An Analysis of Reduplication in the Shina Language through the Lens of Morphological Doubling Theory

Authors

  • Muhammad Zaman Lecturer, Department of English, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences & Technology, Karachi
  • Abdul Majeed Lecturer, Department of English, Sindh Agriculture University Campus Umerkot, Sindh
  • Mahboob Ali Naper Lecturer, Department of English, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari, Karachi

Abstract

This study examines the morphological characteristics of the Shina language, which is spoken in several northern regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Shina is an Indo-Aryan language utilized in various regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan; nevertheless, it remains unrecorded and lacks recognition as an official or regional language by authorities.  Reduplication in the Shina language, analyzed via the lens of morphological doubling theory, has been used to investigate the roles of Total reduplication, Partial or Echo Reduplication, and Non-Sensical Reduplication in Shina. The researcher purposefully collected data through random observation of vernacular speakers of the Shina language, noting examples such as /bal-bel/ for 'altogether' (Total Reduplication) and /Musha-Chey/ for 'husband-wife' (Partial Reduplication). The results indicated that Shina is still spoken in certain regions of Pakistan, which is characterized by a significant presence of reduplications in the daily discourse of the local speech communities.

Keywords: Reduplication; Total Reduplication; Partial Reduplication; Non-sensical Reduplication; Shina Language; Morphological Doubling Theory

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Published

2025-02-05

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): Liberal Journal of Language & Literature Review

Section

Articles