The Situation of Urdu in the Linguistic Landscape: AnAnalysisofInter-Linguistic Interactions

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamic linguistic landscape of Urdu inthecontextofinterlingual interactions, focusing on the impact of globalization, multilingualism, andsocio-cultural transformations. Traditionally seen as a marker of SouthAsianculturalidentity, Urdu today is undergoing significant shifts due to contact withEnglishandregional languages, as well as exposure to digital media. The study analyzesemerginglinguistic phenomena such as code-switching, lexical borrowing, andhybridization,highlighting their role in the evolutionary trajectory of Urdu. It also examines howUrdu,while being influenced by other languages, exerts a reciprocal cultural andlinguisticimpact, particularly in media and popular discourse. Furthermore, the increasingvisualpresence of Urdu in public and commercial spaces opens newavenues for researchinsemiotic and urban linguistics. The paper concludes by advocatingforaninterdisciplinary approach to Urdu studies that incorporates contemporarylinguistictheories and promotes scholarly engagement with Urdu's evolving identityinaglobalized world.