Language, Culture, and Social Relations: Metapragmatic Awareness of Condolences in the Pahari Language

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Language and culture influence each other and impact the performance of social relations. The research identifies the socio-cultural way of expressing condolences in the Pahari language and factors for attitudinal shift toward expressing condolences by younger and older speakers.

Methodology: Following Silverstein’s theoretical framework for studying language, culture, and meta-pragmatics, interviews are conducted with Pahari speakers to identify factors contributing to attitudinal shifts, and condolence messages are collected from 60 speakers to identify variations in expressing condolences.

Findings: The younger generation has moved far from their traditional socio-cultural way of performing social relations.  They use fewer speech acts for providing sympathy, emotional support for the bereaved, and eulogy for the deceased in comparison with older speakers who are more expressive and provide more empathy.

Conclusion: It is found that the Pahari language is on the verge of endangerment because of the factors, including migration, tourism, absence of its promotion, unavailability of religious sermons in the Pahari language, its absence at educational institutions and the workplace, and the prestige associated with the Urdu and English languages. These factors impact the way younger and older speakers express condolences in their socio-cultural setting. Older speakers use speech acts which express concern through directives, help, express wishful thinking, give an explanation before offering sympathy, provide sympathy for the receiver, and offer a eulogy for the deceased, inquire about a happening, and share a similar experience. Contrastingly, younger speakers either remain silent or use speech acts to express sympathy, provide eulogy for the deceased, and express wishful thinking.