Linguistic hybridization in a television talk show: A sociolinguistic analysis
APA Citation:
Rahman, A.R.M.M., & Rahman, A.R.M.M. (2021). Linguistic hybridization in a television talk show: A sociolinguistic analysis. Journal of
Language and Linguistic Studies, 17(2), 767-782. Doi: 10.52462/jlls.54
Submission Date:24/02/2021
Acceptance Date:15/05/2021
Abstract
This paper aims to determine the functions of hybridizing languages in the television talk show discourses in
Bangladesh. Though hybridization of Bangla is harshly criticized in the media discourses for its alleged pollution
of Bangla language, this linguistic practice, which seems to be rampant and pervasive in the society, is
demonstrated not only as part of their habitual and natural linguistic behaviour but also to accomplish certain
discourse functions. Analysing the video-recorded episodes selected from the archives of “Tritiyomatra”, a
popular television talk show broadcasted on Channel i, a privately owned satellite television channel in
Bangladesh, this study reveals that the speakers are found to use hybrid Bangla in their talk show conversation
for a variety of discourse functions such as to establish cohesion in the discourse, to clarify concepts, to give
emphasis and focus on the particular notions, to draw glocal attention, and to make the discussion more topicspecific and relevant. Moreover, the speakers are found to perform these discourse functions through the
hybridization of languages very strategically and purposively.
Keywords: linguistic hybridization; linguistic behaviour; discourse functions; media discourse; talk show