Translating Genders: A Comparative Analysis of Feminist Discourses in South Asian Languages

This paper examined feminist discourses in South Asian languages, focusing on Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi texts. Through a qualitative comparative analysis, it explored how gender, power, and resistance were articulated across linguistic and cultural contexts. Texts including literary works, essays, and media content were purposively selected to identify recurring themes, rhetorical strategies, and language-specific expressions of feminism. Data were analyzed using discourse analysis and feminist literary criticism, allowing for the identification of both shared and divergent patterns across languages. The findings revealed that while common themes such as female agency, resistance to patriarchy, and social inequality appeared across all languages, the modes of expression differed. Urdu and Bengali texts often employed poetic and metaphorical strategies, whereas Hindi and Punjabi texts favored direct socio-political commentary. Linguistic structures, culturally embedded idioms, and narrative techniques shaped how feminist ideas were conveyed, highlighting the influence of language on discourse. These results underscore the importance of considering linguistic and cultural contexts in feminist studies and demonstrate how comparative analyses can enrich understanding of gendered narratives in South Asia. The study contributes to feminist scholarship by providing insights into the intersection of language, culture, and gendered expression, offering a foundation for future research in multilingual feminist discourse.