Question

summary of the poem This Language this womwn by Yasmine Gooneratne

Answer 1

First know date 1971

Answer 2

Answer:This poem was written at the time of the nationalist upsurge in Srilanka to overcome the colonial hangover. Gooneratne is part of the slender minority of 'anglicised ' Sri Lankans who value the language of the colonizer.

Explanation:In this poem the poet takes up the task of defending the English language using woman as a metaphor for English. She cautions the nationalists not to insult her in their ignorance and jealousy at not being able to have her as their mistress despite a brief interlude with her.She defends English by writing in English which had the pride of place as the language of the imperialist in the bygone days of the British Empire. So she advises the nationalists not to insult English with derogatory epithets.

The attitude of Sinhalese towards English is shown by the poet.Most of the Sinhalese treat it with hatred.