INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN OF LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE (IBLL)
The International Bulletin of Linguistics and Literature (IBLL) is a Quarterly HEC-recognized "Y" category journal by The Research Syndicate. It is dedicated to publishing cutting-edge research at the dynamic intersection of linguistics and literary studies. As a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal, IBLL is a premier platform for scholars worldwide, fostering intellectual discourse on the intricate relationships between language, culture, and literature across diverse global contexts. With a broad yet rigorous scope, IBLL features research spanning theoretical and applied linguistics, literary theory, multilingualism, translation studies, and digital humanities, among other emerging fields. The journal champions both traditional and innovative methodologies, encouraging interdisciplinary perspectives that push the boundaries of linguistic and literary scholarship. By ensuring unrestricted access to high-quality publications, IBLL promotes global knowledge exchange, enriching academic dialogue and contributing to the advancement of the humanities. Scholars seeking to engage with groundbreaking research and shape the future of linguistic and literary studies will find IBLL an invaluable resource.
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Factors Influencing EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension Skill and Strategies for Improvement
Reading comprehension is a complex language skill that requires the interaction of several subskills and cognitive processes. This article examines the elements that affect reading comprehension proficiency, grouped into reader and text variables. It explores several text- and reader-related factors that support EFL learners' reading performance. Text type and rhetorical structure, vocabulary and lexical knowledge, and the role of automaticity in fluent word recognition are among the important textual elements examined. The study also examines reader-specific factors such as motivation, reading purpose, language skills, and the significant influence of prior knowledge and cultural background on a student's capacity to construct meaning. By emphasizing these factors, the present paper underscores the need for teachers to consider students' interests and prior knowledge when selecting materials to enhance comprehension and the overall learning process.
Reading Comprehension, EFL Learners, Text variables, Reader variables, Lexical Knowledge
Copyright (c) 2025 INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN OF LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE (IBLL) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Beyond the Headlines: Deconstructing European Media’s Islamophobic Discourse
This study investigates Islamophobia as prevalent in Europe. In this connection, it deconstructs the portrayal of Islam and the Muslims by the British, French and German media through their discourse strategies. It also examines the counter-narrative by the Middle Eastern and Pakistani media. This qualitative research applies a triangulation of framing theory and critical discourse analysis to highlight the media's subtle use of discourse strategies to advance their agenda. The analysis of the study reflects how the European Media reflects a negative role of Islam and Muslims by using discourse tactics. They exploit lexical selection and other tactics, such as visuals, headings, captions, and sub-captions, in ways that influence the cognition of the general public, who feel cognitively compelled to believe what European Media wants to promote. The study also finds how the Media of the Muslim countries, such as Al Jazeera and Dawn, continue to counter the European narrative on Islam and the Muslims to challenge the European agenda. This study is significant because it deconstructs the manipulative strategies used by the European media for the promotion of Islamophobia. It adopts a critical discourse analysis perspective, which helps break the power structure based on discourse.
Islamophobia, European media, Prejudice, Critical Discourse Analysis, Pakistan
Students’ Perceptions and Academic Outcomes: The Impact of Meta AI on Vocabulary Learning in Higher Secondary ESL Contexts in Multan
In artificial intelligence, students of English vocabulary, particularly learners of English as a Second Language, are learning differently. This paper examined the impact of the Meta AI on vocabulary acquisition among higher secondary learners in Multan, Pakistan. I concentrated on two aspects, one being student academic performance, and the other being what they felt about the use of AI in their lessons. I worked with 120 students using a quasi-experimental mixed-methods design. I split them into two groups. One group was taught vocabulary using Meta AI tools, whereas the other was taught using conventional methods. To monitor progress, I administered pre- and post-tests on vocabulary and employed a questionnaire to obtain students' genuine views. Statistics show that students exposed to Meta AI demonstrated an actual improvement in vocabulary compared to those who attended regular classes. Still, it was not only about scores. Students who were using AI reported being more engaged and motivated. They prefer immediate feedback and believe their learning is more in their control. In short, it is not that Meta AI helped them remember words; they were eager to learn. In accordance with these findings, I will suggest introducing Meta AI into ESL instruction. It not only improves academic performance but also makes students more interested in the entire process.
Artificial Intelligence, Meta AI, English Vocabulary, English as a Second Language
Copyright (c) 2025 INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN OF LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE (IBLL)
Exploring Perspectives on Reading Comprehension Skills and Assessment in Undergraduate English Literature Classrooms
Pakistani undergraduate students continue to struggle with reading comprehension skills: a prerequisite for academic success in higher education. The focus of this research study was to gauge student and teacher perspectives about reading comprehension and its assessment in undergraduate English Literature classrooms. It employed a mixed-methods design that included both a survey questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Convenience sampling was used to select 159 students of English Literature from five private universities for the survey. 18 English teachers from the same universities were interviewed using purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data analysis. Qualitative data analysis involved the derivation of relevant themes. A key finding was that students understood the importance of reading comprehension for both their academic and professional success. Students mostly reported using strategies such as the identification of specific details, answering questions, and visualizing. Teachers stated that they frequently used prior knowledge, classroom discussions, and homework assignments. However, their use of graphic organizers, video instruction, and visualization was minimal. Modes of assessment that were used included word-meaning recognition, tests of vocabulary and spelling, and identifying details. Teachers highlighted the significance of reading comprehension in their English Literature classrooms. They cited the use of interactive approaches such as skimming, close reading, reading aloud, translation, and prediction. However, major difficulties they encountered included varied student proficiency, limited time, inadequate resources, weak foundational skills, and low motivation. These findings can contribute to enhancing the reading comprehension skills of students by influencing curriculum design and pedagogical strategies.
Reading Comprehension Skills, Reading Comprehension Strategies, Reading Assessment, Undergraduate English Literature Teachers
The Role of Extracurricular Activities, Student Commitment, and Teacher Leadership in the Development of Soft Skills at The Undergraduate Level
In education, soft skills play a key role in developing students’ personalities and preparing them to face and tackle issues worldwide. This quantitative study was proposed to investigate the development of soft skills through extracurricular activities, student commitment, and teacher leadership at the university level. Convenience sampling was employed, and a closed-ended questionnaire comprising 43 items was administered to undergraduates at public universities in Lahore. All the data were evaluated in SPSS and presented as charts. Results declared that all three factors: extracurricular activities, teacher leadership, and student commitment were crucial in soft skill development. Research highlighted that teacher leadership motivates and encourages students to explore and participate beyond classrooms. Additionally, students’ commitment and loyalty to their institute have depicted that they love to take part in activities organized by their institute, as it has enhanced their soft skills. Likewise, all sports and non-sports activities in and outside the organization remarkably develop and elevate students’ soft skills. Overall findings suggested that soft skill integration and good leadership strategies should be prioritized in universities to ensure inclusivity and promote activities where students’ soft skills can be tested to enhance their commitment to the organization.
Soft Skills, Extracurricular Activities, Teacher leadership, Student Commitment
STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES'S POEM “LEISURE”
This research article aims to analyse the concepts of Davies’s poem Leisure from a stylistic point of view and to explore four levels of stylistic analysis: graphological, syntactical, semantic, and phonological. The analysis of this poem will help analyse and judge the concepts of modern man's life who passes his life under the tensions and troubles of materialism, neglecting the charm and beauty of nature.
Style, Stylistics, Leisure, Phonological level, Graphological level, Morphological level, Lexico-syntactic level
A STYLISTICS ANALYSIS OF THE POEM “THE CHARACTER OF LOVE SEEN AS A SEARCH FOR THE LOST” BY KENNETH PATCHEN
This paper attempts a stylistic study of a poem, " The Character of Love Seen as a Search for the Lost by Kenneth Patchen. It aims to reveal the deeper underpinnings of semanticity in condensed literary pieces, particularly in poetry, as a consequence of the author's style. It brings to the fore the heavy use of deviation and parallelism to drum home the poem's theme. This analysis is conducted under the aspects of graphology, syntactic, grammatical, lexical, and phonological patterns. And finally, a fundamental literary feature used, worthy of note and clearly drawn attention to in the analysis, is the parallelism of the entire literary piece, which gives it a unique outlook. On the surface, one might not notice the effect of this literary technique, but the study has meticulously pointed this out.
stylistics, poetry, parallelism, foregrounding, literary technique, deviation
Copyright (c) 2023 INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN OF LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE (IBLL)
A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES'S POEM “MONEY”
This research article aims to analyse the concepts of Davies’s poem “Money” from a stylistic point of view and to explore four levels of stylistic analysis: graphological, syntactical, semantic, and phonological. The poem dwells upon the pathetic and painful conditions of the poet's determination, who wants to gain the eternal pleasure of life, and he says that the significance of money can be realised only in a poor economic condition. He says that the friends of the rich by heart are better than the rich by money. Materialistic joys vanish in the flow of time, but eternal pleasures remain as they are. The analysis of this poem will help identify the concepts of money that cause tensions in human lives, especially in the modern and postmodern eras.
Style, Stylistics, Money, Phonological level, Graph logical level, Morphological. level, Lexico-syntactic level
IDEOLOGY USED AS A WEAPON BY PEOPLE IN POWER TO MANIPULATE THE SUBORDINATE PEOPLE IS THE INDIRECT SUBJECT OF THE NOVEL “A FAREWELL TO ARMS” BY EARNEST HEMINGWAY
When World War I (1914-1918) finally ended, an estimated 10 million people were dead, and 20 million were wounded. The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary triggered the war in June 1914, but the causes of the conflict go deeper. A brand of aggressive nationalism had taken root across all of Europe. Political power utilised not only the state's people but also the colonised people through the underlying workings of ideology. Germany, France, and England had become imperial powers with economic rivalries around the globe. The interlocking royal families of Europe created far-flung political alliances and pledged to take sides in the conflict. Add to this the coming revolutionary struggle in Russia, and all the pieces were in place for a catastrophe. A four-year conflict followed. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (mostly today’s Turkey) fought against the Allies, led by France, England, Russia, Italy, and, eventually, America. Ernest Hemingway’s A FAREWELL TO ARMS depicts the manipulation of the Ideological State Apparatuses, which are glory, duty, honour, and obligation, and how they work inside people, and how Oppressive State Apparatuses work against the people who understand the exploitation of ideology. From a postcolonial perspective, this paper highlights the conspiracy of ideological weapons, which instils in people a sense of self-betterment, prompting patriotism and nationalism, but this only draws them into service.
World War I, Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms, ideology, ideological weapon
THE DISPLACEMENT AND UNHOMLINESS OF THE COLONIZED IN MANTO'S TOBA TEK SINGH
The paper in hand attempted to highlight the post-colonial issues of the colonised. Even after gaining freedom from the British, the natives were unable to regain their identity. They faced many psychological problems. They could not come to terms with their present identity. In this term paper, the researchers used the lens of postcolonial theory to identify postcolonial issues in Manto’s Toba Tek Sin. In the analysis, the researchers claimed that mimicry, displacement, and unhomeliness are major post-colonial issues faced by natives who have been dissected by the colonisers in Manto’s Toba Tek Singh. Being preoccupied under the yoke of colonial power, the natives faced psychological trauma, which caused their alien identity, displacement, and unhomeliness.
British, Manto, Toba Tek Sing, mimicry, displacement, postcolonial theory
NOUN PHRASE STRUCTURE RULES AS A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENGLISH AND URDU LANGUAGE: THE CASE OF ARTICLES
In this paper, we intend to analyse the sentence structures of English and Urdu, the most commonly used languages in Pakistan. In etymology, punctuation is the arrangement of basic standards that administer the organisation of provisions, expressions, and words in a language. English syntax is the assortment of rules that portray the structure of sentences in the English language. This incorporates the structure of words, expressions, provisos, and sentences. Then again, Urdu, the most widely used language of Pakistan, has its own sentence structure, which is, to some degree, like the syntax of English, yet it differs from English punctuation in various ways. For instance, Urdu has linguistic gender orientation: all Urdu things are manly or ladylike. Some Urdu descriptive words change as per the sexual orientation of the thing they describe, while others don't. There are no positive articles in Urdu. Like English, Urdu has transitive action words (which require an immediate item) and intransitive action words (which don't take objects); however, the distinction plays a considerably more significant role in Urdu. Two parts of the word request are distinctive in Urdu and English. Right off the bat, the standard word order in Urdu is Subject-Object-Verb, as opposed to Subject-Verb-Object in English. It's additionally fascinating to note that Urdu utilises postpositions (which come after things) rather than relational words (which precede things). In this unique situation, Urdu local speakers have issues with the correct use of relational words
Anglo-Norman, Article less language, English language, Urdu, inflectional system
AN ANALYSIS OF URDU-ENGLISH MARKED CODE SWITCHING IN PAKISTANI TV TALK SHOWS
This thesis critically analyzed the forms and functions of code switching in Pakistani TV talk shows under the assumptions of Scotton’s Markedness model (1993). The study primarily examines Pakistani TV talk shows that use code-switched language. The study is qualitative and purposive in nature and implies the description of code switching based on data that contained instances of code switching. The data were analysed using the Markedness Model, which classifies code switching into four types: marked, unmarked, sequential, and exploratory. Eight TV talk shows, ranging from December 2020, are taken from the internet, transcribed and then analysed. The findings of the study revealed that Urdu-English code switching is not just a fashion in TV talk shows or a symbol of superiority, but a conscious act by anchors to achieve specific purposes: confirmation, solidarity, emphasis, being social, humour, clarity, reprimand, expression of emotions, and to emphasise.
code switching, Pakistani TV talk, humour, fashion, Urdu-English
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE URDU VERB PHRASE
This article investigates VP construction in Urdu based on the Minimalist Program. The Minimalist Program has been instrumental in achieving the explanatory adequacy of the description of Urdu VP structure. It is clear that the Minimalist Program can be further explored in the descripti0n of m0re c0mplex syntactic structures in Urdu. This data can add to the cross-linguistic data of all languages in efforts to develop the universals of human language. This research is based on the descriptive, qualitative, and quantitative methods. Based on the analysis, it is found that all languages have almost the same binary representation, with a variation of grammatical sentence structure, like Urdu Verb Phrase has S+0+V structure, which is different from English.
Urdu VP, Minimalist Program, Verb phrase structure, Tree diagram, Merger operation
Copyright (c) 2021 INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN OF LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE (IBLL)
DIGITAL TRAUMA: REPRESENTATION OF ONLINE VIOLENCE AND CYBERBULLYING IN YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE
The increased incorporation of digital technologies into the lives of adolescents has led to new types of psychological vulnerability, and cyberbullying and online harassment appear to be a significant source of digital trauma. The Young Adult (YA) literature, which has long been concerned with the emotional and social issues of the youth, has also started to take up the issues of online violence and investigate them. This paper reviews the topic of digital trauma in the chosen YA novels published between 2010 and 2025 and how authors portray cyberbullying, reputational damage, digital surveillance, and the emotional disorientation of the adolescent characters. The study is based on the trauma theory, cyberpsychology, and narrative analysis to examine the narrative techniques that depict online aggression and its long-term impact on the psychology of users. The results indicate that common themes are shaming by the masses, identity misrepresentation, social isolation, and the merging of digital and real-world trauma. The chosen readings also provide an example of a continuum of coping strategies, ranging from silence and withdrawal to building resilience, telling the truth, and digital resistance. The paper has contended that beyond reflecting digital anxieties of the modern-day youth, YA literature can also be used as a pedagogical site for developing critical digital citizenship, empathy, and awareness. Through foregrounding digital trauma, YA stories have been playing a part in the continued discourse on the emotional environment of adolescents in an increasingly networked world.
Digital trauma; cyberbullying, online violence, Young Adult literature, digital identity, theory of trauma, cyberpsychology, public shaming, adolescent mental health, digital citizenship
TRENDS AND TOOLS IN AI-SUPPORTED PHONOLOGY TEACHING: A CORPUS-BASED META-ANALYSIS
The current paper presents a meta-analysis of the research literature on Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in the teaching of phonology and trends, tools, and implications of AI integration on the pedagogical field, in particular. The paper relies on a corpus of international and regional research published from 2013 to 2024 to analyze the application of AI technologies in teaching phonology, namely, speech recognition, automated feedback systems, and adaptive learning platforms. The analysis determines common methodologies, the most important tools, and current trends, denoting the potential of AI to improve the process of pronunciation training as well as the obstacles linked to the readiness of teachers and the integration of technology. The evidence indicates that AI-based phonology training has the potential to enhance engagement and accuracy among learners, but successful adoption requires thorough design, training of teachers, and addressing ethical concerns. The present review will help to comprehend the changing role of AI in language education as it provides advice to educators, researchers and policymakers.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Phonology Teaching, Pronunciation Learning, Corpus Based Analysis, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Speech Recognition, Adaptive Learning, Language Education, Automated Feedback, AI in Education
Exploring Race and Mental Health Intersectionality in The Blue Orange: A Critical Race Theory Perspective
To examine how Critical Race Theory (CRT) is applied in discussing the intersectionality of race and mental health, this paper will closely analyze Blue Orange by Joe Penhall. The play is a subtle satire against the racial bias of the psychiatric system, where the protagonist of the story, a young black man, Christopher, is fighting a white-dominated psychiatric facility. This discussion explores the impact of institutional racism on mental health identification and therapy, which shows the shortcomings of the conventional psychiatric practice. Through the experiences of working on CRT and mental health with Tony Nicholas Brown, this paper explains why The Blue Orange helps to acknowledge the errors of an institutionalized system that, on many occasions, does not recognize the multifaceted nature of marginalized persons.
Racism, Mental Health, Critical Race Theory, Systemic discrimination.
Humour and ideology: Stylistic and Strategic Analysis of PTI and PML-N Memes in the Pakistan Elections 2024
This paper focuses on analysing political memes, specifically PTI and PML-N memes during Pakistan’s election period of 2024 and the ideologies implied through those memes. The study tends to combine humour (a stylistic component) with ideology (a strategic element) to analyse political memes. Despite social media’s growing influence, the stylistic and strategic use of memes in the 2024 elections remains underexplored. Therefore, the research objectives are to explore how humour is used stylistically in memes to attract viewers’ attention and the political ideologies reflected in those memes, thereby affecting public perception. Qualitative methodology is used in this research study. In total, five political memes targeting PTI and PML-N are collected from social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. These memes are collected for the study, which is a stylistic and strategic analysis of political memes during the 2024 elections that convey ideology and are visually humorous. The memes are analysed using multimodal critical discourse analysis theory by Gunther Kress and Theo van Leeuwen, which focuses on four primary levels of meaning: representational, interactional, compositional, and social and cultural context. The memes create sarcasm, mockery, and humour, directed towards the institutions, politicians, and the government. The practical implications of this study are that memes use humour to convey hidden ideologies and critique political opponents, helping viewers decode and critically analyse their content.
Humour, ideology, stylistic elements, strategic elements, political memes, Pakistan elections 2024, MCDA, public perception
Language Shift from Lasi into Urdu: A Sociolinguistic Investigation of Lasbela Community in Pakistan
This study investigates sociolinguistic changes from Lasi to Urdu in the Lasi-speaking community of Lasbela District, Balochistan, Pakistan. The research examined the primary reasons and trends, along with the conclusions of this change, highlighting economic, sociocultural, educational, and linguistic factors responsible for it. A qualitative analysis was conducted, including semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals who speak Lasi as a native language from Hub and Karachi. Thematic analysis of the data collected identified the primary factors responsible for this change. This research has found that education, cross-cultural marriages, migration, job demands, and the dominance of Urdu in urban areas have contributed to a sustained decline in the use of the Lasi language among youth in these areas. The study suggests that the Lasi language is on the brink of extinction unless necessary measures are taken to preserve it. This study provides insights into broader dynamics of language change in multilingual societies in Pakistan.
Lasi language, Urdu, Language Shift, Sociolinguistics, Multilingualism, Balochistan
A Study of Resistance against Racial Segregation of African Americans in Americanah by Adichie
Abstract The study explores resistance against racial segregation of African Americans in Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The novel reveals how race functions as a social construct, with white society attributing undesirable traits to Black people to justify their marginalization. African Americans face racial discrimination in various aspects of life, reflecting the systemic racism entrenched in white-dominated social structures. This study applies Critical Race Theory to examine the resistance strategies adopted by Black individuals against white hegemonic power. Adichie portrays race as an ingrained element of American society, where Black individuals experience stigmatization, exclusion, and denial of fundamental rights such as equal citizenship. The white community dehumanizes them, reducing their social and moral worth. In response, African Americans employ different forms of resistance to confront these injustices and reclaim equality and recognition. The novel depicts this through Dike’s suicide, which exposes the psychological pain of racial rejection, and Ifemelu’s rejection of white norms, which asserts her identity and self-respect. It also highlights unequal opportunities in education and employment, emphasizing the persistent struggle for justice and dignity. The study concludes that Americanah challenges systemic racism and celebrates the resilience and agency of Black identity.
Racism, Segregation, Oppressed, Phenotype, Genotype, ancestry, Americanah
A Content Analysis of Address Terms in Business Communication through Game Theory and Linguistic Adaptability Model
This qualitative study explores the various types and functions behind the use of address terms in business communication, within regular customer-shopkeeper interactions. Qualitative Content Analysis, along with the Adaptation theory and GTS (Game theory Semantics), are used for the detailed analysis of socio-cultural aspects and to unfold the purpose of using Address Terms in Business Communication. The sample comprises 60 different shopkeepers and customers at different busy business places in Lahore, i.e. Shah Alam Market, Anarkali and Ichra Bazaar (Market). Data is collected in the form of recordings and images of the conversation between the sampled shopkeepers and customers in naturally occurring context. The corpus of the recordings comprised the address terms, which were codified under different variables: Gender, Age, Status, Appearance, Cultural Background, cast and religion. A semi-structured interview for the shopkeepers and a questionnaire for the customers are also used to get more objective results. This is a less researched area in Pakistan and this study will be a gateway for the other researchers for upcoming projects and research focusing gender dynamics, conflict resolution, evolution and cross-cultural communication. This research offers insights into the implicit strategies that influence customer relationships.
Address Terms, Business Communication, Content Analysis, Adaptation Theory, GTS
AN ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE-IN-EDUCATION POLICY IN PAKISTAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Language policy in education (LiEP) is one of the critical factors in developing learning activities and achieving academic success. In multilingual countries like Pakistan, where Urdu, English, and regional languages coexist, the language policy has significant implications for equity in learning, access, and the resultant outcomes. This empirical study examines the effects of the LiEP on student learning outcomes at both the primary and secondary levels, providing a detailed analysis of English-medium and Urdu-medium teaching. Through methodological triangulation, which involves document analysis, surveys and classroom observations, the study establishes salient policy deficiencies, implementation barriers and linguistic inequities. The results show that while English proficiency is associated with improved academic achievement and higher socioeconomic mobility, it also perpetuates gaps between urban and rural student groups. The research concludes with recommendations proposing a balanced, multilingual model that will improve understanding and inclusivity, aimed at increasing overall academic success.
Language-in-education policy (LiEP), Urdu, English, Regional languages, Socioeconomic mobility, Linguistic inequalities
FROM LOCAL TONGUES TO GLOBAL ENGLISH: SOCIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN PAKISTANI HIGHER EDUCATION
This study examines the sociological aspects of linguistic and cultural diversity within the higher education context of Pakistan, with a particular focus on the shift from local languages to global English. Pakistan is a multilingual society with several regional languages, as well as Urdu and English. These languages present both opportunities and challenges to students and teachers when engaging in academic discourse and pursuing social belonging and identity. This research study employs qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and classroom observations at several selected universities. Bourdieu’s theories inform this study on linguistic capital and cultural reproduction by examining the impact of social-structural language hierarchies on access, dominance, and academic underachievement. The findings aim to capture the tensions between the role of English as a global lingua franca and the sociocultural importance of local indigenous languages, whose value is often overlooked in higher education. This study addresses the need for research that informs policy on equitable language practices to support inclusivity and linguistic equity in Pakistani higher education.
linguistic, sociological aspects, cultural diversity, Bourdieu’s theories, English as a global lingua franca.
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Assimilation: Language and Accent as the Marker of Identity
The novel "Americanah" by Chimamanda Adichie explores themes of migration, identity, racial dynamics, and the role of language and accent in the formation of identity. Spoken language and accent provide cues to individuals’ social identities and social status. There is a gap in scholarly analysis that examines how these elements impact the immigrants' experiences. The objective of this study is to investigate how the characters use language to negotiate their identities and social standing in diverse settings and how they switch accents to make cultural shifts, claim their identities, and take advantage of different opportunities. It explored the interplay of race, gender, and class using the paradigm of intersectionality. The research employed qualitative content analysis and quantitative research design. It was found out that the immigrants frequently experienced a conflict between the cultures of their home country and the host country. Hence, linguistic choices may be shaped by a deliberate or subconscious desire to assimilate. Over time, an individual's accent is likely to mirror that of the group with which they identify. The linguistic challenges faced by the protagonist underscore the broader immigrant experience, where language becomes a key aspect of negotiating one's cultural identity in a new environment. This mirrors real-world situations where English language proficiency plays a role in both social and career mobility. Even in Pakistan, a strong command of English enhances one's employability and opens doors to opportunities. The study also prompts the readers to question cultural biases and stereotypes prevalent in their own country.
Ethnocentrism, intersectionality, linguistic practices, accent, identity
Predicting Commitment to Teaching in Pre-Service Teachers of Lahore: The Role of Personality Traits and Self-Efficacy
Educational attainment is an agent of personal development, social cohesion, and retention of culture. The current study analyses the correlations among personality characteristics, self-efficacy, and professional commitment amongst pre-service teachers in Lahore. Using a quantitative research design, the study involved 520 participants recruited through convenience sampling in nine universities across the public and private sectors. The data collection was based on a closed-ended questionnaire that included three standardized instruments with a five-point Likert scale. The findings showed that a strong positive correlation existed between professional commitment, personality traits, and self-efficacy. Commitment was positively and strongly correlated with openness as part of the personality domain. Self-efficacy was found to be the most powerful single predictor of commitment and personality traits, though it was less significant in predicting commitment. The results indicate that confidence boosting strategies and personality development should be incorporated into the teacher education curricula. Institutions are thus advised to incorporate selective coursework, mentorship programs, and real-life professional practices as a way of instilling long-lasting dedication in prospective teachers. It would also be helpful for policy-makers to promote systems of professional development that lead to long-term involvement in the teaching profession.
Pre Service Teachers, Commitment; Personality Traits; Self-Efficacy
SOUTH ASIAN VOICES IN ENGLISH: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF LINGUISTIC VARIATION IN PAKISTANI AND INDIAN ENGLISH NOVELS
The research investigates lexico-grammatical differences between Pakistani and Indian English fiction. The research analyses Pakistani and Indian English fiction through Biber’s (1991) Multidimensional Analysis (MDA) framework. The different English varieties use distinct approaches to storytelling and follow different linguistic patterns. The present research employed a balanced corpus of 150 fiction samples, comprising 75 samples from Pakistan and 75 from India. The data processing utilised the Multidimensional Analysis Tagger (MAT). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS. The research employed descriptive statistics together with factor analysis. The research examined five distinct dimensions: involved versus informational discourse, narrative vs. non-narrative, explicit vs. situation-dependent, persuasive versus non-persuasive, and abstract versus personal discourse. The analysis reveals that Pakistani literary works, along with Indian narratives, share a prominent structural framework that incorporates informational discourse elements, reflecting a preference for informational over involved discourse. Indian texts depend on situational context rather than explicit statements. Additionally, the persuasive elements in Pakistani writing appear slightly more frequent than in Indian writing, which uses a more formal approach. Both countries favour personal and context-specific over abstract, impersonal discourse. The research reveals significant statistical differences between the two countries.
Multidimensional Analysis, South Asian Englishes, Indian English Fiction, Pakistani English Fiction, World Englishes
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF MIGRATION, CULTURAL CONFLICT, AND SOCIETAL STRAIN IN DUNKI: A POSTCOLONIAL AND STRAIN THEORY PERSPECTIVE
This research article examines the emotional and societal challenges depicted in the film Dunki from the perspectives of postcolonial theory and strain theory. The film chronicles the journey of several characters, with Manu being notably affected by the pressures of poverty and the aspiration for a better life. Manu ultimately decides to engage in illegal migration. Strain theory is employed to investigate the ways in which societal expectations and the absence of legitimate opportunities result in deviant behaviors, such as illicit immigration, as a strategy for achieving success. The research also investigates the methods through which emotional distress and decision-making are exacerbated by cultural conflict, which occurs when traditional values clash with modern aspirations. Furthermore, postcolonial theory is employed to comprehend the persistent influence of colonial legacies on identity, migration, and societal norms, which influence the characters' self-perception and decisions. The intricate interplay of societal pressure, emotional strain, and the enduring effects of colonialism on migration and identity is revealed in this article by examining Dunki through these theoretical frameworks. The results underscore the psychological toll of migration and the catastrophic repercussions that can occur when individuals are entangled between societal expectations and multiple identities.
Dunki, Cinema, Illegal Immigration, Cultural Conflict, Postcolonial Theory, Strain Theory
Copyright (c) 2024 INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN OF LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE (IBLL)
Analysing Gender Indoctrination as a Subjugating Policy against Women in Pakistani English Fiction
The concepts like rejection, objectification, deprivation, and discrimination are not new regarding the suffering of women in the twenty-first century. Women are particularly susceptible to the prevalent situations in today's fast-paced society. This paper analyses The Holy Woman by Qaisara Shahraz in the context of women's subjugation based on gender discrimination. It focuses on how Pakistani society and culture are portrayed in the novel and examines gender discrimination in terms of stereotypes, inequality, racial preferences, otherness, targeting objectification and personal prejudice in various facets of the lives of the novel's characters. Gender discrimination includes the systematic mistreatment of women because it is prejudiced against their socially prescribed roles. The goal of this research is to examine how inherited patriarchal culture operates against women and gender discrimination that affects the lives of the characters portrayed in the novel. This study makes use of qualitative research and the theoretical framework of gender theory and demonstrates how historically, socially, and traditionally, women are assigned poor positions in society. The finding shows that Qaisra Shahraz artistically portrayed the challenges of gender discrimination against women in a society that treats them as a commodity and operates against their dreams and wishes. The study further reveals that women in Pakistani culture are subjugated and are denied their basic rights as portrayed in the novel.
Subjugation, Gender Inequality, Commodification, Segregation, Oppression, Patriarchy and Discrimination.
Navigating Pragmatic Competence of Pakistani EFL Learners' Face-threatening Acts: A Qualitative Study
Realisation of face-threatening acts (FTAs) is a Herculean task for EFL/ESL because it involves understanding the intricacies of politeness and social norms of the target language. The present study focuses on assessing the pragmatic competence of Pakistani English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in realising FTAs such as ordering, suggesting, and advising. The study utilised a qualitative research design. By employing purposive sampling, the researchers involved BS English novices (n=60) studying in three public-sector colleges in Lahore. The data were collected with the help of the Discourse Completion Task (DCT). The data were analysed qualitatively through a content analysis approach. The analysed data suggested that Pakistani EFL learners showed an understanding of FTAs. Pakistani L2 learners struggle with pragmatic competence, with directness, politeness, and mitigation devices lacking. The study had academic and pedagogical ramifications.
Pragmatic competence, face-threatening acts, politeness, discourse completion task, Pakistani EFL learners
Linguistic Acquisition and Competence: A Case Study of Native Speakers’ Idiomatic Competence
Since idiomatic language improves speakers’ communicative ability and thinking skills, this qualitative case study investigates the idiomatic competence of young Urdu NSs. For the data collection, eighty Urdu speakers filled in a Discourse-Completion Task followed by a detailed interview of ten key informants, chosen based on their performance in the task. The findings reveal that Pakistani youth are inclined to learn English, and the elderly people have stopped using Urdu idioms in their discourse; therefore, the youth cannot comprehend and use idioms appropriately. Hence, they are not growing cognitively and have become semilinguals. The results suggest that at the acquisition stage, children should be provided with complete knowledge of the native language to build their figurative competence. Further, the older generation must transmit these expressions to the younger generation not only to improve their communicative competence but also to maintain the language and its culture.
Investigating Racial Marginality in Athol Fugard’s The Blood Knot
South African Literature of twentieth century exhibits manifold facets of racism. It is a powerful expression not only of how the black people are forced to live on the edges of marginality but also foregrounds multiple impacts of racial marginalization on the lives and psyches of the oppressed. The current research, in the same vein, attempts to investigate the impacts of racial discrimination on black people in the context of the play understudy and secondly, it analyses how marginality is psychologically deep-rooted in the non-white South Africans. Insights pertinent to the research objectives are gleaned from Critical Race Theory (CRT) as propounded by Richard Delgado. In the framework of Critical Race Theory (CRT), the study focuses on varied impacts of racism on main characters. The research findings suggest that the non-white South Africans face blatant discrimination on the basis of their race and it impacts their lives in negative ways. However, the racism is engrained to the extent of being naturalized. That is to say that the way they endorse this white supremacy, it indicates that they have internalized such social roles and the resultant racial discrimination.