Interpretation of language variations in Son Paskal`s speech (data interpretation)

 

Kazakhstan might be a captivating area for variationist sociolinguistics due to its multilingual diversity. One good example is the famous musician Son Paskal`s speech as a representative of a multilingual speaker. It is interestingly to consider the variation of his language choice as well as its influence on his language identity. Qualitative analysis will be helpful to identify the reasons of his language choice and other participants` view of his identity.
This data interpretation is based on the video of the Kazakhstani comedian program “Du gol Shokolad” with the participation of famous musician Son Paskal. Son Paskal is a 27 year old Italian musician who has Italian origin. He had studied in London for 3 years and then moved to Kazakhstan. He is known for such popular song as “Englishman in Shymkent” which is a parody for Sting`s song “Englishman in New York”. Another motivating song “You should speak Kazakhsha” based on a mixed variation of English-Kazakh words in the text. Chosen short video demonstrates the language shifting from Kazakh to English and Russian and vice versa.
According to Labov (2012), under the influence of the social processes the speakers` linguistic habits change and lead to adoption of certain linguistic forms. It is noticeable from this video how Son can use a variety of languages: Russian, Kazakh and English. Obviously, Son Paskal speaks English free but in Kazakh he is not so confident, however, during the interview we can notice how he shifted from the English language to Kazakh and added Russian words. It might be strong indicator that he realizes the importance of all three languages in our country. In such way for the question of the host about his favorite word in Kazakh he answered: “My really really favorite word samyi lutshi kazaksha kanagattandyrmagandyktarynyzdan”. The words “Samyi lutshi” meant “the best” presented in Russian and the word “kazakhsha” meant “in Kazakh” used in Kazakh. In this case we highlight that the variation of 3 languages took place. Additionally, Son Paskal indicated the longest word “kanagattandyrmagandyktarynyzdan” in Kazakh as his favorite and his ability to say it correctly and precisely though it is hard to pronounce even for native speakers. Thus, we see how Kazakhstan`s trilingual language policy might affect the language choice even of foreigners and their ability to realize the importance of speaking Kazakh.
The environment and content play a significant role in language choice. As Ersoy (2017) pointed out the illustration of code switching occurs in the relation to different variables as context, participants and topic. Likewise, hosts of the program were not very well in English. After greeting and introducing Son Paskal a host announced, “Our English is not so good sol, we should speak shala agylshinsha”. Thus, he switched from English to Kazakh by adding words “sol” with the meaning “so” in English and “shala agylshinsha” which meant “not pure English”. In Kazakhstan there are numerous jokes about native Kazakhs who are not able to speak Kazakh purely. That is why the phase “shala-kazakhsha” which regards to the mixture of Russian and Kazakh words is widely used. However, it has more negative connotation as “a wrong language” variation. The speaker used humorous way of new phrase “shala-agylshinsha” as it was the comedian program. The program is conducted only in Kazakh but this time the hosts asked almost all questions in English, but some words were shifted to Kazakh.
Another interesting issue is how Kazakh people perceive foreigners` identities who can speak Kazakh. The host asked Paskal “If you are from Italy, you are Italian?” Paskal answered as “Zhok, men kazakpyn, myn olip myn tirilgen”. The phrase which he chose is in Kazakh and its translation is “No, I am Kazakh, dying and rising thousands of times”. These lines are from the poem of outstanding Kazakh enlightener Zhuban Moldagaliev emphasizing the strength of Kazakh identity. In other words, the learning and using Kazakh in his everyday life and music experience have changed his language identity towards Kazakh. Noticeably, the hosts` reacted positively showing their appreciation of his choice. Furthermore, Paskal several times used word “zema” and “brat” which were youth slang devoting “person is from the same hometown as you” and “male friend who are very close to you”. The following words have Russian origin but widely used in the Kazakh language particularly among young generation. As the interviewers and the interviewee represented young generation they used relevant slang. We considered language variations changed in the frameworks of content, participants and topic.
To sum up, languages are closely tied to each other particularly when they exist within one country. Multilingual people choose particular words or expressions in different languages due to a variety reasons depending on the environment, interlocutors and intentions. Personally, I believe that this was a good example of tolerance which exists in our country. Speakers show the respect towards each other’s language: hosts tried to speak English but that was not their native language as well as it was not even the language in which they usually lead the program. Their guest also showed that he can speak Kazakh and that he is very curious about it.
References
Ersoy, H. (2017). Code-switching among languages: the instance of Bashkir literary language. Journal of Dil Arastizmalari. 2161(77), 61-77. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.nu.edu.kz
Labov, W. (2012). The social stratification of English in New-York City. Cambridge [UK]. Cambridge University Press.
“Son Paskal. Shala-agylshinsha interview. Du Gol Shokolad”. YouTube, uploaded by Marat Oralgazin, 30 October 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lQX2OcGcXo