Kinship terms in Marwari: A sociolinguistic study

This study investigates the sociolinguistic functions of kinship terms within the Marwari speech community of Rajasthan, addressing the gap in research concerning how language structures reflect and reinforce familial and social identity. The primary aim is to explore the cultural context in which kinship terminologies are used, focusing on how these terms encode generational, hierarchical, and gendered relationships. Employing a communication ethnographic framework, the study uses participant and non-participant observation, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and genealogical diagrams to collect and analyse data from five native Marwari speakers. Findings reveal that Marwari kinship terms are distinctly categorised into consanguineal (blood) and affinal (marital) relations, with both core and peripheral subcategories. The terms incorporate honorifics such as /sa/ and /ɟi/ and reflect gender differentiation through suffixes like /i/ and /ni/. The structure and use of these terms not only establish familial connections but also underscore respect, social cohesion, and the deeply embedded cultural values of the Marwari community. The implications of this study are both theoretical and practical: it contributes to the understanding of how linguistic practices mediate social relationships and identity in traditional communities, highlights the cultural significance of kinship lexicons in language maintenance, and underscores the importance of preserving linguistic diversity in the face of increasing language contact and shift.