Pidgin as Resistance in Elif Batuman's The Idiot: The Psychology of Power and Acquisition in Selin's ESL Tutoring
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1610.18Keywords:
psycholinguistics, power dynamics, ESL pedagogy, identity formation, language acquisition, critical pedagogyAbstract
This research examines the intersection of psychology and linguistics in Elif Batuman's The Idiot, concentrating on the protagonist Selin Karadag's experiences working as an ESL instructor in a housing complex. Through a detailed analysis of tutoring sessions with students Joaquín and Linda, this study examines the shortcomings of traditional English instruction in a repressive institutional setting. It specifically examines the evolution of language anomalies, such as the expression "Papel iss blonk." It claims that the "pidgin" that develops between the student and the tutor is a type of psycholinguistic resistance against the institutional force of authority, in addition to being a failure to learn. Grounded in critical pedagogy and a psycho-narratological perspective, this study examines how Selin's linguistic training conflicts with the reality of teaching, leading to a crisis of intimacy, authority, and self-perception. The findings suggest that learning one's own language is a defensive strategy that addresses the colonial relations present in the process of learning standard English and offers insight into Selin's overall existential crisis in terms of meaning and communication. In contrast to simple grammar, language acquisition is shown in this study to be a complex process of identity, negotiating power, and psychological safety.
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