Journal of English Language Teaching

Exploring Vocabulary Innovations as a Tool in Select Indian Writings in English

Prof. Sanjay Arora

Department of English, School of Humanities and Languages, Central University of Rajasthan.

Nitigya Mathur

Research Scholar, Department of English, School of Humanities and Languages, Central University of Rajasthan.

Keywords: Vocabulary Variations, Code-switching, Code-mixing, English Language Teaching, Indian Writing in English

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Abstract

Innovations in vocabulary germinate from a creative writer’s keenness to draw readers’ attention. Different writers, writing in different genres, do that differently. Some use neologisms, others use code-mixing, and native writers like Shakespeare introduce new words. This paper analyses code-mixing and vocabulary variation as a tool used in select Indian writings in English (of Arundhati Roy and Salman Rushdie) and its relevance in English Language Teaching. Historically speaking, Indian Writing in English (IWE) has had an important tendency towards code-mixing as it attempts to cater to non-native, mostly bilingual readers. Vocabulary innovations have significantly generated interest among Indian readers as they can contextualize their respective cultural traditions. Native readers of IWE can get an insight into several local cultural signifiers rooted in India. It is viewed as a significant literary device to domesticate English so that it continues to have a cultural connection. The paper explores the significance of code-mixing and code-switching in teaching fictional works on Indian Writing in English.

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