Examining the Impact of Urdu on the Saraiki Language

Abstract

The overall aim of the current study is to explore the influence of Urdu language on the use of Saraiki Language (a regional language of Pakistan). This research aims to achieve the following three objectives: to investigate the sources of code-mixing between Saraiki and Urdu in D.I. Khan region, to explore the attitude of Saraiki speakers in Dera Ismail Khan (D.I. Khan) towards the influence of Urdu on their native language, and to identify the factors that are responsible for the decline in the use of Saraiki language in D.I. Khan. To achieve the above aims, a quantitative research design was employed. A closed-ended questionnaires was utilized to collect the data regarding participants’ language usage, attitudes, preferences, and proficiency among Urdu and Saraiki speakers. The population of the study is comprised of speakers of Urdu and Saraiki languages in D.I. Khan (both local and non-local residents) and the students and faculty members of Qurtuba University of Science and Technology, D.I. Khan, Gomal University D.I. Khan, Government College No. 3 D.I. Khan, Government College No. 1 D.I. Khan, and University of Science & Technology Bannu. While the study recruited 50 participants including teachers and students. Data were analyzed through statistical methods, including mean, median, standard deviation, and t-tests. The results of this study indicate that Urdu language has a significant influence on Saraiki language. The factors that contribute to this influence include language support at home, language learning environment, attitude towards language, users’ language choice, language transmission practices, language self-efficacy, language self-identity, shame in language speaking, levels of satisfaction, government policies and institutional support, lack of financial motivation, the present status of the language, and Saraiki dead words. The study found that language support at home, language learning environment, and attitudes towards language were significant factors in determining the influence of Urdu on Saraiki. The study successfully elucidated various determinants behind Saraikis, notably the pervasive negative attitudes towards the language, insufficient governmental advocacy, and the overarching perception of Saraiki as subordinate to Urdu. The study offered various implications and recommendations for future studies.