THE ANATOMY OF SOCIOLINGUISTIC MANIPULATION: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF HYPOCRISY AND SOCIAL DOMINANCE IN PAKISTANI DRAMA SHARPASAND

Abstract

This study investigates a comprehensive Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of the Pakistani television series Shar Pasand, concentrating on the sociolinguistic construction of hypocrisy within the domestic sphere. Farasat Ali's language and signs over the course of 52 episodes in attempt to figure out the "Anatomy of Hypocrisy." and find out how language that focuses on status is used as a weapon to keep men in charge and hide domestic abuse.The study employs a dual-theoretical framework in its methods. Initially, it employs Fairclough's (1995) Three-Dimensional Model, focusing on the first layer (Textual Analysis) to examine conversational dominance and pronominal choices, and the third layer (Social Practice) to explore the overarching patriarchal beliefs governing South Asian households. The second part of the study explores at the "Name Plate" as an important multimodal signifier of power using Kress and van Leeuwen's (2020) Social Semiotics. By looking at this physical object as a semiotic resource, the study shows how nonverbal symbols reinforce the main character's public persona of Usool (principles) and Izzat (honour).The analysis indicates that Farasat Ali establishes a household hierarchy using a "Sociolinguistic Siege," which is a systematic blend of high-prestige discourse and visual semiotic signals. But the data demonstrate that this constant reliance on symbolic status instead of relational reality will eventually terminate on its own. By the end of Episode 52, the main character's speech has created a "Semantic Void," which means that they are completely alone socially and mentally. This work moves the field of media linguistics forward by showing how the "Name Plate" is a static sign of virtue and how family conflict is always changing. In the end, the study gives us a good idea of how reputation-based hypocrisy can lead to the breakdown of the family unit.