Language and Society in Gilgit-Baltistan by Ijlal Hussainpur

Language and Society in Gilgit-Baltistan

Author: Ijlal Hussainpur
Binding: Paperback
Category: Sociolinguistics, Linguistics, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Pakistan Studies
Recommended For:
Researchers, students, linguists, anthropologists, educators, and readers interested in the languages, culture, and social dynamics of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Key Points with Brief Descriptions:

• Rich Linguistic Landscape:
  Pakistan is home to around 70 languages, with Gilgit-Baltistan hosting languages from three major language families—Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, and Turkic—along with the unique Burushaski language isolate.

• First-of-its-Kind Study:
  The only available comprehensive account of language use in the Burushaski and Shina languages, combining historical, social, and cultural analysis.

• Historical and Cultural Influences:
  Explores centuries of cultural contact with China, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and the subcontinent, shaping the linguistic diversity of the region.

• Language in Social Contexts:
  Based on primary data, examines how people use language to express politeness, deference, and affection across cultures.
  Example: The study reveals how address inversion in Arabic, Burushaski, and Shina is used to show affection.

• Impact of Modernization:
  Analyzes how powerful languages and modernization processes are changing traditional language practices in Gilgit-Baltistan.

• Methodological Guidance:
  Offers valuable guidelines for conducting similar sociolinguistic research in other multilingual regions.

• Expert Endorsement:
  Praised by Dr. Tariq Rahman, Dean, School of Education, Beaconhouse National University, as a significant contribution to language research in Pakistan.