Exploring the Features of Pakistani English Creative Writing: An In-depth Study of Language use, Reader Engagement, Voice, Quality, Originality and universality in the Works of Akhtar, Tahir, and Sidhwa

Abstract

This research explores the distinctive features of Pakistani creative writing and its important role in developing creativity, promoting critical thinking, crafting uniqueness, shaping and developing the structure of Pakistani English (PakE). PakE has evolved into a unique linguistic form by blending English with indigenous vocabulary, idioms, themes, and linguistic features. Through creative writing Pakistani writers are promoting their rich cultural heritage and enriching the language, making it a vibrant medium for literary and linguistic expressions. This study explores features of Pakistani creative writing through a qualitative analysis of select texts—poems by Rizwan Akhtar, short stories by M. Athar Tahir, and Bapsi Sidhwa's novel “The Bride”—this research applies a theoretical framework for assessing creativity in writing. The study uncovers the use of language, reader engagement, distinctiveness, voice, originality, and universality among other aspects. The findings reveal a dynamic interplay of language techniques, emotive engagement, and thematic depth across the selected works, presents the uniqueness and versatility of PakE in capturing the essence of Pakistani culture and heritage. Pakistani English creative writing reflects postcolonial identity, linguistic creativity, and cultural diversity. It affirms the contribution of creative writing in shaping the structure and development of Pakistani English.