Farewell to Living without Identity

This chapter examines the literature on identity, multiple/imagined identities, hybridity, social identity, etc., and sheds light on the identity reconstruction of non-elites as a result of the acquisition of English. We contend that without fluency in English, an educated identity, and being respected, is a near impossibility in South Asia and provide evidence from the lived experiences of non-elites. English changes the self-view of Subalterns and infuses their identities with confidence empowering them to better negotiate demeaning class structures and hurdles. We shed light on what it means to be “Hindi-Medium,” “Urdu-medium,” etc., and how no one listens when one speaks in the vernacular. We discuss and present evidence that English strengthens the ability of non-elites to say “no” and to stand up for themselves. Literature on Subalternity posits that being Subaltern is a position “without identity.” We argue that English allows Subalterns to move from this position of no-identity to a position where their identities are recognized and acknowledged, and even celebrated.