Does ‘literariness’ or ‘literary’ reside inside or outside language? These words are derived from the root word ‘literature’. Nevertheless, neither term is clearly defined, and both remain conceptually elusive even in dictionaries. For instance, although the word ‘anew’ does not radically change its meaning, there has been a gradual shift in its grammar and orthography. […]
language
The Language of Diplomacy
Diplomacy, not war, is the only viable path forward. Yet, applying excessive pressure on one side risks undoing what has already been accomplished. Nevertheless, it is encouraging that both sides seem genuinely committed to pursuing an agreement with good intent. The central question remains: how do they reach an agreement, particularly in an environment marked […]
The Language Gen Z Live By
While listening carefully to the everyday conversations of university students in Pakistan, we will hear a language that was unintelligible almost a decade ago. In an ethnographic study of Pakistani Gen Z speakers born between 1997 and 2012, we invited college and university students from Lahore and Islamabad to share expressions they regularly use in […]
Pakistan Needs the Language of Ecology
Language shapes our perception and, in a way, influences our actions. Pakistan is blessed with extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity, yet we have to fully harness this “linguistic capital” to cultivate ecological awareness. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made notable progress. However, progress on the […]
Losing the Language of Civility
Something important has slipped out of our public life, and it’s not just money, electricity, or jobs, though those are often missing too. What has truly vanished is basic civility which is the simple art of treating others with respect, speaking kindly and showing patience. It’s not a small thing. The way we treat one […]
Mind your language
It seems like Naya Pakistan has even less to offer in terms of change than previously thought. Even the political discourse is as crass and uncouth as ever. In fact, now the premier of the country himself is stooping to below the belt remarks which previous Prime Ministers (PMs) would not. Recently PM Imran Khan […]