Code Mixing in Beckett's plays
Beckett was a genius and introduced words from other languages in his plays
. Beckett originally wrote in French, and then translated his works into English. So the words of French can be perceived in his plays. Such an incident is found in Waiting for Godot.
VLADIMIR: (first to understand). Oh very good, very very good.
POZZO: (to Estragon). And you sir?
ESTRAGON: Oh tray bong, tray tray tray bong. (68)
ESTRAGON: Que voulez- vous?
VLADIMIR: I beg your pardon. (ibid 95)
At Pozzo's demand of comment on his speech of nature, Vladimir reacts as very good'. And when it is the turn of Estragon in excitement he cannot control himself and speaks out French words tray bong' that are the French version of Vladimir's speech very good'. A little later, he again jumps to French and the sentence means, what can you do?' In the same play, Beckett has used Latin and Irish words. The collaboration of words from different languages renews the lost interest of audience/reader.
VLADIMIR: Let him alone. Can't you see he's thinking about the days when he was happy? (Pause.) Memoria praeteritorum bonorum that must be unpleasant. (ibid 116)
LUCKY: Strides of physical culture the practice of spots such as tennis football running cycling swimming flying floating riding gliding conating camogie skating (ibid 73)
The italic version in first example is in Latin that means memory of past happiness.' Conating' is a word from philosophy meaning endeavour and camogie' is Irish form women's field hockey. The touch of Irish culture is noticeable with his introduction of Irish brands and country names. For example:
POZZO: I've lost my Kapp and Peterson. (ibid 65)
LUCKY: round figures stark naked in the stockinged feet in Connemara in a word for reasons unknown (ibid 74)
Kapp and Peterson' is one of the famous Irish brands of smoking pipe and Connemara' is a country in Ireland. Except this, he has mentioned the mountain range Ardennes and Lake Como of France and Italy respectively in Endgame. Beckett has also presented how the words are changed according to law. The example of this is noticed in Mr and Mrs Rooney's conversation. Mr Rooney is narrating about what has happened in the train.
MR ROONEY: or Fir as they call it now from Vir Viris I suppose, the V becoming f, in accordance with Grimm's Law. (ATF 35)
Fir' of today is Vir' of past that has changed due to Grimm's Law.
Beckett cannot ignore the importance of old English words. They are used now and then to make his language more effective.
POZZO: It isn't by any chance the place known as the Board? (WFG 116)
Board' is the old English word for stage. Pozzo is remembering the fact that he is performing on the stage before the audience. The use of old English can be seen in other plays too.
MR ROONEY: How to be Happy though married?
MRS ROONEY: No, no, he died, you remember. No connexion. (ATF 38)
The new spelling of connexion' is connection'. The use of old English spelling shows his knowledge about the past works. Some words of Beckett trace us back to Shakespeare as in Eh Joe.
Camera move 5
To crown your labourstill one night Thou fool Thy soul' (204)
Whenever speaking of Joe's elopement from his conscious self Voice uses old English words. Thou' means you' and Thy' stands for yours'. The whole sentence means that Joe is only making fool of himself by driving away from society. This is the point that narrates the many sided talent of Beckett who is a bilingual playwright. His skill does not end here; he has introduced words from philosophy and awakes our memory
to the days of Shakespeare by using old English words.
Code Mixing in Beckett's plays
By: Dr. Nidhi Agrawal
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