Abstract:

This paper argues about the processes of negotiating and re constructing identities in Kamila Shamsie’s Burnt Shadows, particularly by the two main characters Hiroko Tanaka, a Japanese language teacher and her son Raza Konrad Ashraf. Drawing on Rushdie’s concept of migrants as translated men and women, imaginary homeland, Diaspora and identity, I aim to see how the cultural identities are shaped and reformed in a transnational dimension through linguistics consciousness, concerning different social and cultural conventions like gender, race, religion and national belonging. I argue that Hiroko Tanaka and Raza Konrad Ashraf are multi-lingual transmigrants who constantly migrate and negotiate their identities through the different languages they know, thus challenging the traditional notions of nation, home, community and sense of belonging; and even then keep their individuality having multi-linguistic abilities. I also take into consideration how these two characters are different from other characters in the novel; and the challenges and conflicts they are faced with during the course of the novel in re shaping their identity.

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