Analysis and Interpretation of "His English Is British English, American English, But Mine Is Indian English" by Bijay Kant Dubey In the poem His English Is British English, American English, But Mine
📋 Exam Question
Read the poem 'His English Is British English, American English, But Mine Is Indian English' by the Indian poet Bijay Kant Dubey.
Write a text in which you analyse and interpret the poem. Justify your analysis with examples.
- 'His English Is British English, American English, But Mine Is Indian English' (2014)
- His English is British English, American English,
- But mine is Indian English,
- His is King's Standard, Queen's Standard,
- Impeccable English,
- But mine is a halting speech,
- An Indian rustic learning to speak in English
- After being appointed as a professor of English.
- My English is mine, only mine, Indian English,
- Indian speech and accent,
- Stressing like an Indian language,
- I an Indian,
- But his English American Standard
- And he speaking English like an American.
- Lo, he turned into an American,
- of Massachusetts, Iowa,
- New Jersey, Virginia,
- After emulating them
- And what to talk of myself,
- I remained an Indian,
- Villagerly and countrified!
Reference:
Dubey, B.K. (2014, 20 November). His English Is British English, American English, But Mine Is Indian English. Poem Hunter. https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/his-english-is-british-english-american-english-but-mine-is-indian-english/
✏️ Model Answer
Analysis and Interpretation of "His English Is British English, American English, But Mine Is Indian English" by Bijay Kant Dubey
In the poem His English Is British English, American English, But Mine Is Indian English (2014), Indian poet Bijay Kant Dubey explores the complex relationship between language, identity, and cultural influence. The poem contrasts two distinct forms of English—the standard British and American English—against the speaker’s own Indian English, reflecting the impact of colonial history, globalization, and the persistence of cultural identity. Through the poem, Dubey delves into themes of linguistic superiority, self-identity, and the tension between emulation and authenticity.
Linguistic Superiority and Cultural Hierarchies
The opening lines of the poem set up a sharp contrast between the English spoken by the "other" (the figure of the Westernized individual) and the speaker’s own English, which he identifies as "Indian English." The "his" in the poem refers to someone who speaks "British English, American English," implying a mastery of what are considered the 'standard' or 'superior' forms of English. These varieties of English are often associated with power, prestige, and global influence, as they are spoken in countries like the UK and the US, which have historically played dominant roles in politics, economics, and culture.
The phrase "King's Standard, Queen's Standard" in the second stanza alludes to the regal and formal nature of British English, reinforcing the idea that this form of English represents a higher linguistic standard. This is contrasted sharply with the speaker’s own "halting speech" and "Indian rustic learning to speak in English," reflecting a sense of inferiority or inadequacy in relation to the ‘correct’ forms of English. The speaker seems to acknowledge that while English is a tool of empowerment in India, it is still deeply tied to colonial legacies and Western cultural norms.
The Struggle for Identity in Language …