Pakistani English

Introduction:

Pakistani English or Paklish or Pinglish, is the group of English language varieties spoken and

written in Pakistan. It was first so recognised and designated in the 1970s and 1980s.  Pakistani
English (PE) is slightly different from other dialects of English in respect to vocabulary, syntax,
accent, spellings of some words and other features.

English language is the first language of developed countries and Pakistan includes in the
developing countries. Thus, English language is very important for the international relations. In
this way,we should focus on English language for the betterment of our country. In addition,our
students go abroad for higher education and they should be expert in English language for their
survival in the foreign country. In this way, we can compete the world by giving the importance
to English language. In the nutshell, I would like to say that English is very important for every
individual. As well as ,English language enhance the personality of the speaker. Thus our
government should take strict actions to improve our education system. So, that every individual
can get education in the Pakistan and work for the betterment of the Pakistan.

To begin with English language is used as a medium of instruction in the educational institutions.
For instance,the teacher deliver their lectures throughout in the English language at the
universities. Similarly,the teachers force their students to speak English during the class. In this
way, we can see the importance of English language in the higher level education. In addition,
the teacher teaches English language to their students through different courses such as TEFL.
As well as, students have opportunity to improve their speaking skill through the conversation
with their teachers and fellows in English language. Therefore educational institution give
pretence to English language as a medium of instruction.

Moreover, English language is used as official language in the many countries of the world. As
well as, Englishspeaker have more opportunity for the best jobs in the private and government
sectors in the Pakistan .In the same way, society give pretence to English speaker as compare to
speaker of other languages. As well as society give difference to that individual who is fluent in

speaking English.

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How Many Pakistani Speek English:

English is one of Pakistan's official languages, along with Urdu. Although virtually nobody
in Pakistan speaks English as a first language, around 49% of the population do speak it as a
second language.

About the Country:

A Profile of Pakistan:

Official Languages:

Urdu, English

English - Urdu Hello – salam, Thank you –

shukriya, Friend – dost.

Population:

About 218.9 million.

Capital:

Islamabad

Key industries:

Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing;

manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade.

Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of

Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world’s fifth-most populous country with a
population exceeding 218.9 million people. In area, it is the 33rd-largest country, spanning
881,913 square kilometres (340,509 square miles). Pakistan has a 1,046-kilometre (650-mile)
coastline along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by India to the
east, Afghanistan to the west, Iran to the southwest, and China in the northeast. It is separated

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narrowly from Tajikistan by Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor in the northwest, and also shares a
maritime border with Oman.

The History of Pakistani English:

Although British rule in India lasted for almost two hundred years, the areas which lie in what is
now Pakistan were amongst the last to be annexed: Sindh in 1842, Punjab (which initially
included the North-West Frontier Province) in 1849, and parts of Baluchistan, including Quetta
and the outer regions in 1879, while the rest of the Baluchistan region became a princely
state within the British Indian Empire. As a result, British English had less time to become part
of local culture though it did become part of elite culture as it was used in elite schools and in
higher education, as in the rest of British India. In 1947 upon Pakistan's establishment, English
became the de facto official language, a position which was formalised in the Constitution of
Pakistan of 1973. Together with Urdu, the two languages are concurrently the official languages
of the country. English language continues as the language of power and is also the language
with the maximum cultural capital of any language used in Pakistan. It remains much in demand
in higher education in Pakistan.

The term Pinglish is first recorded in 1999, being a blend of the words Pakistani and English,

with 'e' changed to 'i' to better represent pronunciation. Another colloquial portmanteau
word is Paklish (recorded from 1997).

Relationship with Indian English:

Pakistani English (PE) shares many similarities with Indian English, but since the independence
of Pakistan, there have been some very obvious differences. Rahman argues that PE is
an interference variety of English created by the use of the features of Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto,
Sindhi and other languages spoken in Pakistan. He further divides PE into Anglicised English,
which is very similar to the speech and writing of the speakers of British Standard English
(BSE), acrolect PE, which is used by Pakistanis educated in English-medium schools, mesolectal

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PE, which is used by ordinary, Urdu-educated Pakistanis and basilect PE, which is used by
people of little formal education, such as guides and waiters. Words and expressions of PE have
been noted by a number of scholars, including unique idioms and colloquial expressions as well
as accents. Foreign companies find accent neutralisation easier in Pakistan than in India.
However, like Indian English, Pakistani English has preserved many phrases that are now
considered antiquated in Britain.

Use Of English In Pakistan :

 Urdu and English are Pakistan's official languages. All government documents, many
street signs, many shop signs, business contracts and other activities use English. The
language of the courts is also English.
 English is taught to all school-level Pakistani students, and in many cases the medium of
instruction is also in English. Although there are also many schools that teach in the local
languages, there is a huge emphasis on English as a second language especially in
standardised testing. At college and university level, all instructions are typically in
English.
 Pakistan boasts a large English language press and (more recently) media. All of
Pakistan's major dailies are published in or have an edition in English, while DAWN
News was a major English Language News Channel, before 15 May 2010 when it
switched its language to Urdu, Express 24/7 was another important English news
channel, now defunct. Code-switching (the concurrent use of more than one language, or
language variety, in conversation) is common in Pakistan and almost all conversations in
whatever language have a significant English component. The language of pleading in all
courts of Pakistan is also English.

Pakistani English Literature:

Pakistani English literature refers to English literature that has been developed and evolved
in Pakistan, as well as by members of the Pakistani diaspora who write in theEnglish language.
English is one of the official languages of Pakistan (the other being Urdu) and has a history
going back to the British colonial rule in South Asia (the British Raj); the national dialect spoken

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in the country is known as Pakistani English. Today, it occupies an important and integral part in
modern Pakistani literature. Dr. Alamgir Hashmi introduced the term "Pakistani Literature
[originally written] in English" with his "Preface" to his pioneering book Pakistani Literature:
The Contemporary English Writers (New York, 1978; Islamabad, 1987) as well as through his
other scholarly work and the seminars and courses taught by him in many universities since
1970's. It was established as an academic discipline in the world following his lead and further
work by other scholars, and it is now a widely popular field of study.

Grammar:

The role of English within the complex multilingual society of Pakistan is far from
straightforward: it is used across the country by speakers with various degrees of proficiency; the
grammar and phraseology may mimic that of the speaker's first language. While Pakistani
speakers of English use idioms peculiar to their homeland (often literal translations of words and
phrases from their native languages), this is far less common in proficient speakers, and grammar
tends to be quite close to that of Standard English but exhibiting some features of American
English.

Phonology:

Pakistani English phonology follows that of British English. It may be rhotic or non-rhotic.
Rahman provides a broad introduction to the phonology of Pakistani English.

Influences:

Pakistani English is heavily influenced by Pakistan's languages as well as the English of other
nations. Many words or terms from Urdu, such as 'cummerbund', have entered the global
language and are also found in Pakistan. In addition the area which is now Pakistan was home to
the largest garrisons of the British Indian Army (such as Rawalpindi and Peshawar) and this,
combined with the post-partition influence of the Pakistan Military, has ensured that many
military terms have entered the local jargon.
The type of English taught (and preferred) is British English. The heavy influence and
penetration of American culture through television, films and other media has brought in great
influences of American English.

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Vocabulary and Colloquialisms:

Pakistani English contains many unique terms, as well as terms which are utilised somewhat
differently in Pakistan. For instance, "chips" is used forpotato chips as well as for French
fries (usage of these terms is common in the UK) and "lemon" is used for both lime and lemon.
 “Uncle / Aunty" – Respectful way of addressing anyone who is significantly older than
oneself: "Uncle, please give way".
 Use of double and triple for numbers occurring twice or three times in succession (this is
also in usage in the UK), especially for a phone number: for example, a phone number
2233344 would be pronounced as "double two, triple three, double four"; however the
phone number 2222555 would be pronounced as ”double two, double two, triple five”.
 Shopper means a shopping bag, rather than a person who is shopping, the latter is
referred to as a customer.
 Petrol pump — This term used to refer to a petrol station (gas station).
 "Hill Station" – mountain resort.
 Cooling glasses – sunglasses
 "cent per cent", "cent percent" – "100 percent/100 per cent" as in "He got cent per cent in
math/maths".
 "loose motion" – diarrhoea
 "carrying" – to be pregnant, as in "She is carrying".
 "expire" – To die, especially in reference to one's family member.
 Curd – yogurt.
 ragging – also used in public schools in the UK, hazing (US).
 Weeping – crying.
 Over – to speak frankly. "Don't be too over with me."
 Use of the phrases like nothing or like anything to express intensity. For example, "These
people will cheat you like anything". Such usage was part of colloquial English language
in seventeenth century Britain and America.

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Numbering System:

The Pakistani numbering system is preferred for digit grouping. When written in words, or when
spoken, numbers less than 100,000 are expressed just as they are in Standard English. Numbers
including and beyond 100,000 are expressed in a subset of the Pakistani numbering system.
Thus, the following scale is used:

In digits (SE) In digits (PE) In words (SE) In words (PE)

10 ten

100 One hundred

1,000 One thousand

10,000 Ten thousand

100,000 100,000 One hundred One lac/lakh

thousand
1,000,000 1,000,000 One million Ten lakh

10,000,000 10,000,000 Ten million One crore

1,000,000,000 1,000,000,000 One billion One arab

1,00,000,000,000 1,00,000,000,000 One hundred billion One kharab

Larger numbers are generally expressed as multiples of the above.

Medical Terms:
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 Pakistani English
Often the cause of undesirable confusion.

 Viral Fever: Influenza
 Sugar: Diabetes
 Jaundice: Acute Hepatitis. While standard medical terminology uses jaundice for a
symptom (yellow discolouration of skin), in Pakistan the term is used to refer to the illness in
which this symptom is most common.
 Allopathy, used by homoeopaths to refer to conventional medicine.

Food:
 Brinjal: aubergines / eggplant
 Capsicum: called chili pepper, red or green pepper, or sweet pepper in the UK; capsicum
in Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India; bell pepper in the US, Canada, and
the Bahamas; and paprika in some other countries.
 Curds: Yogurt
 Sooji: Semolina
 Pulses, dal: pulses, e.g. lentils
 Karahi, kadai: wok
 Sago: tapioca, Yuca in US
 Ladyfinger, bhindi: okra
 Sabzi: greens, green vegetables.

Compounding:
 Rickshaw-wallah – one who drives a rickshaw
 Balloonwalla – one who sells balloons Also productive in Urdu.
 paniwala – one who sells water (pani)
 Camel kid – a young boy sent to the Middle East for use as jockeys in camel races
 Childlifter – a lifter is a thief Bottle-cap lifter and shop lifter as the only lifter.
 To head carry- to carry on the head.
 Country-made: locally made.

Affixation:

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Urdu-based and English-based formations

Suffixation :

 The –ee and –(i)er suffix very productive in PakE.

 Earthquake affectees, riot affectees.
 Denter: “I had to go to my denter to get the car repaired (Baumgardner 1998:215).
 Eve- teaser – a youth who harasses girls Prefixation.
 Mostly Urdu-based formations p Anti- and –de productive prefixes.
 “He said that this decision was anti-shariat in spirit” (Baumgardner 1998:219).
 “If I were you, I would de-friend her” (Baumgardner 1998:219).

Importance of English Language:

 It is English that plays the vital role in spreading scientific knowledge. There is infact no
branch pof stufy that has not been communicated in English. The original writings of
great scientists, economists, philosophers, psychologists and others who did not speak
and write the English language have all been translated into English.
 English language hasuniversal use and appeals as a language of science and technology.
Developing and poor countries like Pakistan, India and other South Asian and Gulf
countries can not afford to conduct independent research all the important field’s science.
The science is almost used in fields like the agriculture,industry, health, education,
communication and even the everyday of life matters.
 Moreover, English language is used as official language in the many countries of the
world. As wellas, Englishspeaker have more opportunity for the best jobs in the private
and government sectors in the Pakistan .In the same way, society give pretence to English
speaker as compare to speaker of other languages. As well as society give difference to
that individual who is fluent in speaking English.

Conclusion:

English language is the first language of developed countries and Pakistan includes in the
developing countries. Thus, English language is very important for the international relations. In

9
 Pakistani English
this way,we should focus on English language for the betterment of our country. In addition,our
students go abroad for higher education and they should be expert in English language for their
survival in the foreign country. In this way, we can compete the world by giving the importance
to English language. In the nutshell, I would like to say that English is very important for every
individual. As well as ,English language enhance the personality of the speaker. Thus our
government should take strict actions to improve our education system. So, that every individual
can get education in the Pakistan and work for the betterment of the Pakistan.

Now-a-days, English has become the international language. It play’s an indispensable role in
every field of life. It is believed that English speaker is like a magician in current era.Englaish
language plays an important role in the educational institute of Pakistan.

To begin with English language is used as a medium of instruction in the educational institutions.
For instance,the teacher deliver their lectures throughout in the English language at the
universities. Similarly,the teachers force their students to speak English during the class. In this
way, we can see the importance of English language in the higher level education. In addition,
the teacher teaches English language to their students through different courses such as TEFL.
As well as, students have opportunity to improve their speaking skill through the conversation
with their teachers and fellows in English language. Therefore educational institution give
pretence to English language as a medium of instruction.

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