Preserving Linguistic Diversity: Uncovering Teachers and Students' attitudes towards Local Languages in Muzaffarabad

Abstract

This study examines the influential role of teachers’ attitudes in shaping students’ language preferences and uncovers the attitudes of teachers and students towards local languages,(Kashmiri and Hindko) revealing the complex dynamics driving language shift and endangerment. The accelerating pace of language shift poses a critical threat to the linguistic diversity in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The native languages of Muzaffarabad are confronted with a looming threat of endangerment amidst the dominant presence of Urdu and English in schools. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining questionnaires and interviews. Findings of the study reveal a significant shift in language use among younger generations. The research concludes that teachers’ negative attitude towards local languages is a primary driver of language shift and highlights the factors that are threatening linguistic diversity. Language preservation efforts should be made to avoid extinction of these languages by creating awareness among the communities about the vulnerability of their languages.