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Title: Study of Lexical Choices: A Case Study of Khairpur and Lar Regions of Sindh
Authors: Shah Muhammad, Tanveer Hussain Mangnejo, Shah Rukh Sikander
Journal: Human Nature Journal of Social Sciences (HNJSS)
Publisher: Human Nature Research Publisher
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2024
Volume: 5
Issue: 1
Language: English
Keywords: DialectObservationLexicallanguage deathlanguage maintenance
Aim of the Study: Languages vary in time place. This variation causes language shift, language change death. Sindhi language is also undergoing continuous change under the influence of Urdu and English languages. There is a little research on the historical perspectives of Sindhi language family and its dialectical variation (Ali, 2016). Therefore, this paper aims to fill this gap and explores the lexical variations between two dialects, i.e., Lar and Utradi dialects of Sindhi language. These two dialects are adjacent, yet have some differences with respect to the lexical choices.
Methodology: This paper is carried out through a qualitative exploratory study. The observation and interview have been conducted to collect the data. The five participants were selected purposively.
Findings: The findings of the study highlights the variations in lexical choices between two dialects. The findings also revealed that the speakers of Lar region chose more typical Sindhi words such as “جوت ” (in roman English ‘jot’, and in English fire, i.e., a bonefire) and Speakers of Utradi dialect chose modernised lexical choices. Hence, Utradi dialect is more inclined to language change than Lari dialect.
Conclusion: The study concluded with the assumption that social and cultural factors can be noticed in understanding the lexical choices made in both regions as the researchers showed the results with examples in which there were almost different linguistic choices. Based on the findings of this study, it can be suggested that there is huge need for the research to understand the causes of these differences that may help the language researchers to suggest the ways to maintain Sindhi language.
To explore and compare the lexical variations between the Lar and Utradi dialects of the Sindhi language, specifically focusing on the regions of Khairpur and Lar.
Qualitative exploratory study using observation and unstructured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select five participants (2 from Khairpur, 3 from Lar) who were native Sindhi speakers with a pure Sindhi language family history, belonging to the same culture, and aged 30 years and above. Data was collected by observing participants' lexical choices from a given list and through verbal questioning, then translated into English.
graph TD;
A["Select Participants 5 native speakers from Khairpur and Lar"] --> B["Conduct Observations"];
B --> C["Conduct Unstructured Interviews"];
C --> D["Collect and Translate Lexical Choices Data"];
D --> E["Analyze Lexical Variations"];
E --> F["Identify Similarities and Differences"];
F --> G["Interpret Findings based on Social and Cultural Factors"];
G --> H["Draw Conclusions and Make Recommendations"];
The study highlights that lexical variations between the Lar and Khairpur regions of Sindh are influenced by social and cultural factors, as well as geographical proximity and historical linguistic influences (e.g., Thari dialect with Sanskrit impact on Lar speakers). While some common words exist, significant differences in lexical choices can hinder mutual understanding between speakers of these dialects. The researchers suggest that regular interaction and education can help bridge these linguistic gaps.
Speakers of the Lar region (Utradi dialect) tend to use more modernised lexical choices, while speakers of the Khairpur region (Lari dialect) use more typical Sindhi words. The Utradi dialect shows a greater inclination towards language change. Social and cultural factors influence lexical choices, leading to differences in meaning and understanding between the dialects.
Social and cultural factors significantly impact lexical choices in the Sindhi language, leading to variations between dialects like Lar and Khairpur. These differences can create communication challenges. The study suggests that further research with larger samples is needed to explore these variations and inform strategies for language maintenance.
- The study was published in March 2024. (Confirmed by publication date)
- Five participants were selected for the study: two from the Khairpur region and three from the Lar region. (Confirmed in Methodology)
- The Utradi dialect is spoken in the northern region, and the Lari dialect is spoken in the Lar region. (Confirmed in Methodology)
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