Reading Working Papers in Linguistics 4 (2000) - The University of ...

SOCIOLINGUISTIC VARIATION AND CHANGE IN URBAN INDIA
variables and the composite lexical variable were used by the four caste
groups in different ways to mark caste identity. This key finding of the Pune
study, far from affirming the notion of ‘caste dialects’, provides substantial
evidence for sociolinguistic change 5 in progress. The main observations in
this regard may be summarised as follows:
(1) The trend among the non-Brahmin children is one of increasing
convergence towards the standard dialect. The shift towards the standard
phonological and lexical features is led by the children of the Backward
caste group. The Maratha children were found to retain more vernacular
features. The sociolinguistic position of the Scheduled children in the Pune
data is more ambivalent: in the case of (ASPI_M_F) and (N) they occupy a
position that is intermediate between those of the Marathas and the
Backward castes. In the frequent non-standard use of the lexical items
included in the composite variable the Scheduled group children lag behind
the two other non-Brahmin groups.
Probable interpretations of the differential diffusion of the standard
dialect features among the non-Brahmins may be found in the social history
of the Marathi region. Commentators on contemporary Indian society agree
that there is an urgent desire for respectability among the Backward castes,
who for generations had been consigned to social denigration. These
sections of society are using language as well as the anonymity of city life to
discard their traditional caste status. The Scheduled group children appear to
be moving towards the linguistic standard along the same axes as the group
of Backward castes, but from a point farthest from the standard and from the
standard-speaking social group. The ambivalent pattern noted above in the
use of the standard linguistic variables by the Scheduled group children may
be a consequence of this social fact.
By contrast, the traditionally prestigious Marathas, who are known to
be proud of their high status in the traditional social order, do not appear to
feel as much pressure as the Backward and Scheduled groups to change their
speech in the direction of the accepted standard. Alternatively (and more
tentatively) it may be suggested that the prestigious Marathas (or the high
caste non-Brahmins) mark their position in opposition to the Brahmins by
shifting the least towards the standard dialect. So, we have here a case where
features of the non-standard dialect are being used as a ‘badge of identity’
5 The term ‘sociolinguistic change’ needs to be used here with some caution. No adult speakers of the language
were included in the study and hence no cross-generational comparative data could be generated. But using the
voluminous literature documenting caste differences in the language as a basis for comparison, the use of the
term becomes legitimate.
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