Language Shift from Lasi into Urdu: A Sociolinguistic Investigation of Lasbela Community in Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates sociolinguistic changes from Lasi to Urdu in the Lasi-speaking community of Lasbela District, Balochistan, Pakistan. The research examined the primary reasons and trends, along with the conclusions of this change, highlighting economic, sociocultural, educational, and linguistic factors responsible for it. A qualitative analysis was conducted, including semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals who speak Lasi as a native language from Hub and Karachi. Thematic analysis of the data collected identified the primary factors responsible for this change. This research has found that education, cross-cultural marriages, migration, job demands, and the dominance of Urdu in urban areas have contributed to a sustained decline in the use of the Lasi language among youth in these areas. The study suggests that the Lasi language is on the brink of extinction unless necessary measures are taken to preserve it. This study provides insights into broader dynamics of language change in multilingual societies in Pakistan.