language shift in punjabi language

Research ProjectBeauty TipsResearch Study on Language Shift in Punjabi Language

Research Study on Language Shift in Punjabi Language

http://www.learnpakistan.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract 5

Background of the study 6

Introduction 6

Problem statement 7

Delimitation of Study 7

Aims and Objectives 8

Literature Review 8

Research Methodology 10

Data Analysis and Interpretations and Discussion 13

Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations 22

Significance of the study 23

References 24

Annexure: Questionnaire 25



Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I give thanks to Allah – the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent for Hisguidance, protection, divine provision and making this educational sojourn a reality.

It is a pleasure to express my appreciation to those who have influenced this work. I am deeplygrateful to my instructor Prof. Dr. Saiqa Asif for her time, encouragement and concern for thestudy. Frequent conversations with her stimulated my interest in research. Without her guidanceand support the successful completion of this study was not possible for sure.

My sweetest thanks are for my mother, who brought the much needed cheer, love and relief inthis endeavor. I will try not to make any compromise on the quality of work in the future as well andhope I could be more proud of myself at next mile stone.

Misbah Ghufran



… for my mum



Abstract

The research aims at tracing the language shift phenomenon in one of the native languages of

Pakistan, Punjabi. The trend of language shift is quite visible in different areas of the country

where this language is being spoken. The findings show that there is phenomenon of language

shift occurring quite rapidly and it is changing the very face of Punjabi language. The findings

also show that due to the lack of prestige with Punjabi language people tend to shift towards their

own language. There was detected the element of shame which Punjabi people associate with the

use of their own language.

Key words: language shift, Punjabi, native language



Introduction

Language shift in our day to day communication is not quite apparent to us because we are so

intimately connected to our languages that we do not notice any such big change at once. But the

fact is that languages do change and shift from their real face. In case of some lucky languages,

this change is positive when they expand and flourish but in some cases this change is

unfortunate as it leads toward language extinction and death.

Why language shift in Punjabi a worth worrying a subject at all? Why Punjabi speakers should

be worried about the future of the language? In the modern day world isn’t it more important to

learn English language than Punjabi or other indigenous language? English which is language of

modern world, language of science and technology, language of power and having a status of

lingua franka? When we talk about preserving a language (here Punjabi) we also talk about

preserving its cultural heritage, identity preservation, tradition of hundreds of years and a number

of other factors. So it’s important to save languages for their culture as well as for linguistic

diversity. Language shift has been taken as s sign of linguistic and cultural assimilation to a

national majority and therefore has specific political implications. The present study aims to

figure out the levels at which language shift occurs in Punjabi language. The study focuses on

the domains where language shift is occurring taking Multani Punjabi speaker as a norm.

Background of the Study

The language shift phenomenon is not a new thing. Almost all the languages face ‘shift’ of one

kind or the other which is quite natural. Language is not a static thing in fact it is dynamic in its



nature. But different social and economic factors has changed the very face of some of the

languages, Punjabi is one of them. Punjabi is becoming a very different language from the way it

used to be. There can be seen trend of language shift in Punjabi due to the modern day demands

of learning international languages and as a result of changing attitudes of Punjabi speakers

towards their own language. Some languages are given more importance and more economical

benefits are attached with them which lead to language shift from one language to another. But it

does not mean that some languages are inferior and others are superior. The present study aims

to look deeper into the phenomenon of language shift in Punjabi language with regard to

attitudes of Punjabi speakers towards their own language.

Problem Statement

The research problem in hand is that what are the domains where shift is occurring in Punjabi

language? What are the determinants of language shift are? How the existence of dominant

languages change the face of small/weak languages? How languages shift due to the association

of ‘power’ element with some languages? The answer of all these questions is given in this

research study.

Delimitation of Study

The present study limits itself to the language shift phenomena in Punjabi language only. The

study also limits itself in its sample size because it’s a small scale research. Study also limits



itself to the level of some specific domains where language shift is being observed and Punjabi

language as a whole system of communication is not being taken.

Aims and Objectives

Purpose of present study is to identify the language shift phenomenon in Punjabi language. So

the prime objectives of the study are:

To identify the changing attitudes of Punjabi speakers towards Punjabi language

To identify the reasons behind these changing attitudes

To identify some of the domains where language shift is occurring

Literature Review

Language shift is a sociolinguistic phenomenon observed and reported extensively during the last

half of the 20th century by researchers in various locations and settings throughout the world.

Perhaps some of the earliest and most well-known research of language shift was conducted in

the United States in the 1960s by linguist Joshua Fishman using U.S. Census Bureau data

(Veltman, 1983).

Under the heading of language shift a number of processes can be studied like; language

transfer or language replacement or assimilation, but some characteristics can be observed.

Language shift usually refers to the gradual language disappearance in the speech community



where once it was being spoken (Jaspaert & Kroon 1989). Bilingualism or Multilingualism is a

norm almost everywhere in the world and language shift happens when people change their

habitual use of one language to the habitual use of another language (Weinreich 1953: 68).

Language shift is quite a normal thing and it happens almost everywhere in the world and it

continues to happen. According to Hoffman (1991:186), “when a community does not maintain

its language, but gradually adopts another one, we talk about language shift” (186). One can take

the position that functionality of a language much more than frequency of its use is a key concept

in determining the importance of language choice for language shift. The important question is in

which situation or domains which language is chosen (Fishman, 1970). In the mid-

1980s, Linguist Tove Skutnabb-Kangas (1988), captured this idea of discrimination based on

language as the concept of linguicism. Kangas defined linguicism as the "ideologies and

structures which are used to legitimate, effectuate, and reproduce unequal division of power and

resources (both material and non-material) between groups which are defined on the basis of

language.” One of the important factors that impact on shift and maintenance of language is

attitude (Gardner, 1985, Holmes and Harlow, 1991). Attitude refers to “a hypothetical construct

used to explain the direction and persistence of human behavior” (Baker, 1992:10). So, it

represents internal thoughts, feelings tendencies in behavior across a variety of contexts.

Pakistan is a multilingual country. Its national language, Urdu, is the mother tongue of only 7.57

per cent of the population though it is very widely used in the urban areas of the country (Tariq

Rehman). Pakistan’s official language is still English as it was when the British ruled the country

as part of British India. In addition to this, the country has five major indigenous languages given

below.



Table1. Pakistani Languages

Languages Percentage of SpeakersPunjabi 44.15Pashto 15.42Sindhi 14.10Saraiki 10.53Urdu 7.57Balochi 3.57Other 4.66

Source: Census 2001: 107

Despite the fact that Punjabi is most widely spoken in Pakistan language shift is creeping into

Punjabi language without our consciousness of the matter. No matter how many speakers are

there of Punjabi, language shift can be seen at different levels and domains.

Research Methodology

The data is collected in two stages:

i. Primary data collection

ii. Secondary data collection

Initially discussions and preliminary interviews are conducted. On the basis of these observations

questionnaire was developed to look deeper into the problem. Primary data is collected from the

individuals having native language of Punjabi with help of research instrument that is mostly

comprised of close ended questions and few open ended questions.



Secondary data is also collected to build the theoretical framework on which the whole research

study is based. It mostly comprises the research work already been done on the issue in hand.

The prime unit of analysis is the Punjabi speaker that is initially categorized as three generations

which are grandparent generation, parent generation and child generation. Through the

preliminary discussions and interviews it was observed that it is better to divide the child

generation into two subgroups: teenagers and individuals lying in age bracket of 20-30.

In order to achieve research objectives quantitative as well as a qualitative method is applied.

The quantitative method refers to the survey implemented in the form of questionnaires, which

are directed at three generations. Quantitative techniques are utilized to drive results and

conclusions. Qualitative approach is also opted for analyzing open ended questions. The software

packages utilized to drive results are SPSS and Spread Sheet.

Sampling methodology can better be elaborated with the help of following figure:

Punjabi Speaker

Grand Parent Generation(15 respondents selected

randomly based onconvenience)

Parent Generation(15 respondents selected

randomly based onconvenience)

Child GenerationSubdivided into two categories



Keeping in view the research topic, different domains were selected to look language shift at

these levels. Domains like; home, interacting outside homes, interacting with friends (Koen

Jaspaert & Sjaak Kroon: 1991) and choices of watching TV channels.

Child Generation

Teenagers

(15 respondents selectedrandomly based on

convenience)

Individuals lying in ageBracket of 20-30

(15 respondents selectedrandomly based on

convenience)



Data Analysis and Interpretations and Discussion

The very first question asks the respondents that which are the domains where they use Punjabi

language as a communication tool. The rationale behind asking this question is to know about

their attitudes toward Punjabi language. 100% from the grandparent generation said that they use

Punjabi in every domain. 100% from the parent generation said that they use Punjabi only when

they are inside home, while child generation which is divided into two groups, 66.70% people

from the age group of 20-30 Punjabi in family while 33.30% people said that they don’t use

Punjabi at all, while 100% from teenagers (subgroup) said that they don’t use Punjabi at all.

I always use Punjabi language with:

56- above 31- 55 20-30 TeenagersFamilyFriendsNeighborsAt workWith no oneWith every one

Total

0%0%0%0%0%100%

100%

100%0%0%0%0%0%

100%

66.70%0%0%0%33.30%0%

100%

0%0%0%0%100%0%

100%

So from the results we can conclude that there is clear cut shift from the Punjabi language

towards other languages. The following graph represents the same thing:



What language do you use inside your home?

56- above 31- 55 20-30 TeenagersPunjabiUrduEnglish

Total

100%0%0%

100%

100%0%0%

100%

53%47%0%

100%

10%90%0%

100%

The second question asks the respondents that what language they use when they are inside

home. 100% from the grandparent generation said that they use Punjabi when they are at home.

100% from the parent generation also said that they use Punjabi language inside their home,

while 53% people from child generation age from 20-30 said that they use Punjabi inside home

while 47% said they use Urdu for interaction inside home while the 10% from teenagers’ group

said that they use Punjabi while 90% said that they use Urdu inside their homes.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Fam

ily

Frie

nds

Nei

ghbo

urs

At w

ork

With

No

one

With

Eve

ryon

e

Fam

ily

Frie

nds

Nei

ghbo

urs

At w

ork

With

No

one

With

Eve

ryon

e

Fam

ily

Frie

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Nei

ghbo

urs

At w

ork

With

No

one

With

Eve

ryon

e

Fam

ily

Frie

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Nei

ghbo

urs

At w

ork

With

No

one

With

Eve

ryon

e

56-1bove 31-55 20-30 Teenagers

I always use Punjabi language with:



So from the results we can clearly see the shift from Punjabi language towards other languages.

The following graph is the pictorial depiction of the same responses:

What language do you use outside your home (with neighbors)?


Total

90%10%0%

100%

30%70%0%

100%

10%90%0%

100%

0%90%10%

100%

The third question asks the Punjabi speakers that what language they use when they are outside

their homes, like while having an interaction with their neighbors. 90% from the grandparent

generation said that they use Punjabi outside their homes and 10% said that they use Urdu

language. 30% from the parent generation use Punjabi while 70% use Urdu for interaction. 10%

from the third group, child group (20-30) said that they use Punjabi while 90% use Urdu. 90%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Punjabi Urdu English Punjabi Urdu English Punjabi Urdu English Punjabi Urdu English

56-above 31-55 20-30 Teenagers

What language do you use inside your home?



from the teenagers’ group use Urdu for interaction while 10% said that they use English for

interaction. The following graph shows the same thing:

What language do you use (or will use) while interacting your children?


Total

100%0%0%

100%

20%80%0%

100%

0%26.70%73.30%

100%

0%20%80%

100%

The fourth question asks the respondents that what language do they use or will use while

interacting their children. 100% the grandparent generation said that they use Punjabi. 20% from

parent generation use Punjabi while remaining 80% use Urdu for interaction. 26.70% from child

generation said that they use or will use Urdu while 73.30% said that they will use English. 20%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%Pu

njab

i

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish


What language do you use outside your home (with neighbors)?



from the teenagers said that they will use Urdu while 80% said that they will use English with

their children.

The rationale behind asking this question was to know the attitudes and changing trends toward

Punjabi language. The following graph shows the same thing:

I will transmit Punjabi language to my next generation.

56- above 31- 55 20-30 TeenagersStrongly DisagreeDisagreeIndifferentAgreeStrongly Agree

Total

0%0%0%40%60%

100%

6.70%86.70%0%6.60%0%

100%

46.70%53.30%0%0%0%

100%

73.30%26.70%0%0%0%

100%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish


What language do you use (or will use) while interacting yourchildren?



The fifth question asks the respondents that whether they would transmit Punjabi language to

their next generation or not. 40% from the grandparent generation agree that they would transmit

Punjabi while 60% were strongly agreed with the statement. 6.70% from parent generation were

strongly disagree while 86.70% were simply disagree, while 6.60% showed agreement that they

would transmit Punjabi to their next generation. 46.70% from the child generation (20-30) were

strongly disagree with the statement while 53.30% showed disagreement with the statement.

73.30% from the teenagers group were strongly disagree with the statement while 26.70% said

that they were disagree with the statement.

The rationale behind asking this question was to have knowledge of the prestige Punjabi

speakers attach with their language. The following graph is the pictorial depiction if the

responses:

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

S.DA DA

Indi

ff. A SA

S.DA DA

Indi

ff. A SA

S.DA DA

Indi

ff. A SA

S.DA DA

Indi

ff. A SA

56-1bove 31-55 20-30 Teenagers

I will transmit Punjabi language to my next generation.



What language do you prefer while interacting with your Punjabi friends?


Total

100%0%0%

100%

60%40%0%

100%

33.30%66.70%0%

100%

0%100%0%

100%

The next question asks the respondents that what language they prefer while interacting their

Punjabi friends to know about their preferences. 100% of grandparent generation showed their

preference for Punjabi language. 60% from the parent generation said that they prefer Punjabi

while 40% said that they prefer Urdu language. 33.30% from the child generation (age 20-30)

said that they prefer Punjabi while 66.70% said that they prefer Urdu. While 100% teenagers

said that they prefer Urdu.

The purpose of asking this question was to know the level of importance they attach with

Punjabi. The following graph shows the same thing:

0%20%40%60%80%

100%120%

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish


What language do you prefer while interacting yourPunjabi friends?



What language do you prefer with your non- Punjabi friends?

56- above 31- 55 20-30 TeenagersPunjabiUrduEnglishOther

Total

80%0%0%20%

100%

10%90%0%0%

100%

0%100%0%0%

100%

0%80%20%0%

100%

The next question asks the respondents that what language they prefer for interaction with their

non- Punjabi friends. 80% from grandparent generation said that they prefer Punjabi while 20%

said they prefer other languages (like Saraiki) for interaction. 10% from the parent generation

said that they prefer Punjabi while 90% prefer Urdu. 100% from the child generation (age 20-30)

prefer Urdu while from teenagers 80% prefer Urdu while 20% prefer English.

This question was asked to know about the shifting trends from Punjabi to other languages. The

following graph shows the same thing:

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Oth

er

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Oth

er

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Oth

er

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Oth

er


What language do you prefer for your non- Punjabifriends?



What channels do you prefer to watch on TV?


Total

60%40%0%

100%

0%60%40%

100%

0%46.70%53.30%

100%

0%20%80%

100%

The next question asks for the preferences of Punjabi speakers on TV to know their level of

attachment with their language. 60% of the grandparent generation said that they prefer Punjabi

channels and 40% prefer Urdu, while 60% from parent generation prefer Urdu and 40% of them

prefer English. 46.70% from child generation (age 20-30) prefer Urdu whereas 53.30% prefer

English channels. 20% of teenagers said that they prefer Urdu channels while 80% prefer

English channels. The following graph is pictorial depiction of responses:

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish

Punj

abi

Urd

u

Engl

ish


What channels do you prefer to watch on TV?



Findings, Conclusions and recommendations

From the analysis of the questions conclusion is quite evident. We can clearly see that there is

language shift occurring in Punjabi language in different domains which is being analyzed in the

study. This language shift is occurring at different domains; home, interacting with neighbors,

interaction with friends, and their choices of watching TV channels and their attitudes towards

transmission of Punjabi to the next generation. As I also included some open- ended questions in

my questionnaire which I asked while having a discussion with my respondents, which focus

mainly on their attitudes and reasons for language shift of Punjabi. Those open- ended questions

revealed that people are switching towards other languages (Urdu and English) because prestige

is associated with them and also due to economic factors. Grandparent generation was quite

satisfied with their linguistic identity (Punjabis), parent generation was satisfied being their

Punjabis but only at homes while child generation is not quite comfortable with their linguistic

identity and mostly teenagers were the passive listeners of Punjabi. When asked what language

would they want to learn and want their children to educate in, responses from parent generation

and child generation was towards learning of English language ( Urdu is already being used by

them in different domains) as they get economic security and try to assimilate themselves with

elite class and also want their children learn international language. Very few people from

younger generations showed inclination to learn their indigenous language. Challenges of

modern day world are so great that it becomes difficult to fight back at times.

Linguistic relativity is a concept that is used to indicate that structure of every language

exercises a differential influence on the thought of its speaker in a way in which s/he conceives

reality. Punjabi's capacity to shape our thinking is dwindling every day and on the other hand



our ability to conceptualize English is increasing every day. If this approach holds ground then

we will become less and less Punjabi and more and more English or 'modern'.

In a rapidly globalizing world it may seem like that the future of Punjabi language is at stake.

There are a number of different factors which contribute to the defacing Punjabi language, like

social as well as economic factors, urbanization, absence of Punjabi in educational system and

low prestige associated with Punjabi.

There is no reason to discourage the usage of ‘small’ languages, rather it should be fostered. It is

vital for modern-day Punjabis to learn English for global use, so that they can be participants in

the sharing of global wealth, while textualize Punjabi as the accepted language for local use,

moreover popularize the use of Punjabi as the custodian of their culture and tradition. It is very

challenging to devise a course of action for the Punjabi collectivity.

Significance of study

The study provides us with the reasons behind the phenomenon of language shift in Punjabi

language. It identifies a number of different factors which contribute to the shift of the said

language. Study shows that language choices even at the unconscious level can lead to language

shift. Study helps for the better understanding of reasons and causes of phenomenon of language

shift in Punjabi.



References

1. Veltman, C. 1983. Language Shift in the United States. Berlin: Mouton.

2. Jaspaert, K. & Kroon, S. 1989. Social determinants of language loss. In: ITL- Review of

Applied Linguistics, 83-84, 75-98.

3. Weinreich, U. 1953. Language shift in the United States. Berlin: Mouton

4. Hoffman, C. 1991. An introduction to Bilingualism. London: Longman.

5. Gardner, R. C. 1985. Social psychology and Second Language learning: The role of

Attitudes and Motivation. London: Edward Arnold.

6. Holmes, J. & Harlow, R. 1991. Threads in the New Zealand Tapestry of Language.

Auckland: Linguistic Society of New Zealand

7. Jaspaert, K. & S. Kroon. 1991. Social determinants of language shift by Italians in The

Netherlands and Flanders, In: International Journal of Sociology of Language, 90, 77-96.

(= K. de Bot & W. Fase eds, Migrant Languages in Western Europe)

8. Shigemoto, J. 1996. Language Change and Language Planning and policy

9. Fishman, J. 1970. Sociolinguistics. Rowley, Mass: Newbury House

11. Rahman, T. 2003. Language policy, multilingualism and language vitality in Pakistan

12. Tove, S. 1988. Multilingualism and the education of minority children.



Annexure: Questionnaire

I am conducting a short scale research on the phenomenon of language shift in Punjabi language.I have distinguished domains of Punjabi language usage namely: Family, neighborhood, friendsand choices in the selection of TV channels. Through this questionnaire I would like to find outYour Attitude towards the Punjabi language. Read the questions carefully and choose the answerthat suits you best.

Select age category:

Teenager 20- 30 31- 55 56- Above

1. I always use Punjabi language when I am with: Family members

Friends Neighbors

At work With no one With every one

2. What language do you use when you are inside your home/ with your family members? Punjabi

Urdu English

3. What language do you prefer while interacting with your neighborhoods (outside house)? Punjabi

Urdu English

4. What language do you use (and will use) while having an interaction with your children? Punjabi Urdu

English

5. I would transmit Punjabi language to my next generation.

Strongly disagree Disagree Indifferent



Agree Strongly agree

6. What language do you prefer while interacting with your Punjabi friends? Punjabi

Urdu English

7. What language do you prefer while interacting with your non- Punjabi friends? Punjabi Urdu

English

8. What channels do you prefer to watch on TV? Punjabi channels Urdu channels

English channels

9. Why Punjabi people have started using more of Urdu (or other languages i.e. English incase of educated background)?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What do you feel about your being Punjabi speaker? Do you feel proud of being yourPunjabi speaker?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. If you are given choice which language would you like to learn and why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



12. If given choice which language would you like to educate your children in (language forlearning) and why?-________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks a lot for your cooperation!

language shift in punjabi language

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