Dear team,
Thank you for your encouraging responses and for the opportunity to join this dynamic panel. I am sharing my paper abstract below, and building on our idea of broadening the discussion, would also like to recommend Dr. Premlata Vaishnava as a discussant. Dr. Vaishnava is an accomplished scholar with deep expertise in South Asian languages and cultures, and she is currently a Language Consultant at International Communication Associates (ICA), Arlington, VA (USA). I have benefited greatly from her insights during our time together in South Asian Language Program at the University of Michigan, and I believe she would add meaningfully to the conversation. Her contact is pinkim18@gmail.com should you wish to reach out.
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Title: Linguicism and Gender in the Expressions of Address: Sociolinguistic Perspectives from South Asia
Abstract:
This paper examines how public expressions of address, often overlooked yet highly consequential, become focal points in the contestation and enactment of gender inclusivity and recognition in South Asia. Drawing on recent examples such as the debate over gender-neutral salutations in the Pakistan Assembly, ESPN Cricinfo's shift from "batsman" to "batter" and "Man of the Match" to "Player of the Match," legal controversies over addressing judges in India as "Sir," and IndiGo Airlines' adoption of the honorific "Mx," this research highlights the sociolinguistic nuances that both reflect and shape ongoing struggles for gender representation and justice. Employing critical discourse theory, the analysis interrogates how these reforms trigger controversy, resistance, and solidarity, and reveal the power of language in upholding or challenging entrenched gender hierarchies, particularly for those historically marginalized.
Keywords: epistemic injustice, linguicism, gender identity, forms of address, gender-neutral language, South Asia, public discourse.
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Looking forward to everyone's feedback, and happy to assist further in convening or organizational matters for the panel.
Warmly,
Bairam
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Bairam Khan
Aligarh Muslim University
bairam@umich.edu------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2025 03:33 AM
From: Asma Majeed
Subject: Online communities and gender discourse
Dear Bairam
Thank you for showing the interest.Please send the paper abstract for assembling all papers and see what and how would that fit.We need a discussant too.I will let you know.
Original Message:
Sent: 11/3/2025 10:57:00 PM
From: Amna Ali
Subject: RE: Online communities and gender discourse
Walaikum Asalam,
These themes seem to fit well together and we can form a panel. It would be great if we could find some other discussants from outside of South Asia for a diverse panel. We can wait for those to added.
Looking forward,
Amna
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Amna Ali
Simon Fraser University
asa464@sfu.ca
Original Message:
Sent: 10-27-2025 12:45 PM
From: Bairam Khan
Subject: Online communities and gender discourse
Salaam Masnuun!
I'd like to join the panel you're assembling on online communities and gender discourse (potentially for LUMS AAA). My current paper, "Linguicism and Gender in the Expressions of Address: Sociolinguistic Perspectives from South Asia," examines how public and platformed forms of address become sites of contestation over gender inclusivity. Using critical discourse analysis of parliamentary records, media style guides, and Twitter/YouTube comment threads, I trace how language reforms mobilize resistance and solidarity, indexing epistemic injustice for marginalized genders.
Fit with panel:
Brings a comparative South Asia, language-policy, and online discourse lens that complements feminist counterpublics in Pakistan and gendered institutional practices.
Speaks directly to platform affordances, moderation, and public backlash around gender-neutral address.
Availability: I can participate in Lahore (or remotely), help co-convene or convene if you want, and suggest a discussant if helpful.
Duaago,
Bairam Khan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bairam-khan-103a9411b/
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Bairam Khan
Aligarh Muslim University
bairam@umich.edu
Original Message:
Sent: 10-24-2025 02:56 AM
From: Asma Majeed
Subject: Online communities and gender discourse
I am looking for the panel to talk about how women are objectified in terms of written texts on social networking websites and what are words that are used to discuss the women body, autonomy and freedom.
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Asma Majeed
Dr
Asma.majeed@kinnaird.edu.pk
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