Phonological Adaptation of English Loanwords by Urdu Speakers

Authors

  • Dr. Saqib Zaigham Assistant Professor, Department of English, Capital University of Science & Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Uzma Arshad Senior Lecturer, Department of English, Capital University of Science & Technology Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Sikandar Seemab Lecturer, Department of English, Capital University Of Science & Technology Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2022(6-IV)12

Keywords:

Epenthesis, Loan Words, Phonetics, Phonotactics, Phonological Alterations

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to discuss the common phonetically altered English loanwords used by Urdu speakers. A set of three hundred words was analyzed for phonological alterations. The areas of technology, automobile registration, entertainment, and politics contained the most high-frequency loanwords. Through this study, it is found that the native tongue significantly impacts how English loanwords are pronounced. Most frequently, they substitute / Ə/ for / ʊ/ in the final syllable (c+ Ə +c). Moreover, in English syllabic consonants, an insertion of the/ʊ/ vowel was detected after the appendix /s/, and // epenthesis were found at the beginning of the word with a group of consonants /s/. Furthermore, the vowels /ae/ and /o/ have been substituted for the diphthongs /a/ and /Ə ʊ / respectively, while /ɔ: / and /σ/ have been replaced by the vowel /a/. Four English consonants, /θ, ð, w, and ʒ/ and /, are not used in Urdu and are replaced by /tʰ, and dʰ, v, j/, respectively.

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Published

2022-10-30

Details

    Abstract Views: 533
    PDF Downloads: 583

How to Cite

Zaigham, S., Arshad, U., & Seemab, S. (2022). Phonological Adaptation of English Loanwords by Urdu Speakers. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review, 6(4), 115–128. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2022(6-IV)12

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 4 (2022): October to December

Section

Articles

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