Vernacular English: Reading the Anglophone in Postcolonial India

Vernacular English argues that literary studies are yet to confront the true political import of the English language in the world today, focusing on experiences of hearing, touching, remembering, speaking, and seeing English in India. It reveals little-known debates and practices that have shaped the meanings of English in India and the Anglophone world, and how low castes and minority ethnic groups have used it to protest the Indian state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Against a backdrop of growing critiques of global English, Vernacular English emerges as a compelling argument that literary studies must grapple with the profound political significance of the English language in the contemporary world. Conducting a comparative analysis spanning three centuries of English literature and media in India, this groundbreaking book presents a unique narrative of English in India, portraying it as a language that has emerged from the collective efforts of a people in a postcolonial democracy rather than as a tool of imperial coercion.

Akshya Saxena, in her insightful exploration, delves into a previously unexplored corpus of texts from English and Hindi literature, law, film, visual art, and public protests. Through her meticulous examination of experiences related to hearing, touching, remembering, speaking, and seeing English, Saxena uncovers hitherto unknown debates and practices that have shaped the meanings of English in India and the Anglophone world. She sheds light on the overlooked history of English legislation in India, highlighting how low castes and minority ethnic groups have consistently employed this elite language to challenge the Indian state.

Vernacular English goes beyond challenging prevailing notions of English as a vernacular and a global lingua franca. It boldly reimagines the very definition of language and the categories employed for its analysis. By foregrounding the voices and experiences of those who have historically been marginalized by the dominant language, Vernacular English offers a fresh perspective on the power dynamics and cultural negotiations inherent in language use.

In conclusion, Vernacular English emerges as a vital contribution to the field of literary studies. Through its comprehensive examination of the historical, social, and political dimensions of English in India, the book challenges prevailing narratives and provides a rich understanding of the complex interplay between language, power, and identity. By advocating for a more inclusive and nuanced approach to language analysis, Vernacular English contributes to our collective understanding of the world and the diverse languages that shape it.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691219981