Negotiating Multilingual Identities through Code Switching in Pakistani Drama Kabuli Pulao

Abstract

This research undermines how diverse identities are negotiated through code-switching in the Pakistani television drama Kabuli Pulao, guided by Social Identity Theory. The research examines how code-switching functions as a performative strategy that reflects social identification, social categorization, and coping mechanisms in response to identity threats. Pakistan is a linguistically diverse society where language serves not only as a medium of communication but also as a key marker of social identity. Kabuli Pulao reflects the multicultural and multilingual fabric of the nation by presenting a compelling narrative that intertwines Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto and other languages. This research investigates how characters employ code-switching to assert, negotiate, or resist social group affiliations through qualitative content analysis of selected nine dialogues and character interactions. Social Identity Theory patronage contextualizes these linguistic choices, unpacking how individuals align to or distinct themselves from specific ethnic, cultural, or social groups. The findings demonstrate that characters use various types of code-switching including intra-sentential, inter-sentential, situational, and metaphorical switching not only to communicate but also to assert group membership, navigate social hierarchies, and manage emotional tensions. This research deepens the understanding of language as a performative tool in media discourse, illuminating how multilingual practices in popular culture reflect and frame social identities in Pakistan.