LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Multiple Nested Triglossic Situation in Pakistan

Umar-ud-Din, Ph.D. Scholar, Muhammad Kamal Khan, Ph.D. Scholar and
Muhammad Iqbal, Ph.D. Scholar

Abstract

Sociolinguistically most of the countries of the world can be described as diglossic societies. But diglossia is not always a simple phenomenon. Sometimes, it is a very complex sociolinguistic situation. There is a diglossia within a diglossia. Sociolinguists have coined different terms to describe different diglossic situations.

There have appeared two fascinating types of multiple language polyglossia in the literature - 'Double Overlapping Diglossia' and 'Double Nested Diglossia'. These types more clearly describe the diglossic situation in Pakistan where there is intersection of two diglossic situations, one involving Urdu and some vernacular (Punjabi) and the other involving Urdu and English.

The article investigates the diglossic situation in Pakistan and concludes that 'Multiple Nested Triglossia' is the better term to define the situation prevalent in Pakistan.

Keywords: Diglossia, Multiple Language Polyglossia, Double Overlapping Diglossia, Double Nested Diglossia, Multiple Nested Triglossia

1. Introduction

Diglossia is formed from Greek diglossos which means "bilingual". It refers to a socio-linguistic situation in which two very different varieties of a language co-occur throughout a speech community, each with a distinct range of social function" (Crystal 1997). The term 'diglossia' is associated with the American linguist Charles A. Ferguson. Ferguson suggests that "the High and Low varieties should belong to the same language" (Hudson 1996). However, some writers have extended the use of this term. In their opinion, the term 'diglossia' includes the situations where the High and Low varieties are two different languages. "It is by no means rare for two or more distinct languages or language varieties to be used side by side within a single community, with or without a high degree of bilingualism" (Trask 1999).

Thus, in a diglossic situation two or more than two distinct languages or language varieties can be used in a single community (Matthews 1997). Everyone of these languages or language varieties has special functions and is considered appropriate only for these special functions.

There is difference in prestige associated with different varieties. The more prestigious variety is called High (or H) variety and the other language or language variety that enjoys little prestige is called Low (or L) variety. L is often the mother tongue of most speakers while H is learned as a second or target language through formal education. The L variety is usually used for daily ordinary conversation and is not often written. The H variety is used in news broadcasts, newspapers, literature, lectures, sermons etc.

Diglossia is not a rare phenomenon. It is found in most of the countries of the world. Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Singapore, India, Pakistan, etc., have diglossic situations.

The first part of the article introduces the term diglossia, and the second gives us background literature and research on the topic up to the present time. The third part puts forward the hypothesis proved in the present article and the fourth one discusses the factors creating diglossia in Pakistan and analyses the Pakistani sociolinguistic situation. The last part gives concludes the discussion.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

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