Writer: Deon du Plessis (SADiLaR’s English Researcher) – Authentic submit
“I consider that linguistic and cultural hybridity is our id.”[1]
The idea of naturalisation is utilized to individuals who immigrate and combine into a brand new nation to the extent that they’re granted citizenship.[2] Nkonko Kamwangamalu makes use of this framework to explain how (South) African English has been naturalised, in a way of talking; it has come to “bear the burden of the audio system’ cultural expertise” and acts as a “hyperlink language between audio system of assorted languages”.[3]
This high quality of being a hyperlink language is expressed via English bonding collectively audio system who’re ethnically or linguistically various[4] and should not have one other medium of communication in frequent.
The depth of this relationship could also be seen the place:[5]
- indigenous phrases and symbolism are borrowed into English,
- native notions of kinship are expressed via English, the place this may not beforehand have been potential, by creating new phrases to specific such notions,
- idioms and expressions get carried over into English,
- present English phrases get particular, new meanings, and
- particular, African turns of phrase are entrenched within the language.
English has been naturalised in South Africa inside this framework. We want to consider not seeing it as a competitor to its new compatriots, and as a substitute assume the way it can exist alongside these compatriots: the indigenous languages of our land.[6]
Be aware: This submit summarises sure points of prof. Nkonko M. Kamwangamalu’s (2019) paper titled English as a naturalized African language, which was supplied in honour of Braj Kachru in a particular difficulty of the journal World Englishes.
[1] Kachru, Braj B. 1998. English as an Asian language. Hyperlinks and Letters, 5: 105.
[2] Kamwangamalu, Nkonko M. 2019. English as a naturalized African language. World Englishes, 38: p. 116.
[3] Ibid.: p. 115; italicisation added.
[4] Ibid.: p. 117.
[5] Ibid.: p. 119-123
[6] Ibid.: p. 124
