Linguistic Forum (LinFo) (E-Journal)
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Gender Differences in the Use of Boosters in the Pakistani Opinion Columns: A Corpus-Based Study
Get PDFPrior research has extensively explored gender differences in linguistic strategies across various genres; however, the specific use of boosters in opinion columns by different genders remains under-examined. This corpus-based study investigates whether Pakistani male and female authors exhibit distinct patterns in the utilization of boosters within opinion texts. Analyzing a corpus of 500 opinion columns authored by Pakistani writers of both genders, this study employs Hyland's (2005) framework to identify boosting devices and adopts quantitative methods for data analysis. The analysis is facilitated by the use of MetaPak (2017), a specialized tool for textual analysis. Contrary to expectations, the findings reveal no significant differences in booster usage between male and female opinion writers, suggesting that the prevalence and distribution of boosters are influenced more by genre conventions than by gender. This study contributes to the understanding of linguistic choices in gendered writing within the specific context of Pakistani opinion columns
A Cognitive Study of Humor: A Pragmatic and Sociocultural Approach
Get PDFThis research conducts a comprehensive examination of humor through a cognitive, pragmatic, and sociocultural lens. Guided by a theoretical framework integrating Relevance Theory, Incongruity Theory, and Script-based Semantic Theory, the study employs a mixed-methods approach including online survey as well as collection of facts from already published articles. All the mentioned theories are interrelated as they provide a multifaceted exploration of humor’s cognitive processes, pragmatic elements, and sociocultural influences. The participant sample for this research is 80 students at the National University of Modern Languages, Faisalabad. Ethical considerations underscore the commitment to respectful research practices. The findings revealed that humor is a pervasive element in Faisalabad's daily life, predominantly manifested through verbal, visual, and situational forms. Notably, preferences for sarcasm and irony were prevalent, though individual responses varied, highlighting the influence of personal cognitive differences. The findings also underscored the embedded nature of humor within cultural norms and its complex role in communication. The study reveals that humor in Faisalabadi society is deeply influenced by cultural contexts and individual cognitive differences, serving as a dynamic tool for social interaction and cultural understanding
The Discourse-Historical Approach and Ideologies in the Speeches of Turkish Presidents
Get PDFIn the pursuit of consolidating their authority and promoting their political doctrines, politicians harness the power of discourse. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) serves as a vital instrument for scrutinizing and critiquing the intricate interplay between discourse and power. Within the framework of CDA theories, this study embarks on an exploration of the discursive and argumentative tactics employed by two prominent Turkish presidents, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Employing a comparative approach, the research aims to underscore the ideological disparities manifested in their language use, drawing upon the Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA). The application of the Discourse-Historical Approach brings to light a spectrum of strategies, including the Shift of Blame, Legitimation, and Discontinuation strategies. The results gleaned from this investigation shed light on the pervasive presence of ideology and power at various discernible linguistic and structural levels within the realm of political speeches. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how discourse is wielded as a tool for political influence and ideological dissemination
Developing Listening Ability Through Podcast for Secondary Level Students in Pakistan
Get PDFListening comprehension is a fundamental skill in second language acquisition, with learners often revisiting and reflecting upon the content they hear to extract maximum value from it. In this context, it is imperative for educators to possess a comprehensive understanding of media that can enhance and streamline the listening process for students. This research endeavors to introduce the integration of podcasts into the English listening curriculum for grade 8 students at Govt. MC Boys Central Model High School, Millet Colony, Rawalpindi. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methodologies was employed, with group interviews serving as a key component of the research. Pre-tests and post-tests were administered to assess the impact of podcast incorporation on students' listening skills. The findings of this study reveal a significant improvement in students' listening abilities after the implementation of podcasts, underscoring the effectiveness of this innovative pedagogical approach. Additionally, this research sheds light on the advantages and challenges associated with utilizing podcasts in an educational context, offering valuable insights from a pedagogical perspective. The incorporation of podcasts into the English listening curriculum represents a promising avenue for enhancing language learning and teaching strategies in the contemporary classroom
Schooling and Students’ Linguistic and Cultural Identity in Baltistan: Silencing the Local Music
Get PDFThis paper investigates the role of the schooling process in shaping the linguistic and cultural identity of secondary school students in Baltistan, a region in Northern Pakistan known for its unique culture and the Sino-Tibetan language 'Balti'. Specifically, the study examines the impact of excluding local music from school activities on students' linguistic and cultural identity. Previous literature highlights the significant value of local music in Baltistan, which serves as an integral part of cultural life, rituals, and ceremonies, contributing to a strong sense of identity among students. However, over time, music has been discouraged for various reasons. Surprisingly, the data reveals that neither private nor public schools offer music lessons, reflecting a growing conservative attitude towards music and its negative implications for students' linguistic and cultural affiliation. Consequently, students are alienated and distanced from their local musical traditions, which poses policy challenges in fostering an inclusive learning environment that supports the positive development of linguistic and cultural identity.
 
Embedding Elements from Foreign Language into The Native Language Through Pashto-English Code-Mixed Speech
Get PDFAn individual's language style may undergo changes based on factors such as the topic of conversation, the passage of time, the interlocutors involved, and the social context or setting of the conversation. During this shift in speech style, various elements from one language may be incorporated into another through diverse strategies. This phenomenon, known as code-switching and code-mixing, involves the embedding of foreign elements into the native language. One crucial strategy in this process is the adjustment of speech style influenced by the context or setting, whether formal or informal. For instance, speakers tend to exercise greater caution in their speech and diction in more formal contexts, and conversely, adopt a more relaxed approach in informal settings. This study aims to explore the strategies of style shift observed when incorporating elements from English into Pashto, focusing on the influence of social context. Primary data for this study were collected from native Pashto speakers, involving spoken corpora from forty randomly selected participants. Each participant engaged in a half-hour conversation recorded via mobile phone, encompassing both formal academic and informal settings. The data collection occurred in two consecutive stages: the first stage involved gathering data in a formal setting, while the second stage captured speech in an informal context. Following data collection, tokens representing instances where participants altered their speech style were extracted from the recorded conversations. These selected tokens were then analyzed using the cross-comparison technique. The findings reveal a correlation between the level of formality in speech and the degree of attention paid to it, indicating that a more formal speech style emerges when greater consideration is given to the language used, and conversely, a more informal style is adopted with less attention to formality
The Role of Diacritics in Reading Urdu. Can children read without “the dots”?
Get PDFDiacritic marks are present in numerous languages, performing diverse roles as they influence both semantics and phonetics. While they might be disregarded in certain instances of writing, they play a pivotal role in distinguishing homographs, thereby presenting challenges for L2 learners, children learning to read, and individuals with disabilities. The present study delves into the impact of diacritics on children's reading of Urdu textbooks, employing an experimental research approach wherein two sample groups (experimental and control) underwent pre and post-tests. Furthermore, the Error Analysis Model proposed by Ellis (1994) was applied for error analysis. The findings demonstrate that reading texts with diacritics proves to be easier for children. The study aims to aid Urdu textbook writers in addressing reading difficulties faced by children due to the absence of diacritic marks
An Analytical Study of Student Learning Outcomes and their Alignment with the Activities of Writing Skill at Primary Level in Pakistan
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to analyse the ‘Single National Curriculum 2020’ and its implementation at primary level in Pakistan especially with reference to the student learning outcomes of English outlined in single national curriculum, its alignment with the activities in exercises of Grade-V textbook of English published by Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board, Lahore. For this purpose, qualitative approach has been adopted. Document analysis of student learning outcomes and activities in the exercises related to writing skill of English Grade-V was done. Alignment of student learning outcomes outlined in single national curriculum English Book-V with the writing activities in the exercises has been analysed. The results of the study show that majority of the student learning outcomes are aligned with the activities in exercises of writing skill with the exception of minor alignment and grammatical/typing problems. The study will contribute to have a complete understanding of the implementation of ‘Single National Curriculum 2020’ student learning outcomes outlined in the curriculum and its alignment with the textbook. Moreover, this study may be helpful for the teachers to have clarity regarding fulfillment of required aims to improve writing skill of the students at primary level in Pakistan
Vagueness in Communication: A Corpus Driven Study of Academic Discourse
Get PDFThe present research paper aims to analyze one of the most frequently used vague words, namely "thing," as employed by Pakistani students in their undergraduate assignments and essays. The data was collected from the Pakistan National Corpus of English (PNCE) and analyzed using the Antconc corpus software. The objective is to determine whether the word "thing" is utilized as a vague noun, for meta-discourse, or in any other capacity in order to understand how effectively Pakistani students communicate. This study yields several conclusions, with the primary one being that the word "thing" is consistently employed both in a discussive and non-discussive manner. It often serves as a placeholder for various objects, which are subsequently elucidated in preceding or subsequent statements by the students. The frequent use of this word also lends legitimacy to its usage by Pakistani students. However, it is important to note that the recurrent use of the word "thing" poses a risk of creating confusion in written work due to its repetitive nature
Genre Description of Pakistani Learners’ Argumentative Essays: A Case Study
Get PDFThis study has a primary objective of examining the generic structure employed by Pakistani learners in their argumentative essay writing. To achieve this goal, we utilize manual move analysis based on Hyland's move analysis model. We randomly selected twenty-five essays from the International Corpus of Learners’ English (ICLE), all addressing the topic of "why marriages fail." The quantitative analysis, focusing on generic structures, reveals that the majority of essays in this study comprise three schematic stages: thesis, argument, and conclusion. However, crucial phases such as the proposition phase in the thesis stage, the support phase in the argument stage, and the consolidation phase in the conclusion stage are notably absent in most of the essays. Conversely, certain elements, including gambit and elaboration in the thesis stage, hyper claim and claim in the argument stage, as well as marker and close in the conclusion stage, recur frequently. Furthermore, the qualitative analysis sheds light on the distinct challenges faced by Pakistani learners when employing the appropriate generic stages in argumentative essays. These challenges can be categorized as follows: overgeneralized statements used instead of a proposition and preview, unnecessary "recommendation" in elaboration, split claims, and the absence of consolidation. Through this study, we gain valuable insights into the structural aspects of argumentative essays produced by Pakistani learners, identifying both recurring patterns and specific challenges