Phonological Shifts in Pakistani English (PakE): A Comparative Study under Standard British English

Abstract

Pakistani English isnot a native variety of English language. Pakistani English has its roots laid deep in prepartition British India. These roots developed into a non-native variety of English spoken in Pakistan. This non-native variety is passing through different changes, shifts and modifications as compared to its origini.e. Standard British English, because every variety undergoes some changes with the passage of time. These changes and deviations from Standard British English can be seen at different levels of Pakistani English which are: Syntactic, Morphological, Lexical and Phonological. Recent decades have shown voluminous research under parasol of Pakistani English in multidimensional ways. This paper intends to investigate Phonological shifts of Pakistani English from Standard British
English. Qualitative approach will be used to highlight paradigm shifts in pronunciation of Pakistani English under different aspects with the help of sample of population selected through convenience sampling technique. For this purpose, eminent works of Ahmar Mehboob(2003) and Tariq Rehman(1990)will be discussed as marked description of  Pakistani English Phonology. This study will also delineate inclination of Pakistani English phonology towards American English.Findings show distinct deviations and shifts of Pakistani English phonology from Standard British English. This study will support works regarding Pakistani English as a legitimate variety of English Language and will open different pathways of research in this regard.