The Formation of the Hijra Subject: A Critical Inquiry into the Linguistic Method and Preliminary Postulates for a Political Linguistics
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science - Year 2018, Vol 23, Issue 8
Abstract
Language plays a key role in structuring the lives of Hijra population in India, both as a force of exclusion and as a tool for gaining access to the society. Language is thus a site of struggle for Hijra population, which is interminably political in nature. But the prevailing consensus in Linguistics, excludes politics and struggle from the domain of study of language; rather language is paradigmatically divided into essence and existence, and politics and struggle are isolated as a question only relevant to language's performance. In this paper, I argue that such an approach limits a genuine critical analysis of language, thus consequently protecting language in the work of maintaining status quo. Here, instead of employing the dominant linguistic methods which are uncritical towards the 'essence' of language, I propose postulates for a Political Linguistics which understands language-in-itself as a site of struggle and constant transformation. This approach, I argue is an adequate methodology, not just for the study of Hijra linguistic lives, but also in general, for the study of the relationship between language and society.
Authors and Affiliations
Arpita Kanjilal
Keywords
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- EP ID EP419670
- DOI 10.9790/0837-2308045764.
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