Hinglish Goes Global: Indian Englishes in Diamesic Variation

The present study aims to explore the heterogeneous nature of Indian society with its powerful linguistic and cultural diversity. In particular, the study argues that IndEs, or ‘Indian English varieties’, rather than being the result of an externally imposed model based on previous colonial arrangements, have been primarily shaped by the typically Indian capacity of networking and communicating through media, literature, trade and the resulting adoption of multiple identities. Although ‘World Englishes’ scholars around the globe have paid little attention to the linguistic and cultural diamesic accommodations, these factors have played a fundamental role in the formation of the linguistic and semiotic features of IndEs both in India and in international contexts. Additionally, this paper presents and examines some multimodal modes and resources employed by Indian English speakers in order to communicate with both their fellows and with the rest of the English-speaking world through different media. To this end, the study will investigate the most recent mediascapes that have helped IndEs go viral furthering the complex process of ‘Indianization of English’ via diamesic change strategies.