Locating Multilingual Literacies: A Case Study of Literacy Practices at the Fatima Jinnah Women University (Fjwu), Rawalpindi

Abstract

Purpose: The present study attempts to analyze literacy practices of adults with low academic qualifications in their work domain to prove that the traditional definition of literacy as merely an ability to read and write may not prove an effective yardstick in the postmodern digitalized global world.
 Methods: The research is contextualized in nature and takes place in real-life settings of Pakistani society. The researchers collected the data through semi/non-structured interviews based on a questionnaire consisted of 53 questions, excluding demographic-related details. The duration of the fieldwork was almost one month. During the data collection process, the researcher kept on tailoring the questions to have insights into the LNL practices of adults concerning the aim of the study and the progression of the interviews/conversation. 
 Main Findings: The study finds multiliteracies in the work domains of sanitary workers in the shape of LNL and technology integration. Sanitary workers seem to utilize less English language vocabulary, specifically naming (nouns), i.e., washroom, cleaners/acids, vacuum cleaner, biometrics, blower, floor machine, or mobile phones. Workers also use diverse literacy practices in their communications, i.e., multilingual lexicon, numeracy, or digital literacies.
 Application of the Study: The findings suggest that this workplace multilingualism and multiliteracy practices would help the organizations (public/private) to instruct their employees/staff for purposeful communication(s). Moreover, this study would facilitate the process of training need analysis (TNA) during the trainings as the model of the present research can be adapted by the trainers to assess the literacy level(s) of the trainees for better classifications to provide proper training according to their prior knowledge.
 The Originality of the Study: According to the researchers' best knowledge, this type of study appeared not conducted in a specific field in the selected geographical area. Moreover, the research offers a new theoretical framework to conduct a multiliteracy study in sanitary works.