A Critical Discourse Analysis of the linguistic experiences of the transgender in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Each gender has its own importance, place, respect, ideologies, and the way of living and being represented in the world. The present research is aimed to unveil the linguistic experiences towards the transgender of Lahore. This article will analyse the lexicon used to summon and converse with the transgender individuals by the males and female. This research assumes a qualitative approach; collection of data was done by interviewing and recording the responses of five transgender in Lahore. The framework of this research includes the Speech-Act Theory of Austin and Searle and The Social Structural Theories by Lips; together they provide a groundwork for power relations and socio cultural forces involved. The findings reveal the use of negative connotative words encountered by the transgender and the effect they had on their emotional and mental wellbeing. Pronouns and lexical items like ‘she-male’, ‘khawaja sira’, ‘hijra’ and ‘khusra’ are debasing and dehumanizing towards the respected gender because according to our five research participants, the transgender community does not want to be classified into these words.