ABSTRACT |
Code-switching in Sandra Cisneros’ collection of short stories, entitled
Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories is very subtle, maybe
contrary to what could be expected from a Chicana writer and the Chicano
movement defending a mixed linguistic identity based on Spanish and
English (cf. Martín Rodríguez, 1994). In this paper, I will explore the
reasons for her major use of English, and the functions underlying her
spare instances of Spanish. My analysis will show how this subtle use of
Spanish is, nevertheless, very effective in creating a backdrop for her
Latino characters and evoking in particular a whole universe of female
Mexican-American characters, their troubles, their cultural heritage,
their oppressive environment. Code-switching is used as a stylistic and
symbolic strategy which avoids distracting the reader or obstructing
communication. In this way, Sandra Cisneros succeeds in attracting a
large target audience of American readers. Not irrelevant is the fact
that she has been the first Chicana writer to receive a major publishing
contract (for the present collection), after the editorial success of
The House on Mango Street. Therefore, this paper will attest to the
narrative skill within the confines of this literary genre of this great
contemporary writer.
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