A Study of Shortened Forms in Pakistani English Print Media

Abstract

The use of English as a second language and its development into different varieties throughout the world has opened new areas of exploration for the linguists and researchers. Different varieties of English have been analyzed with reference to different linguistic features. One of these less investigated features is the use of shortened forms developed from local socio-cultural, and political context. The present work is an investigation of Pakistani English i.e. a South Asian variety of English with reference to the use of such linguistic items in print media. To collect sample for the discussion, news stories of a Pakistani English newspaper, the Daily Dawn were utilized. Schneider’s (2007) model of postcolonial Englishes has been integrated into the study as PakE falls in this category. The study has found that PakE of print media makes an innovative use of shortened forms deeply rooted in local context. The study concludes with the idea that PakE has evolved itself into a distinct variety and the role of media is crucial in recognition of Pakistani English as a distinct variety of South Asian English.