Nadsat
Nadsat is a constructed set of slang invented by the linguist and novelist Anthony Burgess.
Description
Nadsat is a teen language spoken by Alex and his 'droogs' in the futuristic world of A Clockwork Orange. It isn't a written language: the sense that we have of the novel is of a transcription of speech, rather than writing. Nadsat is basically English, with some transliterated words from Russian. It also contains some Cockney influences, some words of unclear origin, and some words that Burgess invented.
Nadsat is in fact not so much a language as a register. Alex is capable of speaking 'properly' when he wants to, and besides, what he says is intelligible to an English speaker. Nadsat is really a lexicon of 'extra' words which Alex uses to describe the world as he sees it:
- 'britva' = knife (Russian)
- 'cutter' = money (invented?)
- 'horrorshow' = good (Russian khorosho, "good")
- 'starry ptitsa' = old woman (Russian, "old bird")
- 'in-out-in-out' = sex, rape (invented)
- 'devotchka' = woman (Russian, "little girl")
Nadsat words are all concrete or semi-abstract: to discuss philosophy Alex would have to shift into normal English. The fact that a teen language has no abstract words is perhaps Burgess' reflection on the shallowness of the juvenile delinquent's thought process.
Function of Nadsat
Alex's use of Nadsat mirrors what happens in real life - children and teenagers invent secret languages for talking amongst themselves (e.g. on mobile phones). That Alex uses a different, unfamiliar language to talk to others of his age reinforces the social apartheid between the young and the old. It reflects a completely different attitude to life.
Nadsat has the additional function of 'censoring' the graphic descriptions of Alex's crimes. Words that we have strong emotional reactions to in English - 'rape', 'murder' - are neutralised by being replaced with words that are unfamiliar: unfamiliar words obviously have no connotational baggage, so we simply take them at face value. This diverts us from the depravity of Alex's behaviour, and directs us into seeing Alex in a more sympathetic light.
C.f. Newspeak, the state-doctored language of George Orwell's 1984, for another example of language used to neuter meaning.
External Links
- Nadsat Dictionary (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/1974/nadsat.html)
- Article and dictionary (http://soomka.com/nadsat.html)
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here," he was muttering to himself. "No, no, that is my pardon from his
How, how? Have I lost it?" Grumbling and mumbling, grating his loose
suddenly cried, "now I have it!" and whipped out his hand. Belviso
upon my breast. There was a shocking report of a pistol, discharged
my arm, levelled, and shot.html">shot Palamone through the head.
We picked up the lifeless form of that lad whom I had once loved for his
tearless; pale, stern and tearless also I stood above him, my weapon
fired that shot. Do you dare to say that he has not got his deserts?"
She did not answer me; she was busy with the dead. She opened his jacket
fluttered. Then she lifted to me a stern pure face. "His deserts, my
no."
Some impulse, I know not what, made me obey. I kneeled down by Virginia.
back the cotton shirt. Wonder, terror, a flood of shame came scalding
breasts of a girl. My proof had turned to my reproof. I was humbled to
died to save him that had once saved thee, I pray to God that thou
kissed the cold lips, but I fell upon the cold bosom and wept bitterly.
She let me sob my full. Not until I was calmer did the noble girl touch
not reproach yourself any more. This poor soul has done what she must in
never have been given her. She was loyal to you through all and deceived
asked. God have her soul." [Footnote: Belviso's tragic masquerade was
were desirous of becoming a comedian she must, unless her talents.
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