Fanakalo as a trade language in Kwazulu-Natal

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the use of the pidgin Fanakalo as a trade language in ruralKwaZulu-Natal: its birth under certain historical circumstances; its spread; itsapparent growth, post-1990, as new immigrants continue to enter the country andacquire and use Fanakalo out of expediency; and the reasons why Fanakalocontinues to thrive in certain contexts. It focuses specifically on similarities betweenthe relations between Gujarati traders and their customers in the 19th century andthe relations that exist between Gujarati and Pakistani traders and their Zuluspeakingcustomers today. Data was collected primarily through semi-structuredinterviews with nine Gujarati traders – two born in South Africa and the othersrecent immigrants – five Pakistani traders and ten Zulu speakers, of which two wereemployees of traders while the others were customers. The results of the dataanalysis suggest the principles of expediency and non-intimacy may provide a spacewhere Fanakalo can continue to flourish. Pidgins are a neglected element in thestudy of intercultural communication and the study endeavours to provide pointersfor further research in this field.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University