The Scope of Code-mixing in Tony D’Souza’s Whiteman

Abstract

In the context of globalization, which applies as much to individuals as to their cultures, civilizations and inventions, several issues are at stake, not least of which is culture. Languages are an integral part of culture, and are at the center of the debate, as their essence and even existence are often in jeopardy as some are almost swallowed up by others. Thus, in Tony D'SOUZA's Whiteman, a novel written by an American who lived in the northern region of Côte d'Ivoire, cultural and therefore linguistic interrelations are set in motion. The aim of this work is not only to analyze linguistic cohabitation in Tony D'SOUZA's work, but also to study the mechanisms whereby local languages, in this case Malinké and Peulh, can be perpetuated. From a postmodern perspective that is characterized by “an eclectic approach, [by a liking for] aleatory writing, [and for] parody and pastiche” (Barry, 2002, p. 62), and by means of an argumentative approach, we will attempt to highlight the mechanisms and/or social factors explaining linguistic variation (code-mixing) in the verbal production of several main characters.