Glossing in Sara Suleri's Meatless Days (1989): A Postcolonial Perspective

Abstract

This paper examines the strategy of glossing employed by Sara Suleri in her novel Meatless Days (1989) as a means of language appropriation that expresses her ethnic identity and resists colonial linguistic dominance. Despite existing scholarship on postcolonial literature, there is a lack of understanding regarding how Suleri’s use of glossing—incorporating indigenous language into English text—serves as a tool for asserting her cultural identity. Using Ashcroft et al.’s (2003) theoretical model of language appropriation, this research investigates how Suleri challenges foreign cultural hegemony and reclaims her voice against the dominance of English. Employing a qualitative approach, the study analyzes character conversations in their natural context, focusing on three glossing techniques: interlinear, bracketed, and abbreviated glossing. The findings reveal that these strategies effectively bridge the gap between Pakistani culture and English-speaking readers, preserving cultural significance while ensuring accessibility. The paper illustrates how Suleri’s glossing techniques balance cultural preservation with the blending of languages and identities, highlighting the complexities of postcolonial narratives.