“GLOBALIZATION AND HYBRID CULTURAL IDENTITY: A STUDY OF GLOBAL LANGUAGE CULTURE INFLUENCE ON LOCAL LANGUAGE CULTURE DYNAMICS IN FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN”

Abstract

This research analyzes how global flows affect local linguistic and cultural dynamics specifically through the influence of global English on Faisalabad-based Urdu and Punjabi languages in Pakistan. Utilizing a mixed-methods framework of quantitative analysis of social media engagement, thematic qualitative content analysis, and application of theoretical models from Bourdieu's symbolic capital and Bhabha's third-space hybridity, this study brings forth the ways in which English plays dual roles of both global symbolic capital and a locally based signifier of hybrid identity. The results identify that hybrid posts incorporating English and local languages greatly surpass mono-lingual posts in terms of engagement, signaling a robust symbolic capital in hybrid linguistic practices. Qualitative analyses find that there are clear-cut themes whereby Faisalabad's online communities oscillate between global dreams and local authenticity, formulating new hybrid identities. The hybrid way of communicating is most pronounced in the use of languages mediated by language, the use of symbolism in the visual use of language like emojis, and cultural interpretation. Although a few methodological limits are present, including the potential sampling biases and the specific socio-economic context of Faisalabad, the study emphasizes the active nature of the continuous identity negotiation occurring in digital third spaces. Future investigations are recommended across diverse online environments and comparative regional settings in order to enlarge relevance.