Pakistani English Information
Pakistani English is the term used to describe the English language as spoken in Pakistan.[1]
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History
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 was annexed in 1843, 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 English had less time to become part of local culture. That it did, and is an integral part of the country's social fabric was due to several reasons which will be explored later in the article. In 1947 upon Pakistan's establishment, English became Pakistan's de facto official language, a position which was formalised in the constitution of 1973.
Relationship with Indian English
Pakistani English shares many similarities with Indian English, however since independence there have been some very obvious differences. These include unique idioms and colloquial expressions as well as accents. Like Indian English, Pakistani English has preserved many phrases that are now considered antiquated in Britain.[2]
Use in Pakistan
English is Pakistan's official language. All government documents, military communications, street signs, many shop signs, business contracts and other activities use English. The language of the courts is also English.[3] English is taught to all school level Pakistani students, and in most cases the medium of instruction is also in English.[4] At College and University level all instruction is in English.[5] 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 is a major English Language News Channel. 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.
Literature
Main article: Pakistani English literaturePhonology
Pakistani English phonology follows that of British English. It may be rhotic or non-rhotic. For a broad introduction to the phonology of Pakistani English, see this paper.
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) 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.
Pakistani English terms
Pakistani English contains many unique terms, as well as terms which are utilised somewhat differently in Pakistan. Examples.
- Opening/closing an object refers to turning something on or off. This is due to the verbs for to open and to close being the same as the verbs for to turn on and to turn off in Urdu and other Pakistani languages.
- Shopper means a shopping bag, rather than a person who is shopping, the latter is referred to as a customer.
- His/her meter has turned means that the person has lost his/her temper. Usually used for a sudden outburst, one which is construed as unreasonable.
- Got no lift—received no attention or assistance from someone.
- In-Charge— a casual as well as formal title given to unit, group or division heads.
- Same to same— an expression to indicate something is exactly the same to some other thing.
- fatigue— a sudden or unnecessary and cumbersome but required process which ought to be avoided.
- On parade—being at work or at a set activity. Usually (though not always) in the context of starting something for the first time. For example, I have been hired by the company, on parade from next Monday.
- Out of station—out of town
- Become a direct Sargent—be promoted out of turn/ given responsibility and authority very early. Often in the context that a person is out of his/her depth. For example, no wonder that team has failed so badly, leader was a direct Sargent. Usually "Sargent" is replaced by "Havildar" the equivalent rank in the Pakistan Army. Also used for upwardly mobile, ambitious or nouveau riche.
- First Class—means top quality; often used by shopkeepers and salesmen to donate good quality.
- Miss is used to address or refer to female teachers, whatever their marital status, e.g. Yes, I have done my homework, Miss. Less commonly used to refer to women colleagues or subordinates.
- Madam is used to address and refer to females in positions of authority, usually a superior, e.g. madam has ordered me to get the figures for last years sales.Can also be used as a noun, e.g. she is the madam of that department meaning she is the head of the department, without it being derogatory.
- Sir is used for a male superior, often combined with their name or used as a noun. E.g. Is Sir in? or Sir Raza wants to see you in his office as soon as possible.
- Do the needful; perform/complete or abstain from doing the required action. E.g. I have enclosed the instructions in the letter, please follow and do the needful. Also seen in Indian and Sri Lankan English.
- Well left—avoided artfully, often a tricky situation; from cricket, the term "well left" is applied when a batsman chose not to play a potentially dangerous delivery, e.g. I well left that offer, it could have caused many problems.
- Threw/received a googly—an unexpected situation arose, a person was surprised, often unpleasantly, e,g had just settled down and then got the googly about the transfer. From googly, a delivery in cricket.
- Yorker—a sudden, dangerous and potentially devastating situation; similar use to googly, but usually has a certain amount of danger attached to it. my mother's heart attack while we were hiking in the mountains hit like a yorker, we were far from any medical help. From Yorker another type of cricket delivery. Also used in a similar manner; bouncer.
- Hit middle stump—did an action action in such a manner that there is little room for further action, or a decisive blow,e.g. really hit middle stump last year on that contract
- Master Sahib, contracted to Ma'Sahib—used to refer to a master craftsman. The term is now however used more frequently to refer to tailors and carpenters.
- Drinking a cigarette/cigar—smoking a cigarette. This is due to the verbs for smoking being the same as the verbs for drinking in Urdu and other Pakistani languages.
- Light Gone— This refers to the electric power outage from the electric supply company .
See also
Notes
- ^ McArthur, Tom, 1998. "Pakistani English." in Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. Retrieved on 2009-06-06.
- ^ How the Woosters captured Delhi - Shashi Tharoor
- ^ A judgement of the Supreme Court.
- ^ Multilingual-matters.net
- ^ UElowermall.edu.pk
References
- Crystal, David (2003-08-03) [1995]. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language (Second ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-53033-4. http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521530334. Retrieved 2006-07-20.
- Rahman, T. (1991). "The use of words in Pakistani English". English Today 7 (02): 32. doi:10.1017/S0266078400005514.
- Nelson, Cecil L.. World Englishes in Asian contexts. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 9622097561.
- Mahboob, A. (2009). English as an Islamic Language: a case study of Pakistani English. World Englishes, 28(2):175-189. Link to abstract
- Mahboob, A. (2008). Pakistani English: morphology and syntax. In R. Mesthrie, B. Kortmann, & E. Schneider (Eds), A Handbook of Varieties of English: Africa, South and Southeast Asia (Vol. 4). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. Link to abstract
- Mahboob, A. & Ahmar, N. (2008). Pakistani English: phonology. In R. Mesthrie, B. Kortmann, & E. Schneider (Eds), A Handbook of Varieties of English: Africa, South and Southeast Asia (Vol. 4). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. Link to abstract
- Hartford, B. & Mahboob, A. (2004). Models of discourse in the letter of complaint. World Englishes, 23(4): 585 - 600. Link to abstract
External links
Categories: Languages of Pakistan | Pakistani English | English dialects
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