ON INTIMATE GRAMMARS with Examples from Navajo English, Navlish, and Navajo

Abstract

This article investigates the ways that individuals engage with languages. Building on the work of Elizabeth Povinelli (2006) and Michael Herzfeld (1997), this article argues for the importance of understanding intimate grammars. Intimate grammars are an emotionally saturated use of language that runs the risk of negative evaluation by outsiders (or non-outsiders) but are deeply and expressively feelingful for individuals. Intimate grammars are investigated by way of probing the ways Navajo poets actively engage with Navajo, Navlish, and Navajo English. It is argued that intimate grammars evoke by way of iconicity. In the conclusion, it is argued that intimate grammars allow us to rethink questions of resistance, indexicality, and language shift by focusing on the felt attachment that speakers have with languages.