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Published
01.05.2022
Section
Research Articles
How to Cite
Re-reading Indira Parthasarathy’s Kuruthi Punal from a Bilingual Perspective
T. Mangaiyarkarasi
Research Scholar, PG & Research Department of English, Holy Cross College (Autonomous) Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Trichy
Dr Mary Jayanthi
Research Advisor, Assistant Professor, PG & Research Department of English, Holy Cross College (Autonomous) Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Trichy
Keywords: Bilingualism, Elite and folk bilinguals, language nuances, communicating tool, language identity
Abstract
Indira Parthasarathy has included the English language in the awardwinning Tamil novel Kuruthi Punal (1975) to capture the thought process and complexities of the characters. This article demonstrates how Indira Parthasarathy has used English in a Tamil novel without amalgamating the two languages and retained the identities of both languages separately. He has gilded English words, expressions, and dialogues into the novel to fit the context and made it appear quite natural and realistic. The writer’s inclusion of bilingualism in the novel is meticulously calibrated to serve the purpose to understand the motifs of the characters and the theme of the novel. Kuruthi Punal is one of the earliest examples of how a postcolonial writer can unify two significant influences on their lives revealing to the readers the connections Indians make between their native language and the acquired one—to exhibit a harmonious blend of culture. The scope of the article is restricted only to the language facets and does not delve into the thematic aspects.
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