A SOCIOLINGUISTIC SURVEY OF PASHTU COMMUNITY IN PRESENT DAY KASHMIR

The main objective of this study was to understand the sociolinguistic situation of Pashtu community in present day Kashmir. Other objective was to understand the impact of Urdu and Kashmiri on Pashtu. The study was aimed at a comprehensive sociolinguistic account of Pashtu speakers in Kashmir valley. The study examined various features associated with the Pashtuns of Kashmir. As a minority community Pashtuns have been living in Kashmir from past 150 years and have been successful somehow in settling as groups in various districts of Kashmir valley. Inspite of being a minority community, Pashtuns have maintained their language and culture and have kept themselves distinct from the mainstream society. In this sociolinguistic study, it was interesting to note that Pashtuns in Kashmir although very conscious about Pashtu language and identity have somehow been influenced by their contact with Kashmiri majority in particular and the global society in general. This study has shown that education among youth is fostering positive attitudes towards the use of Kashmiri and Urdu.