Gibraltarian writer and View affiliate member M. G. Sanchez’s latest book has now been published in both Llanito and English‑only editions. Lowlife Tales brings together eleven stories across nearly four hundred pages and looks at themes such as identity, nationalism, Gibraltar’s relationship with Spain, and language loss. ‘The Return of the Native,’ the final story in the English edition, specifically looks at language and can almost be read as an elegy for the Llanito that was spoken in Gibraltar in the 1980s and 1990s, but which is now rapidly fading from everyday use.
Speaking about the book View team leader Elena Seoane said: ‘Lowlife Tales is not just a compulsively readable and highly entertaining read; it also serves as an important linguistic resource, showing how Llanito was spoken through the 1980s and 1990 and reflecting thoughtfully on the dilemmas posed by language loss. I am sure this book will be an invaluable contribution for students of Llanito and Gibraltarian code-switching.’
The book can be viewed on the inkshere.
Congratulations, Mark. We are truly in awe of your talent!