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VOL. 12, ISSUE 1 (2026)
A Vernacular Manifesto: Decolonising the Syllabus, the Shelf, and the Soul
Authors
Dr. Promila
Abstract
Literature in Indian languages is increasingly reshaping the global
literary field by challenging the long-standing hegemony of Anglophone canons.
This linguistic asymmetry has deep historical roots; colonial education
policies systematically elevated English and select standardised vernaculars
while marginalising Adivasi, Dalit, and oral traditions. Drawing on theories of
linguistic imperialism, language ecology, and epistemic justice, this study
elucidates how these hierarchies entrenched the perception of regional
languages as culturally inferior. However, recent developments indicate a
significant paradigm shift. The unprecedented international acclaim for writers
such as Geetanjali Shree, Perumal Murugan, K. R. Meera, and Banu Mushtaq has
amplified global attention to Bhasha literature. This momentum is further
bolstered by feminist translation networks, archival initiatives such as the
People’s Linguistic Survey of India, and policy reforms advocating
mother-tongue pedagogy. Additionally, digital innovations and a resurgent
regional publishing ecosystem are dismantling traditional gatekeeping
mechanisms. Collectively, these forces presage an emerging multilingual order
in which Indian languages reclaim their visibility, epistemic authority, and
creative autonomy.
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Pages:175-178
How to cite this article:
Dr. Promila "A Vernacular Manifesto: Decolonising the Syllabus, the Shelf, and the Soul". International Journal of English Research, Vol 12, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 175-178
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