Department of English

Assignment#: 01 Roll #: 21021502-012

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

Subject
Code:
ENG-428

Topic of Assignment:
Syntactic and grammatical features of Pakistani
English

Subject Name:
World Englishes

Submitted To:
Behzad Anwar

Submitted By:
Aqsa khalid
Submission Date:
09/12/2024
 Introduction

In different parts of the world, English is used as an international language. When English is
used as second language than certain variation and changes could be observed at lexical,
semantic, syntactic and grammatical levels. Due to the influence of native language ,Pakistani
bilinguals also have the trend to make certain variation at different level. According to Bamgbose
(1998, p. 1) “a non-native English situation is basically an innovative situation involving certain
well-known processes of nativization”. Pakistani English newspapers contain innovations at
syntactic because “English has been appropriated by its non-European users and changed to
reflect their own experiences” (Mair, 2008, p. 235). In Pakistani newspapers, different syntactic
variations have been observed.

 Article

The article “the” is often used differently by as compared to SBE.Standard British English are
followed by the pattern: one of the + plural word, which is sometime neglected by Pakistani
bilinguals. The article “the” is also used to specify something. This is clear by the examples
below:

 As per Dwan’s report, one of amendment ( instead of ,one of the amendments )was a
modification in the definition of “social media platform”, which would be expanded to
add “website”, “application”, or “communication channel” that allow people to access
social media and post content in it’s ambition.
 Most of times ( most of the times ) terms and conditions were not favorable.
 The development was hailed by Western capitals, with US (SBE the US) president Joe
Biden calling it a moment of historic opportunity to for Syria.

 Non-prepositions Verbs as prepositional

This feature can also be seen in Pakistani newspaper because of the influence of local languages.
Here is an example:

 Separately, another bench of IHC comprise of justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir was
informed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is now facing a total of 76 cases in
Islamabad.
 The defence lawyers contested for the remand, highlighting alleged discrepancies in the
arests

Because of the influence of the first language, sometime Pakistani bilinguals

omitted/substituted the preposition. Here is an example:
  Although, the report submitted to the court stated that earlier 62 cases were filled (SBE
filled in ) against him earlier but after the recent protest of the party 14 more cases were
registered against him.

 Auxiliary

Sometimes “should” is replaced by “must” as is clear from the following examples:

 During policy-making, the government must ensure about the voices of all marginalized
communities, as inclusivity is the main concern of any growing democracy.
 Pakistan must delivered a spirited team performance to claim a thrilling two-wicket
victory against Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I at Queens sports club on Thursday.

 Pluralization of Uncountable Nouns

Pakistani Journalistic English often pluralized the uncountable noun.This feature is shown
below.

 We call upon India to halt its oppressive policies, which are in clear violation of
international law, and to respects the fundamental rights of the kashmiri people.

 Pakistan yesterday said that the behaviors of Indian politicians lack will to engage in
dialogue to resolve the issues including the kishmir dispute.

 She highlights Pakistan’s responsible approach despite strained relations.

 Reciprocal pronouns

The reciprocal pronoun “each other” is preferred between two antecedents. One the other hand,”
one another” is used between more than two antecedents. But ,Pakistani bilinguals use differently
as seen in the following examples:

 Pakistani politician are attacking each other rather than solving the nation’s problems.
 Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf, criticized the actions of government and
expressed the solidarity with one another in attacking the suppression of protests.

 Reflexive pronouns
The reflexive pronouns is omitted in the reflexive verbs as exert and enjoy in the following
examples:

 Celebration on the streets as rebel groups exert the control of Damascus by their own
will(instead of themselves).
 The development was hailed by Western capitals, with US president Joe Biden calling it a
moment of historic opportunity for Syria, “they enjoyed the victory
immediately”(themselves).

 Use of tenses

In some cases, due to the influence of native language, Pakistani bilinguals uses past perfect
tense rather than simple past tense.Here are few examples:

 Separately, PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen,while talking to the media outside the ATC,
accused the police of engaging in racial profiling. “They just look at the CNICs and pick
up anyone who’s card had made in kPk.”

When time is specified then simple past tense is used.

 Three people were injured in a grenade-cum-firing attack in Daulatkhel area here late on
4th December.
 The court had directed the police to ensure the appearance of the suspects on the next
hearing on Dec 19.

 Structure of a compound subject-NP

The correct structure is second person, third person and then first person. This following
structure is the translation of Urdu equivalents.

 An injured, Mohammad Arif, said that l and my friend were sitting in the guestroom of
Ihsanullah when they saw a flashback.

 Connective pairs

In standard British English, certain connective pairs,i.e, although-but ,because-so, are not used
together. The examples from Pakistani English newspapers are as following.

 Because the Islamabad High court had granted bail to Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana
case on October 23, so she was released from Adiala Jail.
  Although, the report submitted to the court stated that earlier 62 cases were filled against
him earlier but after the recent protest of the party 14 more cases were registered against
him.
 Although Pakistan clinched the series 2-1 with dominant wins in the first two matches,
but Zimbabwe reached the finish line with just one ball to spare.

 Idiomatic Innovation

Pakistani English speaker sometimes modify English idioms. They omit, insert or replace the
functional words most particularly article. Basically they give a local touch .

 In global market, both variants will sell by company. Contrary to it, the model number
"2404ARN451" of Redmi is in India.Last but not the least(SBE last but not least )the
version of the device for American represents through the model number "24049RN28L.

 Reported questions and reporting indirect speech

There are few changes in reported questions. This is clear from the following examples:

 Whether you were suspended, paralyzed, or declared these clauses of the constitution
unconstitutional.
 If not, under what authority the 26th Amendment brought into discussion.(auxiliary is
omitted).
 He told that he (SBE I ) came out of the guestroom and yelled at suspects including
Shafiq,Naseer and Mustafa, who hurled a grenade and also opened fire correspondent.

 Double Subjects

The double subjects is commonly seen in the political speech as well as writing .This is shown in
the following examples:

 The farmers, they are the backbone of our economy.

 The youth of Pakistan, they are the future of this nation
 Pakistan, it will always remain strong.

 Different phrases

Britishers used the phrase mark sheet instead of date sheet as shown in the following example:

 Federal public service commission has announced the date sheet for Css 2024, exams
will be started between the mid of the February and the last week of February
 Conclusion

The features described above are taken from Pakistani English newspaper highlight the influence
of local languages. These features are variate from Standard British English, but acceptable due
to the influence of native language. New Englishes have expanded the features and Pakistani
English is also on exception in this regard. The most significant aspect of features that is
described above is that these features are intelligible to Pakistani bilinguals.