LANGUAGE OF FAMILY REPUTATION AND REPRESSION OF PERSONAL FREEDOM: 3D ANALYSIS OF PAKISTANI MEDIA DISCOURSE
Keywords:
CDA, Honor, Izzat, Reputation, Language, Pakistani TV Dramas, Power, Social ControlAbstract
This study critically examines how Pakistani dramas construct and reinforce notions of izzat (honor) and family reputation as tools of social control through language, dialogue and narrative techniques. Drawing on Norman Fairclough's Three-Dimensional Model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this research critically analyses dialogues from sampled Pakistani dramas centered on key themes, including familial reputation, the emphasis on honour, and the clash between personal desires and family expectations. The study demonstrates how language is strategically employed to promote the prioritization of family honor over personal autonomy by setting defined behavioural standards and boundaries. While abundant research exists on honor-associated violence, this article looks at more subtle, non-violent methods of practicing control through language. Through the integration of textual, discursive, and sociocultural aspects of analysis, this study offers insights into how media simultaneously reflect, shape, and reinforce familial reputation at the expense of personal freedom.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Areeba Nadeem, Esha Tariq, Ayesha Mehmood, Dr. Aisha Farid (Author)
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