Languages of Minority: Orality, Translation, and Desiring English

By Sowmya Dechamma CC

This study endeavours to understand the construction and perception of minority languages in India from the colonial era to the contemporary period. Through illustrative examples, it seeks to delineate the evolution of orality and writing, the concept of vernacular, and the dynamics of translation, which is essential for a nuanced understanding of a linguistic phenomena. Emphasizing the pivotal role of English, the work challenges conventional perspectives on multilingualism, urging a re-evaluation of the desire for English among minoritized populations. It also addresses diverse axes of power that shape or dismantle linguistic communities. Furthermore, it redefines the relationship between orality, writing, vernacular, and historical contexts in the Indian milieu. By scrutinizing prevalent notions surrounding multilingualism, the book argues that communities that are invested with the power of writing actively construct notions around language and these have certain implications on the languages of the minority, including the ways in which negotiations and resistances emerge.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198908458
• ISBN13: 9780198908456
• Release Date: June 2025
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 192 Pages