Are Some Dialects of Punjabi at the Verge of Death? A Sociolinguistic Study of Awankari

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to describe the low prestige feelings of Awankari dialect speakers. The Punjabi language has many dialects but Majhi is considered a standard dialect in Western Punjab. The other dialects like Potohari, Dhani, Shahpuri, Jatki, Ghebi have not achieved prestige and are still considered inferior by the speakers of central Punjab in Pakistan.  The study aims to investigate why some people feel low about their dialects and discourage their children to speak their native languages and local dialect. The data was collected from seventy native speakers of Awankari including government servants, businessmen, students and women who have left their native towns and moved to big cities. The study was conducted in a small village Jaba in Tehsil Naushera, Soon Sakesser Valley, District Khushab where these people have gathered on a wedding ceremony. Their mother tongue was Awankari and the data was collected through interview. The paper concludes with speculation about the possible death of Awankari. It also identified the dire need of dialect documentation of Awankari to preserve the language and culture of Soon Sakesser Valley and other areas where people speak this variety of Lahndi.