Section Article

Linguistic Hierarchies and Social Power in Multilingual Households
Author(s): Imran Khan

Abstract
In multilingual societies like India language is not just a tool of communication but also a marker of identity status and power. Within households where multiple languages coexist—often including regional national and global tongues—linguistic preferences and practices shape social relationships generational dynamics and power distribution. This paper explores the concept of linguistic hierarchy in multilingual Indian households examining how language choices reflect and reinforce social power. Based on ethnographic research across urban semi-urban and rural families the study investigates the prioritization of English over vernacular languages intergenerational conflicts over language use and the gendered implications of linguistic authority. The findings reveal that language functions as a symbolic capital that mediates access to education employment and respect often marginalizing native tongues in favor of prestige languages. The paper argues for a nuanced understanding of multilingualism that considers internal hierarchies and calls for inclusive language policies that empower rather than stratify.