Pulpit to Boardroom: Sociolinguistic Attitudes and Prestige of Urdu, Arabic, and English Languages in Pakistan
Abstract
This research article studies the existing stock of knowledge in order to understand the complexity of the sociolinguistic divide among Urdu, Arabic, and English languages for their perceptions and utilization across social sectors/domains, viz. religious, corporate, and education, etc. As language serves as a means of communication and identity. Correspondingly, Pakistan is no exception to this reality in this context, as it also represents social status and power in numerous forms. The significant importance of the Arabic language can be traced to its religious liturgical facts, which showcase spiritual authority. Likewise, the Urdu language represents cultural heritage and national identity and is symbolically a national language, whereas the English language, being a colonial remnant, represents economic opportunity, modernity, and education. Based on the existing information, the current research study also examines the historical or socio-political factors that contribute to shaping the attitude towards language, which makes Urdu literary tradition reputed even in the wake overshadowed practicality compared to English as the language offering global space. On the other hand, Arabic is not widely spoken but is considered an integral part of the religious curricula and is treated with immense respect for its spiritual offering. Consultation of published material reveals varying language preferences across the country with shifting settings (religious, academic, corporate, etc.). Urdu has been maintained for its cultural resonance, Arabic for its unparalleled spiritual cover, and corporate arena inclines towards English. English foreshadows Urdu for its perceived global reach, while Urdu is secondary albeit cultural significance. The outcomes of the research show that there is an intricate association between language, power, and identity in Pakistan. Deep-seated historical and cultural roots could be traced to attitudes toward language, varying pragmatic considerations, and perceptions towards language. This research article is a contribution to the field of sociolinguistics in a multilingual setting, which offers insights into ongoing linguistic conciliation.
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