Polite and Jatki Language: Evidence from Ethnography of Communication, A Case Study of JangliBoli in Pakistan

Abstract

The study is an ethnography of communication in a village in Jhang District of Pakistan. The present article displays one of the key findings of the study, which is the dichotomy of polite and impolite language usage, as described by the locals. The study employs qualitative ethnographic research methods. The theoretical framework of Dell Hymes has been employed for recording speech events in the locale. The study concludes that the categories of polite and impolite language exist in the speech community. The impolite, or locally called Jatki, language is preferred by the locals. This finding reflects on the social dynamics, cultural norms, and functionality of language as a cultural institution. The study illustrates how what might be considered impolite in one context can hold different meanings and functions in another, emphasising the diversity and richness of linguistic practices across cultures.