The role of linguistic deviations in Meja Mwangi's striving for the wind

Abstract

The use of one language in a text has become the "conventional" way of communication for most writers and readers. In Striving for the Wind, the interaction of three languages: Kiswahili, Kikuyu and English disrupt a smooth discourse. This is linguistic deviation for "it leaves a gap, as it were, in one's comprehension of the text." (Leech 1969, 61). The Kiswahili and Kikuyu words and expressions "stick out" from the English background. Leech argues that anyone who wishes to investigate the significance and value of a work of art must concentrate on the element of interest and surprise, rather than on the automatic pattern. The main objective of this study was to analyze the artistic significance of these linguistic deviations in developing themes and characters. Stylistics and post colonial approaches to literature have been used to evaluate the role of the deviations in the text. Chapter two analyzes the style of characterization in the novel. The names of characters are considered as deviations as close scrutiny of the names shows that they give a different sense than the literal one. The names are used figuratively and therefore their meaning has been analyzed among other tropes to establish the role they play in character development. Some loans words, expressions, and sayings are fore grounded in the text through repetition and structural parallelism. These fore grounded features have been analyzed to establish what role they play in the text, such as reinforcement, antithesis, and development of characters and themes. Chapter three identifies the ways in which the author deviates from the linguistic norms through loan words, code switched expressions and dialogues, use of Kikuyu and Kiswahili folklore inform of proverbs, witty sayings, idioms, folk songs either in native languages or in literal translation. The study recognizes these linguistic deviations as stylistic devices that the author uses intentionally to give the text a Kenyan identity. The study examines how the theme of conflict between traditional culture and modern culture leads to development of hybrid identity. The study is summarized through a conclusion that highlights the findings of the study. The study has established that, for the author to achieve aesthetic and thematic wholeness, he stylistically deviates from linguistic norms. However, our study is by no means exhaustive. Stylistically, cohesion among the three languages was not analyzed. This is a field that other scholars can explore. Thematically the treatment of women in this text has also not been thoroughly explored.