Phonological Diversity in Sindhi Dialects: A Comparative Analysis of Lari, Utraadi and Vicholi Sindhi

Authors

  • Muhammad Qasim *

    Department of English, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi 74000, Pakistan
  • Ghulam Murtaza

    Department of English, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi 74000, Pakistan
  • Raiz Ahmed Mangrio

    Faculty of Language and Culture Studies, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi 74000, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55121/le.v2i2.716

Keywords:

Sindhi Dialects, Phonological Variation, Lari, Vicholi, Utraadi, Phonetic Shifts, Linguistic Diversity, Socio-Linguistics

Abstract

Phonological variations among dialects of a language serve as a significant indicator of linguistic diversity and socio-cultural evolution. This study investigates the phonological differences among three primary Sindhi dialects—Lari, Vicholi, and Utraadi through a qualitative and comparative linguistic analysis. To capture the richness and complexity of phonological variations, the study employed a combination of semi-structured interviews, naturalistic observation, and audio analysis. In addition, the researchers observed the variation because they are native speakers. This research examines variations in consonantal and vowel sounds, phonetic shifts, and the socio-linguistic factors influencing these differences. This study employs a qualitative exploratory research design, ideal for capturing the intricate details of linguistic variation within specific socio-cultural contexts. Qualitative research excels at addressing subtle linguistic phenomena that might otherwise be overlooked in quantitative methods. In this study, the qualitative design was particularly effective in revealing the phonological distinctions among Lari, Vicholi, and Utraadi dialects, as well as the socio-cultural factors shaping these variations. The findings highlight key phonological processes such as aspiration and dis aspiration, consonantal deletion, and the insertion of phonemes across dialects. Lari exhibits a tendency towards phonetic simplification, often omitting aspirated consonants and reducing vowels. Utraadi speakers display distinct phonetic additions, including the insertion of rhotic sounds, while Vicholi, as the standardized dialect, maintains more traditional phonetic structures. Socio-linguistic factors such as regional identity, historical linguistic influence, and educational exposure contribute significantly to these phonetic distinctions. This study underscores the importance of documenting and preserving Sindhi dialectal diversity for linguistic research, education, and cultural identity.

Author Biography

Muhammad Qasim, <p><em>Department of English, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi 74000, Pakistan</em></p>

Graduate Department of English 

References

[1] Ali, Z., 2016. Morphosemantic and Syntactic Analysis of Verbs in Sindhi [PhD thesis]. University of Malaya: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

[2] Allana, A.G., 1995. Sindhi Boli Ji Lisani Geography. Institution of Sindhology, University of Sindh: Jamshoro, Pakistan.

[3] Hassan, A., 2016. Assimilation and Incidental Differences in Sindhi Language. Eurasian Journal of Humanities. 2(1). Available from: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3622862

[4] Amin, M., Ali, Z., 2021. Phonological and Morphological Variations Between Lasi and Standard Sindhi. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research. 3(2), 181–194. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2021.v3.n2.id1109.p181

[5] Abbasi, A.M., Butt, B., Gopang, I.B., et al., 2024. Analyzing Acoustic Patterns of Vowel Sounds Produced by Native Rangri Speakers. International Journal of Speech Technology. 27, 471–481. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10772-024-10122-8

[6] Jatoi, A.N., 1996. Linguistics and Sindhi Language (Ilm Lisan Ain Sindhi Zaban), 3rd ed. Institute of Sindhology: Hyderabad, Pakistan.

[7] Ali, S., Subiyanto, A., 2023. Comparative Analysis of Phonological Processes in English Reading Among Sindhi and English-Speaking College Learners. Journal of Languages, Linguistics and Literary Studies. 3(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.57040/jllls.v3i3.510

[8] Ali, Z., Azam, M., Aliani, A., 2021. A Morphological Analysis of Transitive and Intransitive Verbs in Lasi. Harf-o-Sukhan. 5(3), 346–356.

[9] Arslan, M.F., Mahmood, M.A., Haroon, H., 2021. Highlighting the Sound Shift in Punjabi Language: A Corpus-Based Descriptive Study. Linguistic Forum–A Journal of Linguistics. 3(1), 1–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14829912

[10] Mustafa, G., Khan, S.U., Sartaj, S., et al., 2023. A Comparative Study of Metathesis in Lasi and Romani Language. Pakistan Journal of Society, Education and Language (PJSEL). 10(1), 432–441. Available from: https://pjsel.jehanf.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1338

[11] Aliani, A.U., Ali, Z., Kifayatullah, S.U.K., 2022. English Loan-Words Adaptation and Substitution Process in Lassi. University of Chitral Journal of Linguistics and Literature. 6(I), 177–197. Available from: https://jll.uoch.edu.pk/index.php/jll/article/view/45

[12] Hyman, L.M., 1975. Phonology: Theory and Analysis. Holt, Rinehart and Winston: New York, NY, USA.

[13] Noor, T., Zai, R.A.Y., Zardari, Z.A., et al., 2024. Comparative Analysis of Phonological Variation of Pakistani English and Standard British English: A Case Study of English-Speaking Sindhi Students of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad, Pakistan. Journal of Arts and Linguistics Studies. 2(1), 385–401. Available from: https://jals.miard.org/index.php/jals/article/view/45

[14] Abbasi, A.M., Hussain, S., 2012. Syllable Structure and Syllabification in Sindhi-English Loanwords. International Researcher. 1(4), 120–134. Available from: https://www.cle.org.pk/Publication/papers/2012/Syllable%20Structure.pdf

[15] Pathan, H., Al Murshidi, G., Ayyaz, S., et al., 2024. The Interaction Between Language Identity, Pedagogy, and the Effects on Indigenous Languages (Urdu and Sindhi): A Case Study of Undergraduate Institutes of Sindh, Pakistan. Forum for Linguistic Studies. 6(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/fls.v6i2.1176

[16] Hayes, B., 2009. Introductory Phonology. Wiley-Blackwell: Malden, MA, USA.

[17] Odden, D., 2005. Introducing Phonology. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.

[18] Shar, A.A., Mahar, M.A., Mahar, S.A., et al., 2024. Acoustic Investigation of Sindhi Consonants Using Waveform and Spectrogram Techniques. Spectrum of Engineering Sciences. 2(4), 486–504. Available from: https://sesjournal.org/index.php/1/article/view/89

[19] Shah, A.A., Isani, U.H.S., Shah, M.A., 2022. Sociolinguistic Impacts on Sindh: A Case Study on the Sindhi Language. Pakistan Social Sciences Review. 6(1), 197–206. Available from: https://ojs.pssr.org.pk/journal/article/view/569

[20] Khubchandani, L.M., 1963. The Acculturation of Indian Sindhi to Hindi: A Study of Language in Contact [PhD thesis]. University of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, PA, USA.

[21] Shaikh, H., Mahar, J.A., Malah, G.A., 2013. Digital Investigation of Accent Variation in Sindhi Dialects. Indian Journal of Science and Technology. 6(11), 1–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2013/v6i11.10

[22] Bughio, M.Q., 2009. Stratification of /r/ Pronunciation in Sindhi, Spoken in Sindh, Pakistan. International Research Journal of Arts & Humanities (IRJAH). 37. Available from: https://sujo.usindh.edu.pk/index.php/IRJAH/article/view/1256

[23] Joyo, M.A., Memon, R.A., 2023. Analysis of English Phonological Performance Between Sindhi Male and Female Learners. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review.7(4), 330–339. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2023(7-IV)28

[24] Rehan, H., Musani, K., Dilshad, W.B., 2025. Sindhi Speakers Having English as a Second Language. International Social Science Review. 2(1).

[25] Talpur, N., Talpur, M.J., Samar, T., 2023. Researching on Analysis and Creating Corpus From Primary Level Sindhi Language Book for Sindhi. Repertus: Journal of Linguistics, Language Planning and Policy. 2(1), 37–48. Available from: https://rjllp.muet.edu.pk/index.php/repertus/article/view/24

Downloads

How to Cite

Qasim, M., Murtaza, G., & Mangrio, R. A. (2025). Phonological Diversity in Sindhi Dialects: A Comparative Analysis of Lari, Utraadi and Vicholi Sindhi. Linguistic Exploration, 2(2), 52–64. https://doi.org/10.55121/le.v2i2.716

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (December 2025)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Qasim, Ghulam Murtaza, Raiz Ahmed Mangrio

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.