Blended Lexicons and Hybrid Tongues: Tracing Linguistic Innovation in Indian English Literature

This paper dwells upon the complex phenomenon of the evolution of the English language in the context of Indian literature, presenting a detailed discussion of how Indian writers have creatively appropriated and Indianized English to suit their indigenous cultural and socio-political exigencies. It delves into the ways by which English, a language which was imposed on the colony, has been 'monkeyed' and transformed into an authentic medium of expression. At the heart of this transformation are a set of linguistic innovations—code-mixing, semantic reassignments, syntactic play, and the use of regional idioms—that give writers a way to mirror the diverse and textured reality of Indian experience. Through an examination of the works of some eminent Indian English writers, the research demonstrates how these writers reject English grammar as it is otherwise written, and establish what amounts to an Indian accent in literature. Such recourse to mixed lexicons or hybrid tongues is not only the reflection of local realities but also a form of reclaiming linguistic agency in a postcolonial world. The paper claims that such linguistic creative practice is not mere stylistic exotica, but rather lies at the heart of identity empowerment, prevention of linguistic imperialism, and the telling of authentic life stories. The study, in the end, suggests that Indian English literature is not static but a pulsating and changing phenomenon in the scheme of world literature. By constantly testing the limits of the language, it both redefines the limits of English and enriches the literature of the world. And this continued evolution proves that Indian English writing has more than stood its ground, is a wonderful example of how language adapts and always remains at the centre of cultural self-expression.