Intercultural Linguistic Borders, Stereotypes and Representations in Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie Ngozie Adichie: A Sociolinguistics perspective

Djoko Sutrisno*, Muhammad Rafiek, Ratna Rintaningrum, Nani Darheni, Herianah Herianah, Martina Martina, Faizal Risdianto, Abdul Asis, Nanda Saputra, Herman Herman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examines Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Americanah in which, any language form that has been "hybridized" or "infected" by local traditions is viewed with great suspicion. The study focuses on differentiation as a form of symbolic capital used by the powerful to enforce their values of taste, gender status, and progress. There is a widespread belief that one must earn legitimacy, authenticity, and recognition at home and abroad by acquiring the forms of capital represented by one's colonial socio-cultural and linguistic past through means such as imitation, appropriation, and formal education. However, often, the foreign is worshipped as a godlike sign of achievement, while the native is typically demonized as a symbol of backwardness. This paper thus analyzes this novel in terms of its intercultural representation, use of language and the difficulties associated with learning a new language. It employs a Sociolinguistics perspective and deconstructs the meanings associated with the story: its characters and the episodes through which the novel unfolds. The findings show that, the novel's discussion of language serves as a metaphor for its exploration of a variety of identities and representations. These are also the major themes, employed by the novel.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)421-436
Number of pages16
JournalISVS E-journal
Volume10
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Accent
  • Authenticity
  • Distinction
  • Identity
  • Intercultural
  • Prejudice
  • Representation
  • Self-Denial
  • Self-Reinvention

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