Linguistic Narcissism, Perceived Discrimination, and the Lived Experiences of Non-Hindi Speakers in Delhi

Abstract

Language is a fundamental marker of cultural identity, yet it often becomes a source of exclusion in multilingual societies. In India, the symbolic dominance of Hindi has produced complex hierarchies that shape access to visibility, belonging, and respect. This qualitative study explores how non-Hindi speakers experience linguistic narcissism, perceived discrimination, and identity negotiation within Delhi’s Hindi-majoritarian context. Using a phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten non-Hindi-speaking participants from diverse linguistic backgrounds, including Malayalam, Marathi, Kashmiri, Urdu, and Kannada speakers. Data were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006, 2019). Five interrelated themes emerged: (1) linguistic identity as core selfhood; (2) navigating a Hindi-majoritarian order; (3) emotional toll of linguistic exclusion; (4) coping and resistance through adaptation and community; and (5) calls for civic empathy and linguistic justice. Participants described feeling pressured to conform linguistically, facing stereotyping and institutional disregard, and internalizing self-doubt linked to language hierarchies. Yet, they also demonstrated resilience through multilingual adaptation, community solidarity, and pride in their linguistic heritage. These findings suggest that linguistic narcissism in Delhi functions less as overt hostility and more as subtle symbolic domination embedded in everyday interactions. The study highlights the psychological dimensions of language-based exclusion and argues for greater civic respect and policy attention toward multilingual inclusivity in urban India.