Language Divergence Caused by LoC

A Case Study of District Kupwara (Jammu & Kashmir) and District Neelum (Azad Jammu & Kashmir)

Abstract

The Institute of Languages, University of Azad Jammu &Kashmir and the Department of Linguistics, Kashmir University, Srinagar, India jointly conducted the research with an aim to promote cross LoC (Line of Control) collaboration among the academics, and to explore areas yet unknown.  The focus of the study was to document and analyze the scale and nature of linguistic divergence between the Hindko/Pahari language varieties spoken on either side of Line of Control.  Another objective of the present study was to analyze and determine the ongoing process of change and the attitude of the people towards the languages/language varieties spoken across the LoC. Moreover, the research aimed at facilitating interaction at academic level for better understanding of each other and establishing tradition of cross LoC research. For this purpose, language data, from six villages (three from Kupwara District and three from Neelum District), were collected and analyzed to determine the impact of the LoC on the languages/varieties spoken on either side of the LoC.  This research precisely determines the nature and extent of linguistic variations resulting from the arbitrary partition of Jammu and Kashmir with hope to transform the conflicting zone into collaborative research zone.