Linguistic Diversity and Social Fragmentation in Pakistan: An Exploratory Study
Abstract:
Due to its several official and regional languages, Pakistan is a linguistically varied nation, and this makes language diversity an important aspect of the social cohesiveness and fracturing of Pakistani society (Ahmed, 1996; Ali & Farrukh, 2006; Rahman, 2006; Bughio, 2014; Liljegren & Akhunzada, 2017; Manan, David & Dumanig, 2017; Torwali). The relationship between linguistic diversity and social fragmentation in Pakistan is investigated in this qualitative exploratory study. To collect data, linguists, local officials, and common people of different linguistic origins were interviewed. The data was then examined thematically to find patterns and themes (Ahmed, 1996; Bughio, 2014; Liljegren & Akhunzada, 2017; Manan, David & Dumanig, 2017). According to the research, linguistic diversity can both be a source of cultural diversity and individual identity, as well as social and political strife. The study highlights the requirement for increased efforts to foster social harmony and cohesiveness in Pakistan by addressing the problems caused by linguistic variety (Ali & Farrukh, 2006; Rahman, 2006; Torwali).
Keywords: linguistics, cohesion, fragmentation, thematic analysis, Pakistan, Language, and national cohesion
Introduction:
There is a great amount of linguistic diversity in Pakistan, where more than 70 different languages are spoken (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2017). While adding to Pakistani society's cultural diversity and richness, this language diversity also poses difficulties for social cohesiveness and political stability. Language diversity has been linked to social division, political polarisation, and war, according to earlier studies(Ahmed, 1996; Ali & Farrukh, 2006; Rahman, 2006; Bughio, 2014; Liljegren & Akhunzada, 2017; Manan, David & Dumanig, 2017; Torwali). Unfortunately, little is known about how Pakistan's social fragmentation is impacted by linguistic diversity. By examining the connection between linguistic diversity and social fragmentation in Pakistani society, this study seeks to close this gap.
Background:
Pakistan is a linguistically diverse country with over 70 languages spoken, leading to a complex sociolinguistic landscape. This diversity has been a source of both cohesion and fragmentation in society.
Statement of the Problem:
There is a dearth of thorough knowledge of how linguistic diversity relates to social fragmentation and cohesiveness despite the significance of linguistic diversity in influencing social dynamics in Pakistan.
Research Objective:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between Pakistan's linguistic diversity and social fragmentation.
Research Question:
How does linguistic diversity in Pakistan affect social cohesiveness and fragmentation?
Theoretical framework:
The notion of linguistic relativity contends that language affects how we perceive and comprehend the world, and sociolinguistics serves as the foundation for this subject.
Significance and rationale:
This study is crucial because it will shed light on how Pakistan's linguistic diversity affects social dynamics. These findings could guide social cohesion programs.
Delimitations:
This study only looks at the connection between linguistic diversity and social fragmentation in Pakistan; it ignores other aspects of social fragmentation like economic inequality or political instability.
Literature Review:
Pakistani society is distinguished by its linguistic diversity, with over 74 different languages being spoken in the country (Bughio, 2014). Yet, the social dispersion in Pakistan has frequently been linked to this country's linguistic diversity (Ahmed, 1996). Rahman (2006) asserts that Pakistan's language policy, which promotes Urdu as the national language and pushes out other languages, has significantly contributed to the fragmentation of society in the country. Many minority languages in Pakistan have lost their vibrancy and maintenance as a result of this marginalization (Liljegren & Akhunzada, 2017).
In Pakistan, societal fragmentation has been exacerbated by language policy as well as other issues including static maintenance syndrome and ethnolinguistic conundrums (Manan, David, & Dumanig, 2017). The study by Torwali (n.d.) illustrates the difficulties that northern Pakistan's linguistic variety faces, such as the lack of support for minority languages and the push to speak the dominant languages.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, Pakistani society continues to value linguistic diversity (Ali & Farrukh, 2006). Policies that support linguistic life and the preservation of minority languages are required, as are policies that support linguistic inclusivity and tolerance in society at large. Ultimately, more research and attention are needed from academics, decision-makers, and the general public on the problem of the linguistic variety and social fragmentation in Pakistan.
Method:
This study employs a qualitative exploratory research approach and draws on interviews with linguists, local authorities, and common people from various linguistic origins. The interviews are conducted throughout Pakistan in a number of places, including Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi. Participants in the sample come from a variety of ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds, including communities that speak Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, Baloch, and Urdu. The interviews are recorded on audio and verbatim transcribed for analysis. Using NVivo software, the data is thematically analyzed to find trends and themes regarding Pakistan's language variety and social fragmentation.
A literature review is also used in this study to offer a theoretical foundation for the conclusions. The sources for the literature review include academic journals, research papers, and other pertinent publications about Pakistan's language diversity and social fragmentation. The purpose of the research is to determine the relationship between Pakistan's social fragmentation and linguistic diversity. Understanding how language diversity affects social cohesiveness and disintegration in Pakistan is the goal of this study. How does language diversity affect social fragmentation in Pakistan is the study question? The small sample size and a concentration on qualitative analysis, which restricts the generalizability of the results, are some of the study's drawbacks. Yet, the study offers insightful information about Pakistan's link between linguistic diversity and social dispersion.
Results:
The data analysis uncovers a number of trends and topics concerning Pakistan's language variety and social dispersion. First of all, the study reveals that linguistic diversity can support cultural diversity and identity, with many participants expressing pride in their linguistic traditions and background. The research also reveals that linguistic diversity can lead to conflicts and divisions, with some individuals reporting instances of marginalization or discrimination based on their linguistic identities. Lastly, the study discovers that linguistic variety can intensify tensions and divisions between various groups, with some participants claiming that political parties or movements based on linguistic identities can do this. Last but not least, the study emphasizes the necessity of stepping up measures to support linguistic diversity as a factor in Pakistani unity and social cohesion, including language education, language policy, and cultural exchange initiatives.
Conclusion:
The study concludes by offering a preliminary investigation of the connection between linguistic variety and socioeconomic dispersion in Pakistani society. The results imply that, depending on how it is managed and promoted, linguistic diversity can be a source of both unity and division. The study emphasizes the need for additional research to fully comprehend the complexity of Pakistan's linguistic variety and to pinpoint practical tactics for fostering social cohesiveness and political stability in a linguistically varied nation.
References:
Ahmed, F. (1996). Pakistan: ethnic fragmentation or national integration?. The Pakistan Development Review, 631-645.
Ali, S., & Farrukh, S. M. (2006). Linguistic Diversity in Pakistan. American Pakistan Foundation. https://www.americanpakistan.org/blog-main-feature/pakistan-linguistic-diversity
Bughio, M. Q. (2014). Determining the status and use of languages spoken in Pakistan. Darnioji daugiakalbystė, (4), 46-56.
Liljegren, H., & Akhunzada, F. (2017). Linguistic diversity, vitality and maintenance: A case study on the language situation in northern Pakistan. Multiethnica. Meddelande från Centrum för multietnisk forskning, Uppsala universitet, (36-37), 61-79.
Manan, S. A., David, M. K., & Dumanig, F. P. (2017). Ethnolinguistic dilemma and static maintenance syndrome: A study of language policies and language perceptions in Pakistan. Language Problems and Language Planning, 41(1), 66-86.
Rahman, T. (2006). Language policy, multilingualism and language vitality in Pakistan. Trends in linguistics studies and monographs, 175, 73.
Torwali, Z. (n.d.). Challenges to the linguistic diversity of North Pakistan.
