This paper will discuss the phonetic, phonological and morphophonological features of Indian English and compare them to the speech of the actor Kunal Nayyar in episode four of season three of The Big Bang Theory, called “The Pirate Solution”. I will focus on the standard variety, as defining all the regional variations would exceed the purpose of this paper. Firstly, I will describe the realization of the consonants, monophthongs and diphthongs by IndE speakers examined in contrast to Native English, abbreviated NE. Secondly, morphophonological and prosodic differences will be discussed. The following chapter analyzes the similarities and the dissimilarities between the specified characteristics and the language produced by Nayyar. Finally, I conclude that Nayyar shares many features of standard Indian English, though, he often violates rules. So, his speech becomes similar to NE. Nevertheless, it is still an accurate example of standard IndE.
The American sitcom The Big Bang Theory has been one of the most popular television shows over the last couple of years. The show is set in Pasadena, California, and it portrays the lives of four scientists, who struggle with the challenges of everyday life, and their good-looking neighbor Penny. One of them is the Indian astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali played by the native Indian actor Kunal Nayyar. Typical for him is his authentically sounding Indian English, short IndE. Spoken by 125 million people as a second language, according to the 2001 Census of India figures, IndE represents a fairly new variety of English. Even though, it is only the native language of 200 thousand, it is widely used in India. Intranational communication via books, newspapers, reports, television shows is held in this language. Furthermore, IndE is the main medium of science and technology. This variety is also present in the media of the United States or Great Britain, e.g., in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory. However, there are few studies concerning the representation of IndE in the Western media.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Transcription
- 2 Introduction
- 3 Phonological features of Indian English
- 3.1 The consonants of IndE
- 3.2 The Monophthongs and Diphthongs of IndE
- 3.3 Specific phonological and morphophonological features of IndE
- 3.4 Prosodic features of IndE
- 3.5 Other aspects of connected speech
- 4 Analysis of IndE in The Big Bang Theory
- 4.1 Consonants
- 4.2 Vowels and Diphthongs
- 4.3 Specific phonological and morphophonological features
- 4.4 Prosodic features
- 5 Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the representation of Indian English (IndE) in the television show The Big Bang Theory, specifically focusing on the speech of the character Rajesh Koothrappali. The study compares the phonological features of IndE with those exhibited by the actor portraying the character, Kunal Nayyar. The analysis will explore the similarities and differences, ultimately assessing the accuracy of the portrayal of standard IndE in the show.
- Phonological features of Indian English
- Comparison of IndE with the speech of Kunal Nayyar
- Accuracy of IndE representation in The Big Bang Theory
- Influence of regional variations and education level on IndE
- Consonant and vowel variations in IndE compared to Native English
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
2 Introduction: This chapter introduces the popular American sitcom The Big Bang Theory and focuses on the character Rajesh Koothrappali, whose Indian English (IndE) serves as the primary subject of the study. The chapter highlights the prevalence of IndE, a relatively new English variety spoken by a significant portion of the Indian population and used extensively in various communication mediums. It notes the scarcity of research on IndE portrayal in Western media, establishing the paper's goal of analyzing this specific aspect through an examination of Kunal Nayyar's portrayal of Rajesh in "The Pirate Solution," focusing on standard IndE rather than regional variations for the scope of the paper.
3 Phonological features of Indian English: This chapter delves into the phonological characteristics of IndE, acknowledging the significant regional variations stemming from India's diverse linguistic landscape and the influence of education levels. The chapter establishes a focus on a standard IndE accent, while acknowledging the existence and influence of regional variations. The chapter then proceeds to describe the articulation of consonants and vowels, defining key phonetic concepts like place and manner of articulation and voicing. It further compares and contrasts these features to those of Native English (NE), noting notable distinctions and variations in the realization of consonants, particularly stops and nasals.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Indian English, IndE, The Big Bang Theory, Kunal Nayyar, Phonology, Phonetics, Consonants, Vowels, Morphophonology, Prosody, Regional Variation, Native English, NE, Standard Indian English.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Indian English in "The Big Bang Theory"
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the representation of Indian English (IndE) in the television show The Big Bang Theory, specifically focusing on the speech of the character Rajesh Koothrappali, portrayed by Kunal Nayyar. It compares the phonological features of IndE with Nayyar's portrayal to assess the accuracy of the show's representation of standard IndE.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
The analysis explores the phonological features of Indian English, comparing them to Kunal Nayyar's pronunciation. It investigates the accuracy of the IndE portrayal in The Big Bang Theory, considering the influence of regional variations and education levels on IndE. The study also examines consonant and vowel variations in IndE compared to Native English (NE).
What aspects of Indian English are analyzed?
The analysis covers various phonological aspects of IndE, including consonants, vowels and diphthongs, specific phonological and morphophonological features, and prosodic features. The comparison includes articulatory details (place, manner, voicing) and contrasts with Native English pronunciation.
Which character's speech is analyzed in "The Big Bang Theory"?
The analysis centers on the speech of Rajesh Koothrappali, focusing on his use of Indian English. The study compares his on-screen pronunciation (as portrayed by Kunal Nayyar) to the characteristics of standard Indian English.
What is the scope of the IndE analysis in terms of regional variation?
While acknowledging significant regional variations in IndE, the study primarily focuses on a standard IndE accent to maintain a manageable scope. The influence of regional variations is mentioned, but not the primary focus of the detailed analysis.
What are the key chapters and their content?
The paper includes an introduction outlining the study's aims and context. A chapter on the phonological features of IndE provides background information on consonants and vowels. A chapter analyzing IndE in The Big Bang Theory compares the character's speech to established features of IndE. The paper concludes with a summary of findings.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Indian English, IndE, The Big Bang Theory, Kunal Nayyar, Phonology, Phonetics, Consonants, Vowels, Morphophonology, Prosody, Regional Variation, Native English, NE, Standard Indian English.
What is the overall objective of this research?
The primary objective is to determine the accuracy and level of detail in the portrayal of Indian English in the television series The Big Bang Theory, specifically through the character of Rajesh Koothrappali. This involves a detailed phonetic and phonological comparison.
- Quote paper
- Julia Holleber (Author), 2016, The Representation of Indian English in the Television Show "The Big Bang Theory", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/889174
