I am a young Hindko speaker, and I want to speak my language: Language Shift or Maintenance in a Multilingual City

Abstract

Karachi, a multilingual city with diverse cultures and indigenous communities, hosts a range of communities migrating from northern and rural areas. Upon settling in the city, many parents desire their children to attend English or Urdu medium schools to facilitate broader communication. Previous studies have indicated that indigenous communities in Karachi are shifting towards Urdu and English in these multilingual settings. Women, often the primary caretakers and language transmitters at home, play a significant role in maintaining native languages alongside male parents. This study investigated whether young female Hindko speakers are preserving their native language or shifting to Urdu and English. A qualitative case study was conducted, with data gathered from five female Hindko speakers through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were used, and the data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The results revealed that the Hindko speakers maintain their language in multilingual settings due to strong ties to their geographical and cultural roots. Their language patterns showed that Hindko is primarily maintained within the home domain, with speakers switching to other languages based on the social context. Furthermore, participants preserved their cultural identity through a deep connection to cultural values. These female Hindko speakers also employed strategies to raise awareness of their language use within the Hindko community. They are actively
promoting the language on digital platforms and through various indigenous language projects.