VARIATIONS IN LANGUAGE AND ITS EQUATION WITH LINGUISTIC IDENTITY

In this paper, we investigate the linguistic identity of the diasporic population in East Midnapur also known as (Purba Medinipur), which is a border district under the administration of the Indian state of West Bengal. This region of West Bengal has a long history of cultural and linguistic contact with the neighbouring state-Odisha, and a significant number of the Odia diasporic population has been residing here for many generations. Our study focuses on the linguistic behaviour of this diasporic community, who portrays both the forced and spontaneous instances of assimilation (Guy, 2011). The community identifies itself with the homogenous Bengali identity, even though their variety still retains Odia influence significantly. Keeping in mind this complex linguistic identity that Purba Medinipur residents have, our research explores the hegemony of Bangla and the survival of linguistic adherence of Odia in the variety of languages that these speakers use.