A Psycho-semiotic Study of Lexical Choice in Urdu News Media

Aejaz Mohammed Sheikh

doi:10.35684/JLCI.2022.9105

Authors

Aejaz Mohammed Sheikh University of Kashmir

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35684/JLCI.2022.9105

Keywords:

Semiotics, Lexical diversity, Lexical choice, Sign, Meaning, Pragmatics

Abstract

Language is the primary means of human communication in which the addresser uses a given linguistic sign to arouse a specific set of meaning(s) in the addressee. The term meaning is used here to refer to the images, interpretations and feelings or signification aroused by a particular sign or lexical item. In other words, communication takes place when there is a correspondence of meaning/ signification between the communicator and the receiver.

Lexical diversity is a significant aspect of Urdu news media. It occurs due to the fact that the news editors, belonging to diverse news agencies, choose from diverse lexical resources at their disposal to convey the same message in their own style and as per their own needs. However, it needs to be considered that the linguistic signs/ words are not just useless or insignificant entities that are used haphazardly and randomly. They have a certain role and signification and are used with certain intent by the news editors while framing the news items. It is clear that meaning of these signs/lexical items depends upon a host of factors including their collocation, socio-cultural setting and context of use. As such, these language symbols are selected and utilized very consciously and systematically by the news editors and, in doing so, they chose and exploit the lexical items in a planned manner to convey the intended message to the audience.

Given this backdrop, the present paper aims to undertake a psycho-semiotic analysis of Urdu news media to throw light on the selective use of lexical items by the news editors according to their background, purpose, and intention.

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Author Biography

Aejaz Mohammed Sheikh, University of Kashmir

Aejaz Mohammed Sheikh (M.A, Ph. D in Linguistics from AMU, Aligarh) is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar. He has also taught at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (1999-2001) and King Khaled University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2006-2008). His areas of expertise include Media Linguistics, Documentary Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Stylistics and Translation Studies. He publishes in English, Kashmiri and Urdu and has more than ninety papers to his credit. His publications include Communicative Dimensions of Quranic Translations (Co-author, 2003), Lisaanyaat: Akh Taaruf (Linguistics: An Introduction [in Kashmiri], 2010), News Media Discourse: Issues and Perspectives (2016), A Cross-Gender Study of Greetings, Modes of Address and Politeness Expressions in Kashmiri (Co-author, 2017), Reflections on Science of Language (Co-edited, 2018), Lisaenee Zaevjaar (The Linguistic Intricacies [in Kashmiri], 2020) and Translation Trails (Co-edited, 2022). Prof. Aejaz is a prolific translator and has translated many books, short stories, essays and papers from and into English, Urdu and Kashmiri. His translated books include Two Human Faces: A Quranic Sketch (English Translation of Maulana Abul Hassan Ali Nadvi’s Urdu book Do Insaani Chehre: Ek Quranee Khaka), Ma’ Zuur Afrad Ke Huqquuq par Aqwaam-e-Mutahidda ka Kanwenshan (Urdu Translation of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), Naarae Pakhae (Kashmiri Translation of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s Autobiography Wings of Fire) and Mir Ghulam Rasool Nazki (English Translation of Aziz Hajini’s Kashmiri Book Mir Ghulam Rasool Nazki). Prof. Aejaz has attended more than seventy international and national conferences, seminars and symposia. He has also served as an expert in various panels, committees and boards at the national and international level.