Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal

ABSTRACT

The linguistic phenomenon of Hinglish, a blend of Hindi and English, has gained widespread prevalence in India as a result of the interplay between these two languages within diverse sociocultural environments. The emergence of Hinglish, a linguistic fusion of Hindi and English, has garnered significant attention, especially within contemporary Indian literature, as it serves to portray the diverse and dynamic multicultural fabric of Indian society. The objective of this academic article is to offer a thorough examination of the linguistic characteristics of Hinglish, a fusion of Hindi and English, as manifested in present-day Indian literary works. This academic article critically examines direct quotations and references from a range of literary works to elucidate the evolution, significance, and impact of Hinglish on language, culture, and identity in India. Utilizing a wide array of empirical evidence and scholarly investigation, the present study offers significant contributions to understanding the intricate linguistic milieu of Hinglish within contemporary Indian literature. The article’s objective is to furnish a comprehensive examination of the linguistic traits of Hinglish, a linguistic amalgamation resulting from the fusion of Hindi and English in the Indian context. This research investigates the incorporation of Hinglish within contemporary Indian literature as a reflection of the diverse and multilingual characteristics of the nation. Through a comprehensive analysis, the study aims to elucidate the evolving role of Hinglish in Indian writing.

Keywords: Hinglish, Language Hybridity, Contemporary Indian Literature, Sociolinguistics, Multilingualism. 

Impact Statement

The phenomenon of Hinglish projects a mixture or fusion of Indian indigenous languages with English. Although English was introduced by British during the British Raj, it gained a new pace and prominence at the time of economic liberalisation and globalization in the 90’s when India opened its markets to foreign companies and countries to invest in. Hence the concept of Hinglish arose as not just as a linguistic diversity but also a cultural phenomenon which became common in present-day India. The linguistic phenomena identified in Hinglish literature shows the distinctive amalgamation of daily Indian life, culture, values and words in British English syntax. 

The manifestation of linguistic fusion in Hinglish literature not only serves as a reflection of the multicultural milieu of India, but also functions as a means of representing the intricately mixed and yet jugadu flavour of contemporary India. We Indians constantly code-switch and code-mix to convey our thoughts bilingually. Similarly, by utilizing linguistic strategies, Hinglish literature breaks and transcends cultural barriers and depicts the Indian mindset. Also, the use of Hinglish reaches a wider readership, thereby enhancing its value as a significant as well as proud prominent addition to contemporary Indian literature. Contemporary Indian literature which uses Hinglish usually sheds light on complex nature and post-colonial language usage in Northern India as it persistently influences local culture, lifestyle and identity.

About Author

Shruti Verma is a Ph.D. researcher. She has contributed significantly to the scholarly community by publishing six papers in prestigious journals, three in UGC CARE LIST, and four in esteemed Scopus indexed journals. Additionally, she has written two book chapters and edited a published book. She has presented research internationally at conferences, seminars, and webinars in India, Russia, and the United States. Shruti Verma has one patent and two patent publications. She has filed for a patent in the UK, showcasing her innovative contributions.