Exploring Role of Language in Constructing Individual Identities: A Case Study of Sindh, Pakistan
Shazia Khokhar, Dr Shumaila Memon, Khushbakhat Siddique

Abstract
Language plays significant role in shaping individual identities and in distinguishing how one group is different from another group. Although a group may distinguish itself by its racial features, the type of dress its members wear, the food they eat, the houses they build or the group’s totem, insignia, tattoos and specific practices, it is the language that distinguishes groups of people most precisely. This paper examines role of language in constructing individual identities in Pakistani context with a focus on how people leave their indigenous languages and choose any other powerful language to construct their identity. Main areas of this study are how language and different factors (historical, social, global, political etc) are responsible for making individual identities. Uniqueness of this paper lies in its investigation in this field and overview of different literary concepts on the topic. Due to nature of the research in the field, data was collected through questionnaires and interviews from the people belonging to different parts of Sindh. The results found that the way people speak multi languages in different contexts reflect their individual identity. Thus, this research may provide foundation for understanding the roles of language in constructing identities.

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