Language (Anita and Me)

This section explores the language used in the novel Anita and Me by Meera Syal. Meera Syal’s Anita and Me (1996) is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging, primarily through the lens of Meena, a young British-Asian girl growing up in 1970s Britain. The language used in the novel reflects the richness of Meena’s dual cultural heritage, while also capturing the tensions and humour of her childhood experiences. These notes help you to understand the language techniques in Anita and Me and how they contribute to the novel’s exploration of identity and culture.

First-Person Narrative and Informal Language

The novel is written in the first-person perspective of Meena, which gives readers direct insight into her thoughts and feelings. The language is often informal and conversational, reflecting Meena’s age and the fact that much of the novel is her inner monologue.

Example: “Of course I lied, the way I always lied to keep everyone happy.”

Effect: This informal and direct tone makes Meena relatable and authentic, allowing the reader to connect with her struggles and confusion as she navigates adolescence and her sense of identity. The first-person narrative also helps to create an intimate connection with her, giving insight into her humorous and sometimes sarcastic take on life.

Use of Humour

Humour is a key part of Syal’s writing style, and it’s often used to lighten serious situations or to provide a more nuanced view of the challenges Meena faces. The use of wit and comedic observations reflects the resilience of Meena’s character and makes the novel enjoyable to read despite its deeper themes.

Example: When Meena reflects on her cultural identity, she says: “I was used to being different, never quite fitting in anywhere, my family of five standing out against the pruned hedges and clipped lawns of the Yardley Bush natives like a Bollywood song in the middle of a country-and-western hoedown.”

Effect: This humour helps readers appreciate Meena’s perspective and softens the impact of her feeling out of place. It also provides insight into how Meena uses humour to cope with difficult situations, such as racism and cultural isolation.

Code-Switching and Multilingualism

Throughout the novel, Meena’s Punjabi heritage is woven into the dialogue and narration through the use of Punjabi words and phrases, reflecting her dual cultural identity. Syal uses code-switching (the practice of switching between languages) to demonstrate Meena’s navigation between her family’s traditional Indian culture and the predominantly white British community where she lives.

Example: Meena frequently switches between English and Punjabi, using terms like “baba” (father) and “beta” (child), alongside phrases in Punjabi that are often left untranslated, such as “Khadoos!” (meaning stubborn or rude).

Effect: The use of Punjabi enriches the novel’s cultural setting and illustrates Meena’s struggle to balance the expectations of her Indian upbringing with her desire to fit in with her English peers. It also reflects the reality of life in multicultural Britain, where bilingualism is common among immigrant families.

Dialect and Colloquial Language

Syal captures the authentic voice of the working-class, Midlands village through the use of dialect and colloquial expressions in the dialogue of characters like Anita and her friends. The use of local slang and regional accents helps to establish the setting and emphasises the social differences between Meena’s Indian family and her white working-class neighbours.

Example: Anita’s speech is often peppered with local slang, such as: “Ey up, what’s goin’ on ‘ere then?” or “Nah then, what’s all this?”

Effect: This use of dialect helps to distinguish between the different social groups in the novel and adds authenticity to the characters. It also highlights Meena’s sense of being an outsider, as she is not fully part of either her Indian community or the local British culture, a theme central to the novel.

Contrasts in Language: Meena vs Anita

A noticeable contrast in language style is evident between Meena and Anita, reflecting their different cultural backgrounds, education, and aspirations. Meena’s language is often more reflective and introspective, while Anita’s speech is characterised by a lack of sophistication, mirroring her tougher, more rebellious character.

Example: Meena often contemplates her identity and her place in the world: “I longed for a past that was still warm with the presence of someone I could recognise.” On the other hand, Anita’s speech is much more direct and sometimes crude: “Bloody hell, you’re such a baby.”

Effect: The difference in language between Meena and Anita symbolises the growing distance between them as Meena matures and realises that Anita’s rebellious behaviour is not the path she wants to follow. It also highlights Meena’s internal conflict as she navigates her desire to fit in with Anita and her friends while maintaining her cultural identity.

Symbolism and Imagery

Syal uses symbolic language and imagery to express complex themes such as belonging, identity, and change. Throughout the novel, symbolic moments often reflect Meena’s growth and self-discovery.

Example: The recurring image of the “khichri,” a dish made of rice and lentils that is a mix of ingredients, is symbolic of Meena’s mixed identity, part Indian, part British: “I was a freak of nature, a khichri of conflicting ingredients.”

Effect: This imagery of food and mixed ingredients reflects Meena’s feelings of being a blend of two cultures, never entirely fitting into one or the other. It encapsulates her struggle to define her identity in a way that is authentic to both her heritage and her surroundings.

Use of Contrasts and Juxtaposition

Syal often juxtaposes Meena’s home life with her experiences outside in the village, creating a contrast between the warmth and comfort of her Indian heritage and the harsher realities of trying to fit in with the predominantly white, working-class community.

Example: Meena’s home is described with rich sensory detail, filled with the smells of “frying onions, cumin, and chilli powder,” whereas the village is often portrayed in harsher, more drab terms: “dirty streets,” and “grimy walls.”

Effect: This juxtaposition highlights the cultural divide that Meena experiences and her internal conflict between the safety of home and the desire to belong in a world that feels more foreign to her. It also emphasises the warmth of family life and the strong connection to her Indian heritage.

Racism and Language

Syal addresses racism through both subtle and overt uses of language. At times, racist attitudes are expressed explicitly by characters, and at other times, the language reflects the underlying prejudice Meena and her family face in the village.

Example: The local boys use racial slurs common at the time, while adults, like Mr Ormerod, show more casual racism by making thoughtless remarks about her family: “I thought your lot lived on curry.”

Effect: The use of racist language illustrates the challenges Meena faces as part of an ethnic minority in a predominantly white community. It helps convey the themes of prejudice and discrimination, showing how Meena is made to feel like an outsider because of her race.

The language used in Anita and Me is integral to the novel’s exploration of identity, belonging, and cultural difference. Meera Syal blends humour, dialect, multilingualism, and vivid imagery to bring to life the world of a young girl caught between two cultures. Through the use of informal, conversational tones and regional dialect, she creates an authentic and relatable voice for Meena, while the contrasts in language reflect the broader tensions between characters and cultures. Understanding these language techniques will help in analysing how Syal conveys her themes and character development throughout the novel.