GEN TEFL Journal Volume 3 (2018)
E-ISSN 2520 209X
A Sociolinguistic Overview of the Hindi Language
Chhayankdhar Singh Rathore, Soka University, Japan
This paper provides a sociolinguistic overview of Hindi with focus on the interaction between the Hindi language and sociolinguistic variables such as the geography, ethnicity, social class, and gender. The paper begins with an overview of the multilingual landscape of India through an introduction to the various language families and their constituent languages that are spoken in India as accounted in the various censuses conducted so far. Subsequently, the paper explores the manifestation of various sociolinguistic variables in the use of Hindi. Language and geography provides the geographical distribution of Hindi and its major dialects. Language and ethnicity focusses on the various tribal populations of India, their mother tongues, and the linguistic challenges faced by these populations. Language and social class examines the code-switching habits of the English-educated upper class of India. Finally, language and gender analyses the manifestation of gender in Hindi in terms of syntax and grammar, and the pragmatics of language use.
Date of Publication: 15 December 2018
E-ISSN 2520 209X
A Sociolinguistic Overview of the Hindi Language
Chhayankdhar Singh Rathore, Soka University, Japan
This paper provides a sociolinguistic overview of Hindi with focus on the interaction between the Hindi language and sociolinguistic variables such as the geography, ethnicity, social class, and gender. The paper begins with an overview of the multilingual landscape of India through an introduction to the various language families and their constituent languages that are spoken in India as accounted in the various censuses conducted so far. Subsequently, the paper explores the manifestation of various sociolinguistic variables in the use of Hindi. Language and geography provides the geographical distribution of Hindi and its major dialects. Language and ethnicity focusses on the various tribal populations of India, their mother tongues, and the linguistic challenges faced by these populations. Language and social class examines the code-switching habits of the English-educated upper class of India. Finally, language and gender analyses the manifestation of gender in Hindi in terms of syntax and grammar, and the pragmatics of language use.
Date of Publication: 15 December 2018
