Pakistani English (also known as Paklish or Pinglish) is a group of English-language varieties spoken in Pakistan and among the Pakistani diaspora.McArthur, Tom, 1998. "Pakistani English." in Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. Retrieved 6 June 2009. English is the primary language used by the government of Pakistan, alongside Urdu, on the national level. While being spoken natively by only a small percentage of the population, it is the primary language used in education, commerce, administration, and the legal and judicial systems.
It was first recognised as a distinct variety of South Asian English and designated in the 1970s and 1980s. Pakistani English, similar and related to Indian English, is slightly different from British English, from which it is derived, in respect to vocabulary, accent, and other features.
History Although British rule in the Indian subcontinent 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 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. The colonial policies which made English a marker of elite status and the language of power—being used in such domains of power as the civil service, the officer corps of the armed forces, the higher judiciary, universities, prestigious newspapers, radio and entertainment—were due to British policies and the continuation of these policies by Pakistani governments.
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 was first recorded in 1999, being a blend of the words Pakistani and English, with the 'e' changed to 'i' to better represent pronunciation. Another colloquial portmanteau word is Paklish (recorded from 1997).Lambert, James. 2018. A multitude of ‘lishes’: The nomenclature of hybridity. English World-wide, 39(1): 29. DOI: 10.1075/eww.38.3.04lam
Pakistani English (PE) shares many similarities with Indian English, but since the partition of India, 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 Punjabi, Pashto, Saraiki, 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 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. 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.
Use in Pakistan Urdu and English are Pakistan's official languages. Many street signs, shop signs, business contracts and other activities use English. All documents used by government and court also include English,A judgment of the Supreme Court. despite a 2015 order by Pakistan's Supreme Court to replace English at an official level with Urdu.
English is most taught to Pakistani students in private schools, and in many cases the medium of instruction is also in English. Although there are also many public schools that teach in the local languages and Urdu, 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.UElowermall.edu.pk
Pakistan boasts a large English language press and media. All of Pakistan's major dailies are published in or have an edition in English. State-run PTV World is a major English Language News Channel in the country, while previously Dawn News and Tribune 24/7 were other English language news channels with one later switching its language to Urdu and the other was shut down. Indus News is now another major English language news channel in Pakistan. Code-switching (the concurrent use of more than one language, or language variety, in conversation) is common in urban areas of Pakistan and almost all conversations in whatever language have a present English component. The language of pleading in all courts of Pakistan is also English.
Literature
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.
Some common features of PE are:
Consonants in almost all regions of Pakistan is realised as and is realised as . Most PE speakers can not distinguish well between and , pronouncing them both as . The quality of sound in PE is usually . Most, if not all, PE speakers do not aspirate their voiceless plosives . PE does not have (velarised L) PE speakers use before vowels in some words where standard Englishes (GenAmE and SSBE) would use , for example, "singer" is pronounced PE speakers use after consonants in words where standard Englishes would use , so "English" is pronounced rather than . The dental fricatives and are realised as dental stops i.e. and respectively.
Vowels and diphthongs The vowel quality of is something closer to in PE is realised as The BATH vowel is realised as or is realised as The vowel in THOUGHT group (J. C. Wells Lexical sets) is realised by virtually all PE speakers as
Vocabulary and colloquialisms
Pakistani English contains many unique terms, as well as terms which are utilised somewhat differently in Pakistan. For instance, "" is used for potato chips as well as for French fries (usage of these terms is common in the UK) and "" is used for both lime and lemon. "" – 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). 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 Pakistani languages. "Alphabet" - can be used to refer to a single letter and "alphabets" can refer to a group of two or more letters. The use of "much" to emphasise the extent/magnitude of something. e.g. very much true instead of that's very true and too much difficult instead of very difficult. Light – The term "light" has an additional meaning, referring to electricity. When the power goes out or comes back after an outage, one might say "Light has gone" or "Light's back." Numbers – Often used in place of "marks" in an exam. His/her meter has turned or -is high 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 as some other thing. 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. Become a direct Sergeant – 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 Sergeant. Usually "Sergeant" is replaced by "Havildar" the equivalent rank in the Pakistan Army. Also used for upwardly mobile, ambitious or nouveau riche. 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. (Usage is also common in the UK) 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 year's 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. 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. Also used in a similar manner; bouncer. All three terms are derived from actual cricket deliveries, cricket being a popular sport in the country. Hit middle stump – did an 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. Also derived from cricket. Master Sahib, contracted to Ma'Sahib – used to refer to a master craftsman. The term is now 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 Pakistani languages.