Borrowings in Sri Lankan English Novels: An Analysis of Types and Functions

The present research investigates the types of linguistic borrowings used in Sri Lankan English (SLE) novels and their role in shaping linguistic and cultural identity. As a distinct postcolonial variety of English, SLE has evolved through continuous interactions with Sinhala and Tamil, embodying a dynamic blend of linguistic influences that highlight Sri Lanka’s multi lingual and multi cultural context. This study closely examines the use of borrowings in three Gratiaen Prize-winning novels: The Jam Fruit Tree by Carl Muller, The Road from Elephant Pass by Nihal De Silva, and Playing Pillow Politics at MGK by Lal Medawattegedera. Employing a qualitative content analysis framework, the borrowings in these novels are categorized into three primary types: loanwords, loan blends, and loan shifts. Loanwords frequently represent culturally specific items, practices, and concepts within the narrative, grounding the stories firmly within a Sri Lankan setting and allowing readers to engage with the cultural specificity of SLE. Loan blends, which combine English with local language elements, facilitate the expression of nuanced cultural concepts, making these terms more accessible to Sri Lankan readers while preserving local meaning. Although less frequent, loan shifts adapt idiomatic expressions and metaphors from Sinhala and Tamil, preserving their cultural significance while integrating them into English. The study concludes that these borrowings significantly enrich the authenticity and cultural relevance of SLE literature, highlighting the hybridity and adaptability of SLE within the broader framework of postcolonial Englishes and reflecting its unique position in the evolving landscape of World Englishes. Keywords: Sri Lankan English; borrowings; Loan Words and Blends; Multilingualism; Cultural Identity