DECODING IDIOMS AND CULTURAL IDENTITY IN PAKISTAN: A LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF INDIGENOUS EXPRESSIONS

Abstract

This study explores the connection between idiomatic expressions in the indigenous languages of Pakistan, specifically Punjabi and Urdu, and their role in constructing and transmitting cultural identity. Using Neuliep's Cultural Identity Theory (2000) as a theoretical framework, the research examines idioms from Punjabi and Urdu, highlighting how these figurative expressions function as cultural markers. The data for this study was collected through interviews with 120 students from the Agriculture University of Faisalabad, Pakistan, with twenty participants from each language group—Punjabi and Urdu—providing insights into how idioms in their native languages serve as communication tools that reflect and shape cultural identity. The research methodology involved analyzing the idiomatic expressions through qualitative data gathered from the interviews to understand their significance in everyday discourse. The findings demonstrate that idioms play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting cultural values, especially in the context of globalization. Idioms from both languages reflect cultural themes such as resilience, family values, and communal bonds, deeply rooted in the historical and social experiences of these linguistic communities. This research contributes to understanding how language, particularly idioms, intertwines with cultural identity in Pakistan, offering broader implications for the role of linguistic diversity in shaping social dynamics in multilingual societies.