ENGLISH LANGUAGE IDENTITY AND DIASPORIC NEGOTIATIONS: VOICES IN TRANSITION

Abstract

Diasporic experiences have become pivotal in recent studies across the globe Diaspora and migration are historically embedded in the evolution of the English language. The experiences in its migration, mixing and mingling with other languages of the world, which gave rise to the concept of Englishes, reflect similar diasporic experiences such as displacement, diaspora, hybridity, loss of cultural identity and alienation. Hence, this study tends to argue for the triumph of English over the breadth of these challenges a didactic experience. The study adopted a qualitative approach that integrates interpretive thematic analysis of the metaphor of English as a migrant, with Kachru’s Three Circles Model of analysis. It drew from secondary sources to illustrate the experiences of English language in diaspora. The theoretical model of varieties of English by Braj Kachru was used to explain the stages of displacement of English. The findings of the study show that English language encountered the challenges of duality, hybridity, loss of cultural identity, displacement and alienation but with a focus on its ideological agenda which was to conquer other languages, it traversed these challenges; triumphing as “World English”. It accomplished this through its malleable nature. The study recommends that migrants have an agenda and focus more on their agenda. In addition, it recommends malleability to migrants as a tool to transcend diasporic hiccups.