Language shift leading to phonemic shift in Pakistan: a case study of Pakistani Punjabi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36505/TheLinguisticProceedings/2025/16/01/011/000671Keywords:
language shift, phonemic shift, Punjabi language, English, exclusive identitiesAbstract
This paper investigates patterns of language shift resulting in phonemic shift in Pakistani Punjabi. The study explores how language endangerment and the loss of cultural heritage may contribute to the development of exclusive identities within Punjabi-speaking communities. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and open-ended interviews were conducted to examine shifts in Punjabi phonemes and their effects on individual identity. The findings revealed major changes in Punjabi vowel sounds, including deviations in nasalised sounds and significant shifts involving the vowel /æ/. The study contributes to a broader understanding of phonemic shift and language change in Pakistani Punjabi.
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