A Medium of Shakti: Metaphorical Constructs of World Englishes

Abstract

This paper discusses four metaphors that capture cultural, social, literary, ideological, and creative constructs of the English language — primarily as a medium of power, shakti. These metaphorical constructs open yet another dimension for our understanding, and indeed interpreting, the reasons for what is called the ‘triumphalism’ associated with English across world cultures. The range of such metaphors is large, and provides a rich resource of sweet-and-sour constructs of the language. The four metaphors here represent only one head of the Hydra-like multiple constructs of world Englishes.