Pakistan is a country with more than one identity and ethnicity which include the language and culture as the two factors highlighted in the article. Language is characteristic of the outflow of culture. It is a way of conveying values, customs, cultures, and traditions. It has a significant social duty and maintains group identity and solidarity. It is the method by which culture and its practices and qualities might be passed on and protected. Cultural and linguistic diversity is an element of most countries as people belonging to different backgrounds stay together due to historic migrations and events. The preservation of all the ethnic, indigenous, and native languages is very intense and important for the protection of cultural and linguistic heritage.
The loss of a language means the loss of culture or cultural identity. In numerous societies and nations oppression towards minority dialects or languages is used to oppress or diminish minority cultures. The outcome is that many languages in the world are lost in the process of colonization and modernization. The implementation usage of native dialects and cultures is important for individual and group identity. Pakistan is also a multilingual and multicultural nation and state. In this globalized world linguistic abilities reinforce worldwide ties and cultivate social and cultural trade. Without language, no culture can support or maintain its identity and reality. One’s language is one’s character, identity, and personality. One mother language plays a significant part in forming one’s character just as their psychological development, thoughts, and emotions.
Each society has its own way of living and distinctive norms on which society moves forward. There are specific rules and laws which are followed by all the individuals who create a society and make them and their culture different and unique from others. This way of life is set up by the individuals who live respectively and stick to certain standards in society. Pakistan has rich and one-of-a-kind culture, with many cultural practices, food, and landmarks; traditions inherited from the rule of Muslim Mughals and Afghan emperors.
Pakistan is an Islamic Republic hence it follows Islamic rules, laws, and regulations. The main idea behind Pakistan was to gain a land where the Indian Muslims could lead their lives in accordance with their religion without restrictions; Pakistan is a land of a rich, colorful, and distinctive culture. All four provinces Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and KPK, are full of different and beautiful traditions, art, fashion, literature, cuisine, and festivals. The national dress of Pakistan is ‘Shalwar Kameez’. The dresses have a variety of colors, styles, and types of fabrics. In contemporary Pakistan, the fashion and clothing culture is now a mix of traditional and modern dresses. Pakistan has a wide variety of music. The music is available in diverse and many forms like provincial folk music, Gazals, and Qawwalis. Music has too mixed and fused with traditional and modern music.
Pakistan is a blend of many different cultures. Pakistani culture is the hub of Persian, Afghan, South Asian, Central Asian, and Western Asian cultures. Almost 15 different ethnic groups reside here; all of them have different body postures, features, bloodlines, customs, traditions, and origins. Some of the 3 m are Punjabis, Balochis, Pashtuns, Sindhi’, Makranis, Kashmiris, Balti, and Hazara. Other than different ethnic backgrounds the religion of the state that is Islam has also molded Pakistani culture. We cannot say that there is one culture in Pakistan because if you visit any city or area of Pakistan you will definitely find differences and distinctions in traditions, dresses, cuisine, and music from the other city or area. It is a multicultural state. As it is a multicultural state it is too a multilingual state. Pakistan consists of many different languages and all are beautiful in their own way.
Language isn’t just a variety of words but an element that associates a person with his family, character, culture, music, folklore, and tradition from one generation to another. Without language, no culture can support or maintain its existence or identity. our language is our actual identity, the mother language plays a critical part in molding a person’s character, as well as his personality and psychological development, thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Pakistan’s official and national language is Urdu. There ate approximately73-76 languages spoken all over Pakistan like Punjabi, Pashto, Saraiki, Kashmiri, Balti, Baluchi, Hindko, Brahui, Barushaski, Dameli, Domaaki, GawarBati, Kalasha, Khowar, Kutchi, Memoni, Pathari-Pothari, Shina, Wakhi, Yidga. Pakistan has a wide variety of literature in Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto, Balochi Persian, and many other languages. We can clearly see that the Pakistani nation is a blend of cultures and languages. The main identity is that it is an Islamic state and follows all the Islamic values rules and regulations.