ENGLISH AS SOCIAL CAPITAL: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF LINGUISTIC IDENTITY, GENDER, AND SOCIAL HIERARCHY IN ENGLISH VINGLISH (2012)

Abstract

This study analyzes the social and linguistic capital of English in the film English Vinglish (2012) directed by Gauri Shinde critically, especially in the contexts of linguistic identity, gender and social class. The study takes a qualitative research approach and adopts Fairclough's Three-Dimensional Model of Critical Discourse Analysis coupled with Bourdieu's idea of linguistic capital to explore the role of language in relation to power and social recognition. Three levels of analysis, namely textual analysis, discursive practice and social practice, of the selected dialogues from the film are analyzed. Findings indicate that English is built as an elite language that has the connotations of intelligence, education, modernity, class and social mobility. The analysis also shows how Shashi's restricted command of English aids to the development of a linguistically subordinal identity, and how she slowly gains command of English to negotiate and reconstruct that identity. The results also reveal a relationship between linguistic hierarchy and gendered power dynamics, as the value of women's domestic work and of English-speaking proficiency are not accorded the same value. But English is shown to be both limiting and liberating; it is a tool that is used to push Shashi to the margins and then through which she gains discursive authority, confidence, and dignity. The study suggests that the film depicts language as a site of contestation, social reproduction, social negotiation and social challenge.