Aligarh Journal of Linguistics

ALIGARH JOURNAL OF LINGUISTICS

Volume No. 13, 2023-2024

EDITORIAL

It gives me immense pleasure to present before you the volume thirteen of the Aligarh Journal of Linguistics (AJL-13) and at the same time we are extremely happy that this volume is being released on 20th November 2023 at inaugural session of the 45th International Conference of Linguistic Society of India at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. AJL is concerned with all branches of linguistics and provides space for showcasing the diverse areas of research in contemporary linguistics. Constant efforts are made to ameliorate the academic quality of the journal where scientific quality, scholarly rigor and original contributions to scholarship are the only criteria that we have followed in the selection of papers accepted for publication. In this volume, there are 13 papers addressing varying and divergent areas of linguistic research.

The first paper in this volume by Didla Grace Suneetha delves on forensic phonetic implications of the indexical features in profiling speakers. She discusses how ‘acoustic and phonetic features’ of an individual’s speech can be utilized in profiling her/his voice. The second paper by Kubindra Tripura and Bipasha Patgiri presents a detailed analysis of the consonant phonotactics within syllables in a lesser-known Tripuri variety, Dendok spoken in the north-eastern state of Tripura, Assam and parts of Bangladesh. The third paper by Mona Parakh discusses the lexico-semantic aspects of the vectors in Gujrati compound verbs using concepts from Cognitive linguistics. The fourth paper by Abhijeet Satsangi and Sanjukta Ghosh shows that ‘shields’ form the most ubiquitous type of ‘hedges’ used by Hindi scholars in their ‘abstracts’ of research papers. The next paper by Jeena S. Nair and S. A. Shanavas describes the phonological and lexical features of Malayalam Baby Talk register. The sixth paper by Rajneesh Arora and Aroma Kharshiing tells us how the interpretations of texts is influenced by cultural orientations. By employing Critical Discourse Analysis, they show that multiple interpretations can be deciphered by digging deeper into the text. In the seventh paper, Yantsubeni Ngullie and Barika Khyriem explore the deep and intricate relationship that exists between language and culture by analyzing the classifiers and measure terms in Lotha, a Naga language spoken in the northeastern state of Nagaland. The eighth paper by Prerana Suman and Rahul N Mhaiskar presents a comparison of the kinship terms in three related languages, Magahi, Bhojpuri and Maithili. He also provides the linguistic, cultural, social and geographical factors that account for the similarities/dissimilarities in these three languages. The ninth paper by Dhananjay Kumar Tiwari and Abhinav Kumar Mishra draws our attention to the ‘plain language movement in judiciary’ that advocates for simplification of legal language to make it comprehensible to common citizen. The tenth paper by Gordon D. Dkhar reports how Khasi-English code-switching in social media sites navigates various pragmatic and social functions, especially individual’s educational identity as English being the official language of Meghalaya, is iconic with educational attainment and literacy. In the last paper, Saima Jan presents a comprehensive account of the modes of address in Kashmiri that displays the complex relationship between language and culture.

There are two short papers included in the Notes and Discussions section that engage with two lesser-known languages of North-East India. Samir Debbarma discusses the rich derivational affixes that are utilized in the word-formation processes in Kokborok, a language spoken in Tripura. Asifa Begum presents an analysis of the phonology of Champang, an endangered language found in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. This volume also includes a review of the book “Language Development: Individual Differences in a Social Context” by Mehvish Mohsin.

I think AJL has a lot to offer and I am sure, readers will find this volume interesting, insightful and useful, and encourage other researchers to consider AJL for publishing their novel research. I must express my sincere gratitude to all the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments, suggestions and help in ensuring the academic standard and timely publication of the journal. I would be failing in my duties if I do not acknowledge the diligence and dedication of our editors Masood Ali Beg and Nazrin B. Laskar, and others involved in the publication of AJL.

M J Warsi

Editor-in-Chief

13.11.2023

Author(s): Didla Grace Suneetha

Keywords: Indexical features, Speaker profiling, Forensic phonetics

Abstract: Speech is the crowning glory of humans, and this is what sets us apart from the animal world. Judging people based on their speech is an intuitive activity that we as humans carry out routinely. Speech signals not just the linguistic messages but also the indexical properties of the speaker. When a person speaks, it is invariably laden with a host of individual identifying markers – personal, social, geographical, ethnic, and emotional, to name a few – which assist us in profiling speakers effortlessly. These individual identifying markers, otherwise referred to as indexical features, serve various purposes in our everyday lives. The indexical information is widely used in clinical profiling, psychological profiling, criminal profiling and more recently, it has spread its wings to other disciplines such as speech synthesis and artificial intelligence. The focus of this paper is on the forensic phonetic implications of the indexical features in profiling speakers. ‘Speaker profiling’ in forensic phonetics refers to the process of analyzing and characterizing various acoustic and phonetic features of an individual’s speech to create a profile of their voice. This voice profile is used in criminal investigations to determine whether a particular individual is a likely source of incriminating speech samples such as recorded conversations, voice messages, or anonymous threats that might be crucial pieces of evidence. Researchers in the past few decades have voiced their opinions on the robustness of these voice features in criminal profiling. This paper gives an overview of the area of speaker profiling in the forensic phonetic context using a three-fold approach: 1) Providing an overview of the classification of the indexical markers embedded in speech based on various frameworks, 2) Reviewing the perceptual and acoustic correlates of the indexical markers (with specific reference to age and gender), and 3) underscoring the significance of these indexical markers in forensic phonetic context.

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Author(s): Kubindra Tripura, Bipasha Patgiri

Keywords: Phonotactics, Clusters, Syllables, Sesqui-Syllables

Abstract:
The primary objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive account of the consonant phonotactics within the syllable inherent in the Dendok variety of the Tripura language. The Tripura language is mostly spoken in the state of Tripura in Northeastern India, as well as in scattered locations within the Karimganj district of Assam. Additionally, it is also spoken in the capital city of Dhaka and the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. This article primarily examines the Dendok variety of the Tripura language, which is predominantly spoken in the Khagrachari and Rangamati districts of Bangladesh. From an ethnic standpoint, it can be observed that Tripuris, who belong to the Mongoloid race, identify themselves as 'Tiprasa' (historically derived from the term Tuiprasa) or the Tripura community. The language exhibits genetic affinity with Bodo, Garo, Rabha, Dimasa, and Tiwa, all of which belong to the "Bodo-Garo" or "Garo-Koch" group of the Tibeto-Burman (henceforth TB) language family. In this paper, the consonant inventory and phonotactic patterns have been examined. It investigates the typological parallels between the Tripura language and other notable TB languages.

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Author(s): Mona Parakh

Keywords: Corpus-driven, Gujarati, Complex-Predicates, Vector verbs, Compound verbs

Abstract:
 The present paper is a study of the lexico-semantic aspects of the vectors in Gujarati Compound Verbs using concepts from Cognitive linguistics. The polysemy found in the verbs when used as Main verbs and as vectors has been discussed using notions of prototype, image schema and metaphorical extension. The study uses data from a POS annotated Gujarati Corpus to analyse the polysemous aspects of verb usage. The present study is part of an ongoing research and is therefore, limited in scope. It focuses on the restrictions on CV combinations for the verbs le ‘take’ and de ‘give’ which are among the top five most frequently occurring vectors in the corpus. The method proposed for the study of these two verbs can be used to analyse polysemy in other verbs that results from the literal and metaphoric usages of those verbs.

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Author(s): Abhijeet Satsangi, Sanjukta Ghosh

Keywords: Hedging, Academic writing, Abstract, Pragmatic functions, Contextual analysis

Abstract: In Linguistics, Hedges are those linguistic expressions that mitigate the strength of an assertion and present it with uncertainty and caution. The present study aims to investigate how Indian scholars writing in Hindi employ hedges in the abstract section of their research paper. It tries to find out the types of hedges, their frequencies, and the pragmatic functions catered by them found in Hindi academic writings. In this regard, a corpus of 30 Hindi research articles was selected randomly from open-access and peer-reviewed Hindi journals available online (published during 2020-2022) in the domain of Humanities and Social Sciences. The abstract sections of the selected papers were analysed quantitatively and contextually to find out the types of hedges, their frequencies, and their pragmatic functions. After the analysis, hedges were categorised as per the proposed framework, largely employing Prince et al. (1982) framework for hedges. The results show that shields are the most prevalent type of hedges in the corpus. To be more specific, plausibility shields were the most frequent types of hedges, followed by attribution shields, vagueness markers, politeness markers, rounders, and adaptors. Agentless passive constructions were preferred more than the active voice while presenting the findings and claims by the authors. The main pragmatic functions of hedging were showing a lack of commitment, evading anticipated criticism, signalling impreciseness, vagueness, and politeness.

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Author(s): Jeena S Nair, S A Shanavas

Keywords: Baby-Talk, Acquisition, Language development

Abstract::Acquisition of language has always been a mystifying phenomenon. It is a journey that starts in the womb and continues throughout the childhood. During this period the learner faces a vast array of challenges to acquire the language. There is a mystery about how the child masters the complex rules of language. Language Acquisition is a typical human capacity. It is a natural process by which children acquire their native language. Language is not genetically transmitted but acquired from the environment. The first language or mother tongue is acquired automatically and unconsciously, but the second language is learned consciously with efforts. This paper is an attempt to analyse the phonological and lexical features of Baby Talk with special reference to the Malayalam language.

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Author(s): Rajneesh Arora, Aroma Kharshiing

Keywords: Language, Gender, Identity, Discourse, Critical language awareness

Abstract: Authentic materials for English language teaching, as we are aware, are texts which are not created for ESL/EFL learners. This paper looks at some authentic materials such as media texts critically in order to explore the cultural models at work and discourses they subscribe to. It employs a critical discourse analysis approach to examine different kind of texts in order to reveal hidden discourses in them. It also discusses how learners can be trained in systematic evaluation of the materials to study and understand the hidden meanings present in the texts and develop a kind of resistance preventing their own oppression and loss of their identities. In this way learners can also look at their encounters with texts as opportunities to learn about other cultures resulting in a renewed interest and an increased understanding of their own cultures. To achieve this, it is recommended that a component of critical language awareness has to be included in the curriculum. This is most important as it is virtually impossible to restrict or place controls on students’ exposure to the countless texts they run into in the Digital Age.

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Author(s): Yantsubeni Ngullie, Barika Khyriem

Keywords: Classifiers, Sortal, Mensural, Measure terms, Lotha, Naga, Tibeto-Burman, Nagaland

Abstract: Lotha, is a language spoken in Wokha district of the State of Nagaland, in the North-Eastern region of India. Lotha, has a numeral classifier system that employs a system of classifiers dividing them into two primary categories: sortal and mensural. Morphologically classifiers in Lotha function as independent lexemes and affixes, and fall under the constituent order of N [CL-NUM]. Within the sortal category, classifiers are further categorized, based on animacy, distinguishing between animate and inanimate nouns. Lotha utilizes two interchangeable sortal classifiers for human nouns: otsək and ntʃə, which can be simultaneously employed. When it comes to non-human, Lotha does not utilize classifiers for livestock; instead, it employs the term mbem specifically for deceased non-humans. Mensural classifiers in Lotha serve as measure terms and are semantically categorized into three subtypes: Quantitative, Collective, and Divisive measure terms. Quantitative measure terms quantify groups or individuals using numerical standards. Divisive measure terms, on the other hand, indicate portions or fragments of individual objects or masses. In terms of shape classification, Lotha distinguishes between extended (long and flat) and non-extended (round) shapes.

This work provides a rigorous yet accessible overview of classifiers and measure terms in Lotha. It illuminates the complex system of sortal and mensural classifiers, shedding light on their subtle categorization and usage.

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Author(s): Prerana Suman, Rahul N Mhaiskar

Keywords: Ethnolinguistics study, Kinship terms, Magahi, Maithili, Bhojpuri

Abstract: This paper aims to study the terminologies employed by individuals in Bihar to denote kinship and to contrast them across the three major languages spoken in the region, namely Maithili, Magahi, and Bhojpuri. Languages share many linguistics features, but regional differences exist. The primary subject of investigation pertains to the organisation of kinship. The purpose of this comparative study is to identify linguistic similarities and variations in kinship terms, as well as to investigate the underlying reasons for such variations.

The three languages examined used the Sudanese system (Murdock, 1949) or descriptive system (Morgan, 1871) due to their involvement in the Indian Kinship system. Indian kinship patterns are patrilineal and patrilocal. These systems show significant variety in nomenclature among distinct linguistic, cultural, and regional groups (Karve, 1953). The three systems' consanguineal kinship nomenclature for both genders and younger age groups was similar.

Magahi showed intergenerational kinship variations in phonology, lexicon, and semantics, while Bhojpuri and Maithili showed only phonology and lexicon. Comparatively, Maithili had many lexical variants.

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Author(s): Dhananjay Kumar Tiwari, Abhinav Kumar Mishra

Keywords: Legalese, Plain language movement, Legal language, Legal English

Abstract: Professionals in common law have adopted a very conservative style of writing over the years (Mellinkoff, 1963; Davy & Crystal, 19669; William, 2005, Mattila, 2006). The plain language movement is an ongoing literary movement against the complex writing style of legal professionals, usually called "legalese," which is often criticized and condemned due to its linguistic features and stylistics. There are two important demands that invite the attention of researchers. The first one is to simplify archaic, already existing legal texts into a simple and modern language so that a person with average intelligibility of the particular language can comprehend them easily. Second, the new statutes and insurance policies should be written in consumer-friendly language (plain language). Both demands entail the simplification of legal language so that public participation in the legal system can be determined. Recently, the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Justice of India, in a joint conference (2022), stressed the simplification of legal language so that the public participation and accessibility of commons in the legal system could be determined, ultimately strengthening faith in the legal procedures. This article aims to investigate the historical development of the plain language movement and its efficacy in the legal system. Examining the background of the movement, our aim is to show the recent development of the plain language movement. The article also delves into the reasons for the movement, particularly in the Indian legal system. Apart from this, some hidden forces that criticize the movement have been brought to light that oppose any kind of linguistic liberalism in the legal system.

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Author(s): Gordon D. Dkhar

Keywords: Code-switching; code-mixing; Khasi; Computer-Mediated Communication

Abstract: This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the code-switching and code-mixing behavior of the Khasis in computer-mediated communication (CMC). The study's primary goals are to: (1) describe the patterns and frequency of language use in Khasi CMC; (2) categorize the types of code-switching observed in specific text segments; and (3) infer the functional aspects of code mixing in Khasi CMC. To investigate the impact of L2 (English) in code-mixing and code-switching in a completely homogenous Khasi group page, two Facebook groups, KLHT and SKUS, were created. All participants (n=50) are members of the Khasi ethnic tribe, and the language used for communication is their native tongue (Khasi, the standard variety). Data consisting of Facebook posts, commentaries, and replies to comments was collected and analyzed for code-mixing and code-switching. The findings show that English code-switching is common in Khasi CMC, with tag code-switching being the most productive type of code-switching used by the participants compared to inter-sentential or intra-sentential code-switching. Finally, English code-switching in Khasi CMC is found to be essential due to the various functional roles it serves in identity construction and affecting communicative strategies.

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Author(s): Saima Jan

Keywords: Addressing modes, Community, Communicative event, Interlocutors, Social variables.

Abstract: Constructing social associations among individuals is the foremost step to every communicative event. Modes of address are considered as one of the speech acts which facilitate the establishment of social relationships. The different ways in which the associations between speaker and hearer are created in any communicative event are referred to as addressing modes. In any society, different modes of address play a vital role for the identification of an individual. The employability of these addressing terms depends upon age, gender, social rank and various other social variables associated with the persons involved in any communicative situation. The choice or selection and the use of any addressing term used by the addresser to address an addressee are primarily perceived by the relationship/s that exists between the interlocutors. Modes of address, thus, acting as the valuable aspect of interface between language and society, provide vital sociolinguistic data about the interlocutors, the relationship existing between them and their status. Therefore, the present paper is an attempt to analyze various addressing terminologies existing in the Kashmiri speech community.

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Author(s): Samir Debbarma

Keywords: Bodo-Garo, Kokborok, Derivational, Suffix

Abstract: Kokborok is one of the Bodo-Garo languages spoken mainly in Tripura. The Kokborok speakers call themselves Tiprasa. The aim of this paper is to describe the process of derivation in Kokborok language. Kokborok employs two types of affixation: prefixation and suffixation. The derivational prefixes are {kV-}, {a-, nV- bV-}, {phV-, mV-, sV-}, while derivational suffixes are {-ma}, {-mung}, {-mari}, {-nai}, {-khai},{-masingsa},{-phang}and many others. Kokborok being an agglutinative language, affixation, particularly suffixation, plays a significant role in deriving new words from existing words.

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Author(s): Asifa Begum

Keywords: Phonology, Champang, Tangsa Naga, Tibeto-Burman

Abstract: This paper discusses the phonology of an endangered Tibeto-Burman language, called Champang, spoken in the Northeastern region of India. This is the first description of the phonology of the language in a comprehensive manner. This paper aims to highlight the various phonological aspects found in the language in a detailed and descriptive way. It presents a synchronic analysis of the language by describing its segmental phonology, phonotactics and tones. Use of aspirated consonants and consonant clusters is very limited in Champang. Besides, the discovery of tones in the language is an important development in the study of the language.

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