65 / 152
Identity Politics of South Asian Enclaves
65
to be. Secondly, in addition to the obvious fact that it is
subversively different from the standard language of English in
Britain, Malkani’s “futureproof, timeless” hybrid slang in the novel
is meant not only to serve as the rudeboys’ unique language of
communication, but, more importantly, it reflects how South Asian
youth subculture and ethnic enclave was, still is, and will always be
influenced by the transnational impact of information technology
and popular music and by the local residents’ transnational
connections with their country of origin. Although the desi enclave
in Hounslow may have originally been formed on the common
basis of ethnicity, through the use of hybrid patois, the novel
highlights the incredible diversity of a contemporary multicultural
society under the impact of globalization. That is, living at will in
the enclave, the desis are constantly crossing borders to interact
with others in the home country, the host country, and other
countries and cultures.
III. Conclusion: Hounslowstani or Londonstani
Even though Hounslow is where the desi enclave is located,
instead of entitling his novel “Hounslowstani,” Malkani has carefully
chosen “Londonstani” as the title. This choice is not without
controversy. Many reviewers believe that Hounslow is at best a part of
suburban London, and argue that the novel should not be read as an
urban fiction, as seen in the following review by Sophie Harrison:
“Londonstani” takes place way out west. West of Monica
Ali’s “Brick Lane,” farther west even than Brent, the
location for Zadie Smith’s “White Teeth.” To reach the
London borough of Hounslow, where this similarly hyped
first novel is set, you need to take a Piccadilly Line tube
train from central London and stay on three-quarters of an
hour. Some would argue that by now you’re barely in
London at all, but as a title “Hounslowtani” is a little lack
in bling. (2006: 11)