A Study of Language Preference among the Children of Kashmiri Speech Community Living in Jizan Region, Saudi Arabia

“A language dies when nobody speaks it anymore” (Crystal, 2000). He further says that the most common process leading to language death is one in which a community of speakers of one language becomes bilingual with another language, and gradually shifts allegiance to the second language until they cease to use their original, heritage language. Kashmir is a multilingual area where Kashmiri forms the mother tongue of majority of population; Urdu serves as the second language followed by English. This linguistic scenario changes when children reside in an international community. They shift from Kashmiri to other language/s due to less contact with their own speech community. As a result, the language preference changes according to their linguistic requirement. The present study aimed at investigating the linguistic effect on children residing in Saudi Arabia especially in Jizan region. In addition, the research focused on the intergenerational transmission of languages by exploring the reasons which languages, as their first and second, parents wanted their children to learn. The data for the present study was collected online by distributing online structured questionnaires to the target population. Several social media platforms were used to collect data. The preferred method of data collection ensured that there was an equal representation of the target population (children aged 6-16 years). The respondents were the Kashmiri children who study in different international schools in Jizan region of Saudi Arabia. The data was tabulated and analyzed by applying descriptive statistical methods. The research concluded that the target group is bilingual in Urdu and English. Though Kashmiri is the home language of the respondents, but it is not the first language (L1) of all. Urdu is the major language used in home context while as English remains the first choice for outside home situations. The use of Kashmiri is restricted to occasions like interaction with back home relatives. Keywords: Kashmiri language, bilingualism, intergenerational, speech community, language shift. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/13-12-08 Publication date:June 30th 202

The Language of Crisis: Print Media’s Re[presentation] of the Covid-19 Discourses through Linguistic Choices

The Covid-19 pandemic has sparked intense discourse and public debate, underscoring the critical role of print media in disseminating information and shaping public understanding. This paper explores the representation of Covid-19 discourses by print media, with a particular focus on linguistic choices. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study investigates how print media, including reputable sources such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, employed specific linguistic strategies to represent the discourses surrounding the Covid-19 crisis. Through analysis of news items, newspaper articles, and editorials, the research aims to uncover the underlying linguistic patterns used to frame and portray the pandemic. The study aims to uncover the underlying patterns and variations in the language employed by media outlets to frame and portray the pandemic. The findings suggest that print media employed various linguistic strategies to represent the discourses surrounding Covid-19. Lexical selection plays a significant role, with certain words and phrases being strategically employed to convey specific meanings and evoke emotional responses. The New York Times, for example, tends to use precise and factual language, while The Guardian may employ more emotive and inclusive language. Additionally, the use of metaphors and analogies enables print media to frame the crisis in relatable terms, shaping public understanding and interpretation. Furthermore, the tone and rhetoric employed by print media contribute to the construction of different discourses surrounding the pandemic. For instance, some newspapers may emphasize the economic impact of the crisis, while others focus on the healthcare and social implications. These discourses influence public perception, policy decisions, and societal responses. Understanding the language of crisis employed by print media in representing the discourses surrounding Covid-19 is essential for comprehending the societal impact and dynamics of the pandemic. This research contributes to media literacy and critical analysis by highlighting the role of linguistic choices in shaping public discourse. It underscores the need for responsible and ethical journalism that presents a nuanced and balanced representation of the Covid-19 crisis. Keywords: Language of crisis, print media, representation, Covid-19 discourses, lexical selection, metaphors, framing, tone, rhetoric DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/13-10-07 Publication date:May 31st 202

Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome-rare complication of dapsone therapy

Among several other adverse effects of dapsone therapy, dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome is extremely rare but most life-threatening complication. Here we report a case of severe dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome in a 27-year-old female student diagnosed as immune thrombocytopenic purpura on dapsone therapy who was admitted with remittent fever, lymphadenopathy and skin rash and was managed successfully with drug withdrawal and systemic glucocorticoid therapy. The idea of reporting this case is to recognise the rare potentially life threatening adverse effect of dapsone therapy, its timely diagnosis and favourable outcome with systemic glucocorticoid therapy

Torted and Ruptured Wandering Spleen Presenting as a Surgical Emergency in Pregnancy

Wandering spleen (WS) is characterised by incomplete fixation of the spleen to its supporting linorenal and gastrosplenic ligaments. It can predispose to life-threatening complications due to torsion of its vascular pedicle, splenic infarction, portal hypertension, and haemorrhage. A 27-year-old, 36-week prima gravida underwent emergency caesarean section for tachycardia and hypotension. A healthy baby girl was delivered. However, she remained shocked despite aggressive fluid therapy and intraoperatively it was noted that there was significant intraperitoneal bleeding and the on-call surgical team was summoned. Midline laparotomy revealed a lacerated, infarcted, hypermobile spleen found with free intraperitoneal bleeding. The unsalvageable spleen was resected and the patient went on to make an excellent recovery. The aetiology of WS is contentious. With an increased frequency among multiparous females of reproductive age, some suggest the hormonal effects of pregnancy as contributing factors. Clinical presentations range from an asymptomatic abdominal mass to acute abdominal pain with hypovolaemic shock. WS poses a serious threat to life due to thrombosis, bleeding, or infarction. Ultrasound scan and CT scan are equally effective in the diagnosis. Patients with asymptomatic WS should be treated with elective splenopexy, however, in the acute presentation, splenectomy is the procedure of choice

Adventitious root formation in branch cuttings of Taxus wallichiana Zucc.(Himalayan yew): A clonal approach to conserve the scarce resource

Himalayan yew (Taxus wallichiana Zucc.), is an economically valuable plant and critically endangered due to overexploitation for the isolation of Taxol,an exciting anticancer drug from its bark and leaves. Since the species is unisexual and due to its long seed dormancy period and rapid loss of viability coupled with low survival percentage, its natural regeneration from seeds is very poor. As the seed raised plants add little growth, propagation by stem cuttings was tried under natural conditions and a considerable success was achieved after making use of different auxins (Indole-3- Acetic Acid-IAA, Indole Butyric Acid-IBA and Naphthalene Acetic Acid-NAA) in different concentrations. A Randomized block design (RBD) was adopted for laying the experiment of the present study. Of the ten treatments studied, IBA at 500ppm performed best of all the treatments and registered higher callusing percentage, rooting percentage, number of roots and length of roots in the juvenile shoot cuttings of the species. The results achieved through the application ofplant growth regulators (PGRs)by way of adventitious root formation (ARF) could be useful for the management of this understory coniferous tree species, whether for conservation, habitat restoration or for the production of Taxol,a promising anti-cancer agent. The technique evolved will be the most handy, quickest, inexpensive and can be applied any where in its natural habitat for the restoration and restocking of this valuable plant, which is otherwise facing the peril of extinction throughout the range of its distribution including Indian Himalayas

Role of diversion ileostomy in low rectal cancer: A randomized controlled trial

AbstractIntroduction: Rectal cancer continues to be devastating malignancy worldwide. Sphincter preservation is the need of the hour. Distal anastomosis is more prone to leaks. Proximal diversion in form of ileostomy may be used to protect distal anastomosis. Aim: To compare two groups of low anterior resection with and without diversion ileostomy in rectal cancer patients. Material and methods: A prospective, hospital based study of 78 rectal carcinoma patients were taken for the study. Inclusion criteria was operable rectal cancer 4–12 cm from anal verge. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group – A (34 patient) patients with low anterior resection with ileostomy (LAR with ileostomy); Group – B (44 patients) patients with low anterior resection without ileostomy (LAR without ileostomy). Quality of life was assessed by scoring done by self designed method. A total score of 0–20 given for various parameters. Results: Skin excoriation was the commonest complication. Stomal retraction and stomal obstruction was seen in 1 patient each (3%). Hypokalemia was the commonest electrolyte imbalance present in ileostomy group. Anastomotic leak was present in 6% of Group A and 11% of Group B patients. Mean time of closure of ileostomy was 16 ± 4.3 weeks. Conclusion: LAR with ileostomy has certain advantages over LAR without ileostomy in terms of anastomotic leak, postoperative ileus, resumption of diet, wound infection, small bowel obstruction and in terms mortality and recurrence. However stoma related complications were main disadvantage in LAR with ileostomy