Dialectal Variation and Mutual Intelligibility of Hindi in Delhi

This paper aims to explore the extent of mutual intelligibility among different Hindi dialects in Delhi, the socio-cultural factors influencing variations, and language use. Language is an essential aspect of human communication, and its variations within a linguistic community often shape interactions and cultural identities. In the Indian context, Hindi is a primary language spoken across the country, with numerous regional dialects reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape. Delhi, the capital and a cosmopolitan city, presents a unique environment for studying mutual intelligibility in inter-dialectical variations of Hindi. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Questionnaires and surveys were conducted across Delhi, where speakers were selected by random sampling method. Questions were administered to a sample of Hindi speakers that tested their comprehension level and analysed factors influencing the inter-dialectical variations. This study establishes that socioeconomic factors and geographical factors are the primary reason behind the current state of the dominant language in Delhi and the rate of mutual intelligibility among the community. In this paper, 4 Dialects have been studied- Khari Boli, Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Bagheli and Punjabi-influenced Hindi. Findings reveal a rich tapestry of inter-dialectical variations in Delhi's Hindi-speaking community. While Standard Hindi (also known as "Khari Boli") remains the most understood and widely used dialect due to its prominence in media and education, variations such as Bhojpuri, Haryanvi, Punjabi-Influenced Hindi, and Bagheli are actively present and exhibit distinct linguistic features. Although these regional dialects demonstrate differences in phonetics, vocabulary, and grammar, there exists a significant degree of mutual intelligibility, enabling effective communication among speakers.