Fanakalo as a trade language in Kwazulu-Natal

Abstract

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the use of the pidgin Fanakalo as a trade language in rural \nKwaZulu-Natal: its birth under certain historical circumstances; its spread; its \napparent growth, post-1990, as new immigrants continue to enter the country and \nacquire and use Fanakalo out of expediency; and the reasons why Fanakalo \ncontinues to thrive in certain contexts. It focuses specifically on similarities between \nthe relations between Gujarati traders and their customers in the 19th century and \nthe relations that exist between Gujarati and Pakistani traders and their Zuluspeaking \ncustomers today. Data was collected primarily through semi-structured \ninterviews with nine Gujarati traders – two born in South Africa and the others \nrecent immigrants – five Pakistani traders and ten Zulu speakers, of which two were \nemployees of traders while the others were customers. The results of the data \nanalysis suggest the principles of expediency and non-intimacy may provide a space \nwhere Fanakalo can continue to flourish. Pidgins are a neglected element in the \nstudy of intercultural communication and the study endeavours to provide pointers \nfor further research in this field.

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