Language and Linguistics of the New Middle Class in India: A New Genre in the History of Language Sociology.

The article examines the language and linguistics of the new Indian middle class as a key factor shaping its social, economic, and political identity in the context of globalization. It highlights the heterogeneity of this class, which includes diverse caste, religious, and cultural backgrounds, and explores how language—ranging from urban consumerist expressions to virtual communication styles—reflects and constructs their lifestyle and social aspirations. The study also discusses the political behavior of this class, noting its fluid electoral allegiance based on policy benefits rather than ideology, and analyzes how political parties, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress, use language in manifestos and campaigns to appeal to this demographic. Additionally, the article addresses the role of language in new social movements and the evolving political discourse, emphasizing that language functions as a complex social construct beyond mere communication for this class.