Kashmir Journal of Language Research

Morpho-Syntactic Variation in Balti Spoken in District Shiger

Nasir Hussain — 2024-06-16

The present study aims to explore morpho-syntactic variation in Balti, as spoken in the Shiger district of Gilgit Baltistan. Employing a descriptive-qualitative research design, the study examines a sample of 60 participants, randomly selected, with 15 individuals from each of the four villages in Shiger. The participants, all native Balti speakers, range in age from 30 to 60 years. Data collection was conducted through open-ended interviews, recorded in audio format. The findings of the study indicate that speakers from different regions within the Shiger district exhibit morpho-syntactic variations. Specifically, the study identifies four variants of Balti—Basha, Braldo, Shiger Mal, and Gulabpur—based on these variations. Consequently, dialectal boundaries can be delineated between these regions within the Shiger district. Moreover, this study contributes to the documentation of the Balti language, which is classified as one of the most endangered languages globally.

Content Analysis of Mission Statements and Vision Statements of Universities in Pakistan

Anila Afzal — 2024-06-16

This study conducts a corpus-based content analysis of the mission statements (MS) and vision statements (VS) of the top ten universities ranked by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, aiming to explore their major objectives using various corpus methods including keywords, frequency lists, concordances, collocations, and text-type ratio. A mixed-method approach has been employed for data analysis, revealing that while the majority of universities emphasize the holistic development of learners/scholars, some (UHS, UVAS, UoK, and COMSAT) show a lack of focus on moral development, as indicated by the absence or low frequencies of value-based lexemes. Consequently, the study suggests that meticulous design of MS and VS is essential to reflect a holistic approach toward intellectual, physical, emotional, moral, and social goals, collectively pursued by all stakeholders, emphasizing the need for universities to align their institutional goals with broader societal values and expectations.

Merging Trans Language and Identity

Javed Iqbal — 2024-06-16

The current study aims to explore the dilemma of transgender associating it to the derogatory language society use for them and their own feminine identity. It explores the phenomenon that how language and identity play their role in marginalization and degradation of a community in a society. The researchers have used qualitative approach to collect the data from online documentaries and semi-structured interviews (taken from trans-females residing in Islamabad). The data was analyzed through the lens of Bourdieu who relates social power to the language. The study reveals that the language used for and by transgender is powerless, full of derogatory and unsophisticated utterances which result in their powerless and marginalized status in society. The study also sheds light on the fact that in a patriarchal society the adaptation of feminine identity by transgender also results in their marginalization.

Electronic or Printed Books: ESL learners’ Preferences at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Sabir Hussain Shah — 2024-06-16

ESL learners have different preferences for reading materials. Some of the learners prefer to read printed material while others are comfortable with the electronic or digital books. The current study aims to find out the preferences of ESL learners regarding printed or electronic course material. It further attempts to investigate the reasons behind such preferences. The data for the study have been collected from 105 ESL learners using survey questionnaire and conducting semi-structured interviews of 15 ESL learners of the department of English, the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The data have been analyzed using pie-charts, thematic analysis and categorization. The findings reveal that majority of the participants prefer to read printed books because of their convenience, durability, longevity, better understanding, tangible and enjoyable reading experience. Electronic books are preferred by a small number of learners for their portability, low cost, easy access and availability.

Rhetorical Insights into Anti-Racial Dynamics

Asma Naz — 2024-06-16

Humor has long been recognized as a powerful tool for addressing complex and sensitive societal issues, including racial prejudice and discrimination. Nowadays, different stand-up comedians use anti-racist humor to highlight racial issues and promote a broader perspective. Building on previous studies examining the potential of humor to ease interracial anxiety and exploring rhetorical strategies in humorous discourses, this research delved deeper into the reasons for using these narratives and their impact on society. The study used anecdotes by renowned comedian Trevor Noah in his stand-up acts. By analyzing humor-centric rhetorical content and strategies employed by Noah, the study intended to uncover the mechanisms through which humor can challenge prevailing cultural practices and stereotypes. Trevor Noah's social commentary and insights into race-related topics as a comedian provided a contemporary and relevant focal point for this research. The paper explored the potential of his humor which drives meaningful change by engaging the audience through entertainment. Through investigation of the interplay between comedy and cultural awareness, the research further sought to understand how humor can be leveraged to foster inclusivity and challenge ingrained biases. The findings shed light on the effectiveness of humor as a means of addressing racial issues, encouraging open dialogue, and promoting social change. Ultimately, this research underscored the significance of humor in the ongoing struggle for an unbiased and equitable society.

Rupi Kaur –Unapologetic Insta-poet

Maham Michelle Gill — 2024-06-16

This paper provides an in-depth exploration of Rupi Kaur's Instapoetry, positioning her as a fearless contemporary voice addressing the intersection of trauma and beauty. Kaur's unapologetic approach challenges patriarchal norms through her exploration of relationships, immigrant experiences, and sexual trauma. The study delves into her distinctive instapoetics, analyzing the intricate relationship between trauma and healing, emphasizing self-love and acceptance. The use of language, imagery, and symbolism in Kaur's work is examined, revealing a masterful blend of the concrete and the abstract that creates a haunting and atmospheric landscape. The paper highlights Kaur's digital engagement, particularly on Instagram and Tumblr, and its role in forming a global readership. It explores the nuanced representation of trauma, disrupting conventional narratives by intertwining moments of beauty and grace. In conclusion, this analysis affirms the enduring impact of Kaur's Instapoetry in reshaping cultural discussions on pain, resilience, and wonder.

Linguistic Projection of Pakistan’s Official Tourism Websites

Sadia Choudhri — 2024-06-16

Sustainable tourism industry is generally represented from an economic standpoint but is rarely considered from a linguistic perspective. As tourism is view to be a passport to nation’s proclivity to go green and the persuasive language on official tourism websites is an instrumental tool in navigating the potential tourists’ perceptions towards it. Taking this into account, this paper evaluates the linguistic attitudinal resources and their communicative purposes on Pakistan’s official tourism websites. More specifically, it also examines the realization of ecological preferences through the use of appraisal patterns. Based on the qualitative research design, the data of this study was collected from three official tourism websites of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces operated under Pakistan Tourism Development Cooperation (PTDC). At total of 30 destinations and cultural features were selected based on the purposive sampling technique. Three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11, 12 and 15 (United Nations, 2015) including sustainable communities, resource efficiency and life on land were focused. For Ecolinguistic analysis, Stibbe’s (2015) theory of evaluations and appraisal patterns was applied. The results revealed that all the appraisal categories are equally employed within the tourism discourse. The deployment of the affect category to instill the institutionalized feelings, judgment category shows the institutionalized behavior and appreciation category to promote the intrinsic values. The graduation category further stimulates the persuasion of tourism discourse. Thus, we advocate the usage of positive appraisal patterns to establish a hybrid mode of communication. Moreover, the ecological values are more significantly triggered through appreciation category to promote sustainable tourism.

Examining Abuse as a Manifestation of Maternal Ambivalence in Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk about Kevin

Rabia Shamim — 2024-06-16

The institution of Motherhood, as is propagated by traditional philosophical discourse, has been challenged by feminist scholars during the last few decades. As a result, Maternal Ambivalence and its manifestations have carved out a niche in scholarly discussion as an inevitable and integral part of the maternal experience. This research article carries out a thematic analysis of the selected work of contemporary fiction using Sarah LaChance Adams’ theory of Maternal Ambivalence. The research engages with Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk About Kevin, which depicts an abusive relationship between mother and child, analyzing how narratives like this negotiate the construction of cultural perceptions of motherhood, as well as the reigning societal expectations of mothers. By examining fictional accounts, the paper explores the symbolic and metaphorical representations of abuse between mother and child in literature, uncovering the deeper psychological and socio-cultural implications embedded within the text. Drawing on theories from motherhood studies using Brown and Clarke’s model of textual analysis, the paper investigates the interplay of power in the patriarchy as well as the existence of maternal identity in the status quo, thus illustrating how literary representations of abuse contribute to broader discourses on women's roles and societal norms. It critically examines how the author navigates the labyrinth of maternal emotions, societal pressures, and mental health crises through their narrative, offering insights into the ways literature both reflects and challenges prevailing cultural ideologies. It discerns abuse, as a manifestation of the ambivalent maternal experience, exploring the phenomenon under study in the delimited contemporary fiction. It engages with the normative perception of motherhood, and challenges it by providing evidence from the fiction under study, proving that a mother is a flawed human, who when overridden by her ambivalence, can harm the child under her care.

A Semiotic Analysis of Cultural Shift in Benazir Bhutto’s Images

Muhammad Waseem — 2024-06-16

Cultural switching, or cultural shift, is a prevalent phenomenon observed among politicians. This study examines the cultural shift in Benazir Bhutto's life through the application of Charles Sanders Peirce's Triadic Model on the selected images. Generally, people perceive images tongueless that is a misperception. Images do have language that carries and conveys meaning either explicitly or implicitly. The study analyzes various phases of Bhutto’s life, specifically her student life and her tenure as a politician, including her role as prime minister, offering semiotic meaning of the selected images to understand cultural dimensions of her life. Three images for analysis have been selected using purposive (judgmental) sampling. The data are organized chronologically to enhance clarity and assist the reader. A meticulous examination of the selected images has been performed regarding setting, background, dressing, colour, and props for image analysis. Images are analyzed qualitatively using a triadic model of semiotics. Semiotics, the study of signs, facilitated the decoding of hidden messages within the images. This paper clearly identifies the intensity of cultural shifts across various contexts. The research indicates that cultural shifts were driven by either political motivations or the pursuit of national integrity. The study presents several characteristics associated with Benazir Bhutto’s personality, including her leadership qualities such as vocality, political acumen, and savviness.