Between the Lines: Sociolinguistic Insights into Balti Teenage Slang

Abstract

The study at hand attempts to unveil the sociolinguistic aspects of teenage slang in the Balti language. Slang, regardless of the prominence of the language, has been an integral part of human communication, serving various sociolinguistic purposes and enabling interlocutors to convey and interpret intended meanings. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach to gain a deeper understanding of the issue in the context of Baltistan. Data was collected through random sampling from both male and female teenagers, using semi-structured interviews as the data collection tool. Fairclough’s three-dimensional model served as the basis for data analysis. The results show that Balti teenagers use slang in casual and informal conversations to express opinions, emotions, and attitudes. Furthermore, the study confirms that Balti slang exhibits gender-specific connotations and usage patterns. There appears to be a need for a more exhaustive etymological study on slang in Balti.