A Case Study of Endangered Vocabulary in Chilasi Dialect of the Shina Language

Abstract

The importance of language is evident in everyday life as it is not only helpful in communication, but it also helps in preserving the traditions and the cultures of its native speakers. It is considered the best method to preserve culture of a community as it contains the knowledge of syntax, semantics and pragmatics. However, in our country, the two major languages English and Urdu have declared a war against the regional languages. To survive, they are accepting new words from these languages. As a result, the local languages are in risk of becoming extinct due to the loss of vocabulary over time. The focus of the researcher was on the Shina language and its dying vocabulary in the Chilasi dialect. The study aimed to identify endangered words in the Chilasi dialect of the Shina language for the purpose of their preservation and documentation. The research was qualitative and descriptive in nature, and the study population was made up of native speakers from both the old and young generations. To achieve this, the researcher prepared two questionnaires for two different generations of Shina language speakers in the Chilasi dialect. The GIDS model was applied to the language to determine the stage of language endangerment. The questionnaire comprised the same questions for both generations, and, by comparing their responses, conclusions were drawn. The aim of the study was to preserve and document the endangered or extinct words of the language and suggest some ways to preserve and promote the language. It was showed that the older generation is not much influenced by any of the dominant languages as the only language they can speak is Shina. The present study indicated that Shina language might be shift or dead in future if it is not documented properly.