01 Multilingualism and Cross-gender Language Proclivity: A Sociolinguistic Perspective of Pakistan

Abstract

Gender, being a substantial dynamic in establishing the philosophy of language use, language ideology and difference in the process of language preference, is an irrefutable and prospective disposition of a given socio-linguistic fiber. Present study aims at investigating and analyzing the discernible socio-linguistic phenomenon of language preferences exhibited by varied gender categories in Pakistan. It is directed towards analyzing how gender along with other social factors plays its role in determining linguistic attitudes in social mosaic of Pakistan. Over two hundred people were chosen through convenient sampling technique from different cities of Pakistan in order to explore their opinion regarding given issue. Results of the study reveal that women tend to associate themselves with emblematic capital, English, for their societal standing and repute.