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Subverting the rules of grammar: is Kolaveri di the subalterns' English?

Does the Tamil-English code mixing in a popular song herald a new variety of English?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 May 2013

Rafia Kazim
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Extract

English is a global language, and the fact has been reiterated by various studies conducted both in native and non-native countries. In India, English, since the British era, has dominated the domains of administration, business, higher education, science and technology and mass media. Post-Independence the visibility and functionality of English increased manifold. English is everywhere on the streets: from billboards to hoardings, from advertisements to road signs, English is omnipresent. Even for petty official works in places such as banks, post offices, hospitals, railway stations, bus depots, schools and colleges, English becomes indispensable.

Type
Research Article
Information
English Today , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 27 - 32
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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