Ambiguity in Twilight in Delhi by Ahmad Ali: A Pragmatic Study of Lexical and Semantic Ambiguity in Postcolonial Discourse

Abstract

In this research paper, we explored how Ahmad Ali used lexical and semantic ambiguity in Twilight in Delhi, focusing closely on how ambiguity functions as an intentional stylistic and communicative strategy within a postcolonial context to show life under British rule. The novel portrays Indo-Muslim society during the decline of Mughal influence and the rise of British colonial rule. We found that, by blending English narration with Urdu vocabulary rooted in local culture, hybrid expressions, and symbolic imagery, the text generates multiple layers of meaning. We adopted a qualitative research design to analyse textual excerpts from selected dialogues and narrative descriptions closely. The theoretical framework is based on H. P. Grice's Cooperative Principle, particularly the Maxim of Manner, which emphasizes clarity and the avoidance of ambiguity. The analysis shows that the novel often flouts this maxim through indirect phrases, culturally rich terms, and figurative narration. Our findings revealed that lexical ambiguity arises mainly from untranslated Urdu terms and localised English expressions, whereas semantic ambiguity arises through metaphorical descriptions and narrative breaks. Our research paper concludes that ambiguity in Twilight in Delhi is a purposeful narrative device that reflects cultural hybridity, identity shifts, and resistance to colonial influence, and we request readers to draw on contextual inference and cultural knowledge for a deeper understanding.