980s to the mid-2000s, enabling it to reach a global audience.

Background:
The historical relationship between South Asian literature and English has been complex and multifaceted. While English has been the dominant language of education, commerce, and government in South Asia for centuries, it has also been a source of cultural imperialism and domination. The arrival of British colonialism in the 19th century brought with it the imposition of English as the official language, which led to the marginalization of local languages and cultures.

The Accusation:
In 1835, T.B. Macaulay, a British colonial official, made a controversial statement that has come to be known as the "single shelf" argument. He claimed that a single shelf of a good European library was worth the entire native literature of India. This statement not only highlighted the cultural inferiority of Indian literature but also perpetuated the notion that English was the superior language and culture.

The Response:
In response to Macaulay's accusation, Indian and Pakistani writers took a different path. They began to explore the connections between their cultures and those of Latin America, a region that had been largely ignored by South Asian literature. This exploration led to a new wave of literature that blended South Asian and Latin American themes, styles, and languages.

The Latin American Connection:
The Latin American connection was facilitated by the rise of globalization and the increasing interconnectedness of the world. Indian and Pakistani writers traveled to Latin America, attended conferences, and collaborated with Latin American authors. This exchange of ideas and cultures led to the formation of a new literary genre that blurred the boundaries between South Asian and Latin American literature.

The Impact:
The impact of the Indian and Pakistani writers' exploration of Latin America was significant. Their encounters with Latin American literature and culture led to a renewed sense of cultural pride and identity among South Asian writers. It also challenged the notion that English was the only language capable of expressing the complexities of South Asian culture.

The Global Visibility:
The Indian and Pakistani writers' exploration of Latin America also led to the global visibility of South Asian literature. Their works were translated into multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and were published in various countries around the world. This increased exposure helped to promote South Asian literature and culture to a wider audience.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Indian and Pakistani writers' exploration of Latin America has been a significant milestone in the history of South Asian literature. It has challenged the notion of cultural superiority and dominance, promoted cultural exchange and collaboration, and helped to increase the global visibility of South Asian literature. The legacy of this exploration continues to inspire and influence contemporary South Asian writers and artists.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 237 x 159 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316510797
Edition number: New ed