Linguistic mediation and code-to-weave transformation in Kashmiri carpet weaving

Abstract

This article describes the process of transforming a symbolic code into weave actions of weavers in Kashmiri carpet weaving and how a trade-specific language features crucially in this transformation. The designs in Kashmiri carpet weaving are encoded in a symbolic code, called talim, which the weavers decode while weaving the design. This transformation from code-to-weave is achieved by subjecting the code to various interpretative frameworks, that is, modality and linguistic, and weaving actions are aligned in accordance with them. The transformation remains similar in single and multi-weaver settings, with an exception that, in the latter, the code is read aloud in practice-specific trade language among the team of weavers.