DEVIATION OR INNOVATION: AN EXPLORATION OF GENDERED LEXICAL CHOICES AMONG GENERATION ALPHA IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Language is a vibrant system that frequently emerges, as every generation molds its lexical and semantic value according to its collective experiences. In multilingual societies such as Pakistan, succeeding generations form linguistic practices through media, education, and peer influence. Sociolinguistics grounds provide solid acumen into how language variation reflects deviation vs innovation. This study focuses on exploring the gendered lexical choices used by Generation Alpha in Pakistan, to determine whether these linguistic patterns represent deviation from standard/traditional lexical norms or a buildup of innovative language practices. It further pursues to understand how lexical choices are influenced by gender in socio-contextual adaption. The research explores how Generation Alpha elucidates gender identities through everyday lexical choices by applying theoretical frameworks of “William Labov’ (1972)” sociolinguistic variation theory and “Deborah Cameron’s” (1992) work on language and gender. To execute the process, this search has utilized the parallel coinciding mixed-method approach. A questionnaire survey of 100 respondents was conducted from students aged 10 to 18 from 4 different private school in Gujrat, 25 students from each school. The findings have indicated that Generation Alpha does not only deviate from standard linguistic forms but they fervently innovate new lexical forms that sharply reflect their gender and identity. The study contributes to the broader field of Sociolinguistics and Gender Studies by exuberating link between language shift, youth comfort and gender based lexical representation.