Language

Choice of words

The language in “The Silver Bell” by David Evans reflects the social setting and adds realism. For example, the main character, Mrs Mackenzie, uses English but includes certain South African English words such as "laager" , "kwedini" ”, or "bonsella” in her speech. Lisa also uses the word “koeksusters”, but her Liverpool accent affects her pronunciation (p. 112, ll. 43-44), showing that she is a newcomer to South Africa. The use of an African language – which Mrs Mackenzie suspects to be Zulu – also helps create the realistic setting of the story: “ ‘Ngicela ukukhuluma no Nomathandi Mkize?’ ” (p. 111, ll. 6-7). The fact that the phrase is not translated might be intended to suggest that some white South Africans have failed to make an effort to engage with black South African culture.

The narration is mixed with dialogue, and the distinction between the two is marked through quotation marks: “ ‘Now you’re wrong, Ida,’ Lisa retorted, busy with sugar and milk.” (p. 113, ll. 43-44). Mrs Mackenzie’s thoughts, on the other hand, appear in the narration without a distinction between her voice and the narrator’s. This suggests that the narrator is telling the story through Mrs Mackenzie’s eyes: “What cheek, she thought as she slammed down the receiver. They’ve been given too much too quickly and they’re getting above th...