Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review

Blurring Boundaries: The Use of Free Indirect Discourse in Contemporary Pakistani Novels

2025-06-24T17:52:53+05:00

The objective of this research is to investigate free indirect discourse (FID) in contemporary Pakistani novels written in English, analyzing how these blends the narrator with each character’s thoughts. The selected novels are Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid and Cracking India by Bapsi Sidhwa. The research is supported by using Dorrit Cohn’s (1978) elaboration of different narrative modes and Banfield’s (1982) interpretation of FID within a narratology and stylistics model. The analysis reveals how personal and political tensions are expressed with the help of FID. This narrative mode not only deepens psychological realism but also constructs an ambivalent space where personal and collective histories intersect. Through close readings and comparative analysis, the research reveals how FID contributes to the evolution of the Pakistani English novel as a site of aesthetic innovation and socio-political engagement.

Structural Patterns and Communicative Functions in Goodbye Mr. Chips: A Genre-Based Analysis

2025-07-02T23:18:27+05:00

This study analyzes the structural patterns and communicative functions in Goodbye Mr. Chips by James Hilton, a prescribed text in English (Book 3) in government colleges in Punjab, Pakistan, using White and Makki’s (2016) framework. Academic textbooks play an important role in student success, necessitating careful linguistic selection to engage readers. Employing a qualitative approach, the study examines how structural elements contribute to character development, plot progression, and thematic exploration. Findings reveal that specific narrative patterns enhance communicative effectiveness, offering pedagogical insights for literature instruction. The study recommends further genre-based analyses of academic texts and suggests integrating structural analysis into teaching methodologies to improve students' critical reading skills. Curriculum designers may also benefit from these findings when selecting literary texts for English courses.

Traumas leading to Dilemmas: A Feminine Psychological Analysis of Alex Michaelides’ The Silent Patient

2025-07-06T00:08:11+05:00

The study is a complex examination of marital conflicts in Alex Michaelides’ The Silent Patient (2019), based on Karen Horney’s theory of Feminine Psychology as the framework guide. The psychological traumas of Alicia Berenson, the novel’s female protagonist, are central in decoding the intricacies of her broken marriage. A qualitative method and descriptive approach has been adopted to analyze the traumatic occurrences that cause the breakdown of the marriage and the resulting consequences. Through close reading of the narrative with reference to Horney’s theory that counters classical Freudian views on women's psychology, the study enlightens on the deep impacts of gender stereotypes and objectification in society. The study investigates how Alicia Berenson adapts to the outcome of her failed marriage, gaining insight into her personal journey of rebuilding and resilience. Female psyche, marriage dynamics, and societal influences on women’s roles in relationships can be better understood through such researches

Under the Skin: Disability, Trauma, and Marginalized Psyche Divulged in The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie

2025-07-08T00:12:50+05:00

The present study aims to explore the intertwined theoretical perspectives of psychological trauma, disability, and social marginalization in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (2021). It argues that the play’s structured plot and complex characterization, particularly of Christopher Wren and Miss Case Well, reveal deeply embedded portrayals of marginalized pMarginalized Psychesyches shaped by personal and collective trauma. Engaging an argumentative approach grounded in Cathy Caruth’s trauma theory and modern disability studies, the research inspects repressed narratives of abuse, mental health, and institutional violence. The findings suggest that The Mousetrap transcends its genre as a murder mystery by metaphorically staging a site of psychological containment and confrontation. The study commends a critical reconsideration of the play as a nuanced interpretation on alteration, urging readers and scholars to move beyond traditional readings centered on entertainment or deception

Transnational Labour Vulnerability and Shared Precarity in the Neoliberal World Order: A Neo-Marxist Study of Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West

2025-07-10T00:10:45+05:00

This paper aims to critically examine the global condition of working class under neoliberal capitalism as represented in Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West, contending that economic precarity and systemic vulnerability are transnational phenomena impacting workers across both the Global South and Global North. Neoliberalism—an advanced stage of capitalism— dismantles the welfare infrastructures, thereby intensifying labour insecurity and marginalisation. Engaging with contemporary neo-Marxist and leftist theorists such as David Harvey, Werlhof, and Rajesh Makwana, the study interrogates how neoliberal regimes facilitate upward wealth redistribution while undermining collective protections. Through close textual analysis, the novel is shown to destabilise the dominant narrative that migration to the West guarantees economic opportunity, exposing instead the transnational reach of neoliberal disposability. By situating Exit West within the framework of Anglophone Pakistani resistance literature, the research foregrounds the novel’s critical intervention into global labour politics and its call for post-neoliberal solidarities transcending national and economic boundaries.

Psychological Wellbeing, Life Satisfaction and Hopelessness in Delayed Marriages

2025-07-10T23:38:02+05:00

Delayed marriage is increasingly common in Pakistan, particularly among urban and educated populations, yet its mental health consequences remain underexplored. In a society where marital status is socially significant, postponement of marriage can induce emotional distress, stigma, and reduce life satisfaction. This research explores how gender and voluntariness affect psychological responses to delayed marriage. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted with 210 participants (105 men and 105 women) using purposive sampling. Data was collected through standardized tools: Ryff’s 18-item Psychological Well-Being Scale, the 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the 7-item Beck Hopelessness Scale. Statistical analysis included correlation, regression, and independent t-tests using SPSS v23. Findings revealed that psychological well-being positively predicted life satisfaction and negatively predicted hopelessness. Females and those who voluntarily delayed marriage reported significantly higher psychological well-being and life satisfaction, and lower hopelessness. Mental health awareness programs, culturally sensitive counseling services, and public education campaigns are needed to support individuals facing societal pressures due to delayed marriage.

An Insight Into Palestine Politics: Edward Said Vs. Yasser Arafat

2025-07-12T21:44:37+05:00

The objective of the study is to critically review the ideological perspective by Edward Said concerning the Yasser Arafat leadership in the 1970s 1990s. Yasser Arafat has been known globally as a major player in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, whereas Edward Said despite his international stature most times criticized the policies of Yasser Arafat. Said is seen as the supporter of resistance movement and secular ideals of democracy whose partial contradictory stand offers a multidimensional ideological stance that has to be examined more properly. The qualitative approach utilized and a critical discourse analysis is carried out on the published text of Edward Said, language, tone, and strategic rhetoric of such an analysis on Arafat is considered. The results highlight that Said was inconsistent in his arguments, so that his critiques, although based on the intellectual truths, could have interfered with the Palestinian political unity when it was needed the most.

Exploring the Causes of Language Anxiety in English Speaking Classrooms: A Qualitative Case Study

2025-07-13T13:15:37+05:00

This research, with implications for language learning, aims to explore the Causes of language anxiety among English-speaking students at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur Mirs, Sindh, Pakistan. This study used a qualitative method and was based on a case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 15 students. According to the study's findings, the primary elements associated with the high degree of anxiety among English language learners in a particular environment include communicative apprehension, fear of negative evaluation, test anxiety, fear of forgetting vocabulary, and fear of the opposite gender. Furthermore, according to the study, students who report having higher levels of anxiety related to foreign language anxiety have a poor opinion of themselves and their capacity to communicate in English in front of others, such as their teachers and classmates.

Applied Linguistics: CLIL and Language Learning Outcome in ESL Learners

2025-07-14T15:55:33+05:00

The motive of this research is to dig deep down into CLIL and different techniques to incorporate in it. The term was first coined in 1994, yet there is still a lack of its implementation in Asian Educational Context .CLIL is a teaching prospective that unites teaching of Language and Content. A mixed method approach was followed and a sample size of 36 students was selected through stratified random sampling and data was analyzed through paired sample T-tests and classroom observation through thematic analysis. The result approved that CLIL is a contemporary way of teaching English Language. It is recommended that for effective incorporation of CLIL teacher’s training is a must and the use of resource materials which integrate Content and Language for better learning outcome. Different levels of competence (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening) must also be explored with regards to CLIL.

Rewriting Culture and Womanhood: A Postcolonial Feminist Study of Ice Candy Man and Burnt Shadows

2025-07-14T16:02:33+05:00

The objective of this study is to make a comparative postcolonial feminist reading of Ice-Candy-Man (1988) by Bapsi Sidhwa and Burnt Shadows (2009) by Kamila Shamsie with respect to the manner in which Pakistani culture is represented. The research is defined within themes of gender, trauma, and cultural displacement within the understanding of postcolonialism. Sidhwa and Shamsie present the socio-political breaks of Partition, migration, and war through what is central to the female experience. Their writings challenge and re-define conservative gender roles and identity in postcolonial context. Close reading approach was chosen to critically review the selected passages in the two novels. The textual meaning was informed with the postcolonial feminist theory. The results show that both writers portray women as strong individuals struggling with hybrid identities molded out of colonial history. Sidhwa gives pride of place to indigenous culture whereas Shamsie renders transnational trauma and perseverance.

Echoes of a Warming World: An Ecolinguistics Lens on Salience and Conviction in Global Climate Change Discourse at COP28

2025-07-15T12:25:28+05:00

The current research study delineates the concepts of Conviction and Salience with reference to CoP28, through the selected speeches. In the present era, one of the pressing global issues is climate change, which calls for world leaders to act immediately. So, developing the understanding of the power of language is inevitable in this regard. Therefore, this research study employs a qualitative methodology to unearth these concepts and achieve their objectives. The study examines how speakers emphasize important climate issues, arouse moral and emotional responsibility, and use persuasive language features like modal auxiliaries, personal pronouns, and hopeful framing to encourage international collaboration. The findings show that while emphasis on climate finance, the transition from fossil fuels, and sustainability promotes salience, emotional and moral appeals, inclusive language, and urgency signals strengthen conviction. Hence, to encourage climate action through emotionally and morally compelling messaging, policymakers should take advantage of language's persuasive power.

Effect of School Culture on Teachers’ Burnout and Job Performance at Elementary Level

2025-07-17T11:59:06+05:00

This study aimed to explore the effect of school culture on teacher’s burnout and their job performance at the elementary school level in Lahore district using a causal-comparative design. The environment of an organization has a significant role in shaping the psychological well-being and performance of teachers. School culture is a major factor in improving teacher’s attitude, reducing the burnout rate, and enhancing their professional outcomes. However, limited research exits within the context of Pakistan, particularly at elementary level. The current quantitative study employed a causal-comparative design. Data were collected from 156 teachers serving at elementary school level using closed-ended questionnaires. The tool measured school culture, teacher’s burnout, and their job performance. In the study, convenience sampling strategy was used, and data were analyzed using SPSS, applying regression analysis and correlation coefficient to test hypothesis. Results showed that school culture significantly reduced teacher burnout and positively affected management skills and interpersonal relations of teachers. While no significant impact was found on their teaching skills or the overall job performance. The pearson correlation showed a negative association with discipline and regularity. In order to reduce burnout and strengthen performance, school leaders should foster inclusive, collaborative cultures. Further research should explore qualitative dimensions.

Relationship among Higher Education Students’ Research Attitudes, Anxiety, and Self-Efficacy

2025-07-18T13:44:46+05:00

The study deals with the relationship that exists between research attitude and research anxiety and research self-efficacy among undergraduate students in Lahore studying in both the public and private universities. The researchers used a survey design approach. Simple random selection together with convenience sampling was used for selecting the 500 participants. Three scales were used for the study. Reliability was ensured through pilot testing whereas validity through subject experts. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was applied for analysis. Findings revealed that research attitude along with research anxiety and research self-efficacy had shown positive relations. Research self-efficacy showed moderate and significant positive relationship with research attitude. It is recommended that the workshops and seminars should be planned not only to share the value and significance of research but also to give practical training and students an opportunity to feel successful in using research in current activities.

A Corpus-Based Multidimensional Analysis of Pakistan’s Diplomatic Discourse on the Belt and Road Initiative

2025-07-21T11:41:24+05:00

The present study examines the linguistic characteristics of diplomatic discourse pertaining to BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) and the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) within Pakistani diplomacy. Seeking to inquire into linguistic patterns as well as communicative functions embedded in the selected diplomatic discourses, the study is underpinned by the analytical lens of Biber’s (1988) multidimensional framework. Its aim is to investigate these discourses using a self-compiled specialized corpus made up of press releases issued by the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan) from 2013 to 2023. The findings reveal that the selected texts tended to be formal, abstract, informationally dense, impersonal, non-narrative and strategically persuasive. Such characteristics reflect the communicative objectives of diplomatic discourses which lay emphasis on clear, strategically intentional and positively representative communication, carefully designed to promote bilateral cooperation with China and to foster optimism regarding BRI and CPEC. Further, these discourses reflect Pakistan’s steadfastness in completing and advancing CPEC on time. At a broader level, the study highlights the need to probe diplomatic discourses so as to map the underlying functions and strategic deployment of language in international relations.

The Role of Family in Career Development of Secondary Schools' Students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PakistanThe study aimed to investigate the role of family in career development of secondary schools’ students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Study’s objectiv

2025-07-26T00:31:46+05:00

The study aimed to investigate the role of family in career development of secondary schools’ students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Study’s objectives were to find out the role of family in career development of students at secondary level. Its population was 30439 students. Its sample 380 was selected with selected with simple random sampling. A questionnaire was developed, validated and pilot tested for collecting data. Data were gathered with self-administered questionnaires and analyzed with using mean scores, standard deviations and chi-square test. The study found significant effect of family on students’ career development at secondary level. Families selected their subjects for study, informed them about careers, supported financially and assist them through coaching academies. The study recommended availability of career guidance facilities in schools. Additionally, family and school may collaborate for effective career development of students.

Digital Feedback Modalities: Real-Time vs. Delayed Feedback in ESL Reading Platforms

2025-07-27T16:19:53+05:00

Although digital feedback tools are widely used in ESL, little has been investigated about the comparative effectiveness of real-time automated feedback to delayed teacher-mediated feedback on reading comprehension and motivation according to learners. However, the gamified platforms (e.g., Kahoot!, Duolingo) focus on prompt feedback, whereas conventional pedagogies stress delayed, instructor-mediated feedback. The existence of this gap requires empirical research to maximise feedback design to suit the different needs of learners. The proposed study fills one of the existing gaps in the field of ESL pedagogy, as it assesses the effects of the timing of feedback on cognitive and affective results. It is based on self-determination theory (SDT) and flow theory, which provide theoretical points of view on the relationship between feedback modality, learner autonomy, andement. In practice, it has the potential to assist the teacher and the makers of the platform in adjusting the feedback processes to their levels of proficiency. A mixed-method sequential design was used. Using a quantitative design, 300 ESL learners (who were stratified according to their proficiency level A2, B1, or B2) were randomly allocated to groups using a real-time (n=150) or delayed feedback (n=150). Understanding improvement was assessed using pre-/post-tests, and motivation was tracked using Likert-scale surveys. Qualitatively, thematic analysis of interviews (n=30) was conducted to inform opinions of learners, which was corroborated using Cohen's kappa (n=30: k=0.82) and sentiment analysis (Python: NLTK).

Eco-Syntax Analysis of Jameel Akhtar’s Short Story “ٹوٹی ہوئی سڑک”

2025-07-29T11:30:00+05:00

This study examined the eco-syntax structures of the short story “ٹوٹی ہوئی سڑک” written by Muhammad Jameel Akhtar. In the examination of this short study, the eco-syntax structures were analyzed by using Labov’s model presented in 1972 on Natural Narratives. The narrative structures and the techniques used in the language highlighted the inherent connection between the natural environment and the characters of the story. It focused on the six elements of Labov’s model Abstract, Orientation, Complication, Evaluation, Resolution, and Coda where their eco-syntax structures were analyzed. The application of Labov’s model to written narratives brings out the cognitive-linguistic functioning into the act that helps to understand the impact of one action on others. The results of this study revealed how literary text's understanding was enhanced through the narratives and the connection of humans with the natural world.

A Discourse Analysis of Humour & Incongruity in Chinua Achebe’s “A Man of the People”

2025-07-29T11:36:48+05:00

This paper analyzes how humor is constructed and functions thematically in “A Man of the People” by “Chinua Achebe”. Veatch states that two incongruous elements form humor, the first one is the violation of ‘subjective moral order’ and the other is socially normal. Considering Veatch’s principles about incongruity, several examples containing congruent and incongruent elements are foregrounded in this paper. Humor as well as its attachment and detachment with somebody or something, characters’ attitude, and the conditions in which humorous make-up is established along with others, is to be explained. The study finds that humor based on incongruity increases reader engagement while highlighting broader societal faults. Future research should look at comparative humorous methods in African postcolonial literature to better understand the role of humor in sociopolitical commentary.

Gender Differences in English Vowel Production by Pashto Speakers

2025-07-29T15:02:21+05:00

This study explores gender-based differences in the production of six English vowels—/iː/, /ɪ/, /æ/, /ɑː/, /ʌ/, and /uː/—by native Pashto speakers. It aims to analyze the acoustic characteristics of these vowels and assess whether typical vowel contrasts are distinctly produced. Recognizing the phonological differences between Pashto and English, and physiological gender-based speech variations, this research applies a quantitative approach to assess vowel production patterns. Ten undergraduate students from the University of Buner uttered a minimal pair word list three times. Their utterances were recorded and analyzed using Praat software, focusing on vowel duration and the first two formants (F1 and F2). Quantitative data analysis revealed that male speakers produced longer vowels with lower formants, while female speakers showed shorter durations and higher F1 and F2 values. Despite these differences, both groups maintained clear vowel distinctions. It is recommended to examine the pronunciation of English diphthongs by Pashto speakers in order to identify and analyze the specific challenges they encounter.

A Study of Problematic Areas of English Collocations at Higher Secondary Level in Pakistani ESL Learners

2025-07-30T23:20:27+05:00

Collocations are a significant challenge in Pakistani L2 acquisition due to grammar focus, and limited lexical knowledge. The objectives of this descriptive quantitative study were to find out the problematic areas of English lexical Collocations among the Pakistani students of Higher Secondary level. This study investigated the role of the mother tongue in lexical collocations errors and the role of Collocations in second language learning with the framework of Benson, Benson, and Illson (1997). The data was collected through a multiple-choice questionnaire of English collocations with 600 randomly sampled (300 male/300 female) students of 6 Lahore government colleges. Findings showed that Collocations are problematic (Adj+N, 62.4%, V+N, 58.2%, Adv+Adj, 43.64%, N+N, 40.9%) due to interference of mother language and limited knowledge. This study suggests the solution as early material introduction, comprehensive collocation knowledge with updated teaching methods. Other researchers can include teachers’ survey with different educational levels and approaches.

A Psychosemiotic Analysis of Moral Dualities in Ice-Candy Man and Train to Pakistan

2025-07-31T19:41:41+05:00

This paper addresses the issue of characters’ perception and their behavior that disrupted during the course of partition grounded on religious affiliations. This paper explores that how characters psychologically undergo significant transformations under the pressure of religious affiliations during Partition. Prior to partition, Hindu-Muslim was living harmoniously because of shared social fabric and culture but after partition their unity turned into animosity and created rift among them. This paper investigates how the moral binaries of good and evil are constructed, deconstructed, and psychologically internalized in Ice-Candy Man and Train to Pakistan through a psychosemiotic lens. This paper will qualitatively analyze the signs and symbols that are present in the two novels by applying Charles S. Peirce's theory of emotion. Drawing on Charles S. Peirce’s theory of signs and Lacan’s concept of the "uncanny," the paper examines how semiotic representations in the two novels reflect the evolving psychological states of the characters. Moreover, this paper concludes that perception of people changes due to changing social, biological, and psychological factors during the course of Partition. Religious extremism, fanaticism, and revenge are the factors behind this change in perception. This paper recommends that future research can be conducted where psychosomatic can be applied to various trauma or partition novels by incorporating psychology, history and literature to create a holistic approach towards research.

Colonial Legacies and the Third Space: A Comparative Study of Hybridity and Mimicry in Moni Mohsin’s Novels

2025-08-03T13:22:49+05:00

Mimicry and hybridity are key concepts of postcolonial theory given by Homi K Bhabha. These ideas explain how colonized people adopt the culture of their former masters, often creating new, mixed identities. The aim of the study is to discover these two significant concepts within the socio-cultural framework of the South Asian elite class as portrayed in Moni Mohsin’s novels The Diary of a Social Butterfly and Between You, Me and the Four Walls. The research used qualitative comparative analysis approach to analyze how Mohsin use satire and characterization as a literary tools to reflect the enduring colonial mindset in Pakistan’s upper class. Further, by employing a comparative literary analysis both novels have been analyzed. It also used theory of Homi K Bhabha to explore elite characters from the novels and highlighted how they navigate their identities through mimicry of Western norms as well as the resulting hybridity in their cultural or personal expressions. The results show that both novels reveal a deep entanglement of postcolonial identity struggles rooted in linguistic and cultural hybridity in the Pakistani society.

Critical Discourse Analysis of America’s Former president Barack Obama’s Speech on the Death of Osama Bin Laden

2025-08-03T13:29:40+05:00

This paper aims to make the speech more relevant to current global realities, considering how political rhetoric has evolved in a more digitally connected and critical world. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), applicable to both spoken and written texts, enables scholars to delve into the deeper meanings of social roles and the embedded power structures within a discourse. The current study revisits the speech of former U.S. President Barack Obama announcing the death of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, using Fairclough’s (1995) framework. While the speech was originally delivered in 2011, its rhetorical significance and underlying ideological assumptions continue to resonate in the post-pandemic geopolitical context. Newer studies on political discourse (Van Dijk, 2022; Hart, 2023) emphasize the long-lasting effects of such speeches on public memory, global power dynamics, and media representations. Findings endorse the role of discourse in reaffirming America’s hegemonic status through language strategies that reflect dominance and authority.

Grotesque Encounters: An Archetypal Analysis of Psychic Symbolism in Fairy Tales

2025-08-07T16:41:38+05:00

This study examines the fairy tales Bluebeard and Beauty and the Beast through the lens of Jungian analytical psychology, specifically focusing on archetypal motifs that symbolize the individuation process. It delimits its scope to psychic transformation, the grotesque, and feminine agency. While traditional analyses emphasize moral or sociocultural themes, this research explores how fairy tales dramatize the integration of unconscious elements into conscious awareness. The study addresses a scholarly gap by emphasizing archetypal structures and inner psychic development in these narratives. Employing a qualitative method and Jungian theoretical framework, the tales are analyzed for archetypal imagery such as the shadow, anima/animus, and the process of individuation. Central symbols and narrative moments are deconstructed to reveal deeper psychological meaning. In Bluebeard, the key and forbidden chamber represent repressed aspects of the psyche and the cost of denial of psychic elements. In Beauty and the Beast, the Beast embodies the shadow, with transformation enabled through empathy. Both tales depict inner confrontation and conscious awareness as essential to personal growth. In light of the current study, it is recommended that literary and psychological interpretations of fairy tales incorporate archetypal analysis to deepen understanding of the unconscious. Educators and therapists might also use these tales to support personal insight and emotional integration.

Power and Language in a Time of Conflict: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Indian and Pakistani Political and Military Rhetoric during Bilateral Tensions

2025-08-21T17:07:48+05:00

This study investigates the role of language as both a tool of soft power and an ideological framework in the context of escalating bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan. It Explores how official statements by political and military leaders construct national narratives, legitimize state actions, and mobilize public sentiments. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study draws upon data collected from official press briefings delivered by political and military representatives of both nations. The analysis is conducted through the application of Norman Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of discourse. The analysis reveals that language is carefully crafted through metaphors, euphemisms, and symbolic allusions to justify military and political actions and enhance moral authority. Pakistani discourse frequently invokes Quranic symbolism and moral dichotomies to frame its stance as sacred defense, while India rhetoric emphasizes professionalism and rationality to project credibility. At the discursive level, official pronouncements and media outlets mutually reinforce one another, amplifying nationalist sentiments through intertextual connections, synchronized hashtags, and visual story telling. At the level of social practice, findings highlight entrenched ideological frameworks that normalize militarization, construct binary oppositions of “us” versus “them” and suppress avenues for dialogue or peacebuilding. Key findings further indicate that political dialogue is increasingly infused with military terminology, religious and mythical imagery, and exclusionary communicative tactics that frame the opponent as chaotic and threatening. Notably, during the May 2025 crisis, neither side referenced peace negotiations or collective conflict resolution. Overall, the study demonstrates how language functions as a strategic instrument for shaping national identity, rationalizing state action, and sustaining cycles of antagonism, while also offering potential openings for diplomatic rearticulation.

Cross-Cultural Stylistic and Semantic Analysis of Proverbs: A Comparative Study of Balti and English

2025-08-22T16:32:10+05:00

The objective of this study is to investigate the similarities and differences between Balti and English proverbs and the impact of culture on them through the exploration of Parallelism as a Stylistic approach. For this purpose, Theory of Cultural Linguistics by Farzad Sharifian (2017) and Palmer (1996) are used to investigate the cultural significance of proverbs. Previous studies in the region have primarily focused on describing proverbs from a single perspective. As a result, there is a lack of exploration from alternative viewpoints. This current study aims to fill that gap. Qualitative and textual analysis methods are employed on 50 randomly collected proverbs from both English and Balti languages. The Balti proverbs are collected from Ghulam Hassan Hasni’s book “Tam Lo” (2004), while the English proverbs are collected from two online sources, namely The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs by Jennifer Speake and John Simpson, and A Handbook of Proverbs by Henry G. Bohn. The results show that proverbs of both languages use cultural conceptualizations and cultural objects to produce proverbs, and they are significantly affected by the native cultures. The English and Balti proverbs exhibit both similarities and differences in terms of stylistic, semantic, and thematic elements. Moreover, parallelism has been explored in proverbs of both languages as a Stylistic device which enhances the rhythm and beauty of proverbs. This research contributes to the field of Linguistics, Stylistics, Anthropology, and Paremiology. Future researchers can carry out research studies using other perspectives and other regional languages.

Identity Construction in the Linguistic Landscape of Charsadda

2025-08-23T18:52:00+05:00

This study intends to investigate the linguistic landscape of District Charsadda and the role LL plays in the construction of social identity. The display of languages in public spaces is referred to as Linguistic Landscape. Particular languages' prominence and presence in public settings are crucial indicators of their ethnolinguistic viability in a given community. To achieve this the data is gathered through first-hand fieldwork. A total of 40 pictures were collected and analyzed. The analysis of these pictorial representations of the LL of Charsadda highlights the four more vastly used languages in and around the area concerning the project at hand, namely: Pashto, Urdu, Arabic, and English written, each defining the local community through their language preferences. The data collected through these samples clarify the prospects of LL, building a community’s identity, choice of language varieties, the priority of language, and many social factors like ethnicity and cultural heritage of individuals living in this particular region. The results show that the Linguistic Landscape of Charsadda indicates multilingualism and that Urdu is widely used in the Linguistic Landscape due to social factors. The field of linguistic landscape is a very interesting tool to determine multiple perspectives such as social identity, individual preferences, and even linguistic imperialism. This particular study delves into the interesting region of Charsadda and finds that the language most spoken is actually the one missing by a majority from the vast numbers of advertisement posters, billboards, signposts, and chalked-up walls. This leaves a lot of room for further input by interested scholars.

A Comparative Study of the Thoughts of Spinoza and Iqbal on Freedom, Predestination, and Human Agency with Emphasis on the Light of Quranic Thought

2025-08-26T18:02:56+05:00

This comparative analysis looks at the philosophical approach of Baruch Spinoza and Muhammad Iqbal on freedom, destiny and human agency especially in quorum about the Quranic thought. The opinions of both the philosophers are explained in both rational and metaphorical terms to enable the reader be able to make a better decision on what opinion is right and wrong. Although the works of the two are now in different historical and cultural settings, there is a close relationship between the will of God and the autonomy of the human beings in the works of both thinkers. Criticizing this deterministic approach, Spinoza has affirmed that freedom can be explained as a sense of necessity through rational comprehension, whereas Iqbal - with the help of Islamic traditions - has promoted a dynamic definition of freedom, which has self-determination, moral action and growth of personal connectivity with God. This paper examines the tensions between metaphysical materialism of Spinoza and the God-based self-knowledge of Iqbal, with the regard to identifying main areas of agreement and what restrictions there are to them, especially in terms of individual freedom versus divine omniscience. By placing their perceptions in context within discourse of the Quran, the comparative study in question asserts that as opposed to Spinoza, who emphasizes freedom as something characterized by necessity, Iqbal argues that the freedom should be acquired through active involvement and accountability.

Exploring the Teaching Practice Experience of Pre-Service Teachers: Challenges and Learning Outcomes

2025-08-26T18:20:25+05:00

This study explores students’ satisfaction with teaching practice during their preservice teacher education programs. The primary objective of this research was to assess how various aspects of the practicum contribute to or hinder student satisfaction. Teaching practice, often considered the capstone component of teacher education, offers preservice teachers an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real classroom settings. A quantitative research design was employed, with data collected from 358 B.Ed. students enrolled in public and private teacher education institutions. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate key dimensions such as instructional planning, mentor support, classroom management, institutional resources, and overall practicum structure. Statistical analyses—including descriptive statistics and linear regression—were conducted using SPSS. Key findings indicate that: Students reported high satisfaction with lesson planning support, teaching opportunities, and guidance from supervisors. Challenges were noted in areas such as classroom management, access to teaching materials, and mentor consistency. Students who received regular feedback and support from mentors showed higher levels of professional confidence and teaching engagement. A While most participants expressed overall satisfaction with the teaching practice, they also suggested improvements—such as extending the practicum duration, enhancing mentor quality, and providing clearer guidelines and more resources. These suggestions highlight disconnect between institutional expectations and the realities faced by student teachers in the field.

Gothic Fiction in Twenty-First Century: A Psychoanalytic Study of Waters’ The Little Stranger

2025-08-28T19:28:27+05:00

The present study aims to explore the shift in modern Gothic fiction from supernatural elements to realism and the way it incorporates psychological issues to induce fear in the readers. Gothic literature has been widely studied, but little attention has been given to the psychological aspect which this article explores. The current research is purely qualitative and analyzes Sarah Waters’ The Little Stranger (2009) using the psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud to understand the psyche of various characters. The concept of repression and drives from Freudian psychoanalysis give useful insights about the way various characters react to trauma. The analysis revealed that various characters seem to be working on the death drive, harming others, and in some cases, succumbing to self-harm and suicide owing to their repressed fears and desires, giving rise to a psychologically disturbing narrative. Future researchers can analyze other modern Gothic fictions to explore psychological dimensions of the work, using various other theories.

The Impact of the Forgiveness based Intervention on Mental Health among Elderly living in Shelter Home: A Pre-Post Study

2025-08-28T19:31:29+05:00

The current study was aimed to examine the effectiveness of Forgiveness Therapy on elderly individuals to enhance their mental wellbeing. Elderly individuals living in shelter homes in Pakistan represent a vulnerable population often subjected to multifaceted psychological challenges, including grudge holding and rumination, which exacerbate psychological distress and interpersonal conflicts. On the contrary, forgiveness intervention has aided in relieving the pain, ruminative behaviour, and giving hope in interpersonal conflicts. Quasi-experimental research design was employed. The sample consisted of a total 7 male elderly individuals, aged between 65 to 70 years, from an old age home, Lahore, Pakistan. Grudge Aspect Measure, Ruminative Response Scale, Enright Forgiveness Inventory – 30 and Self-compassion Scale were used to measure pre and post-test assessment. A standardized forgiveness manual was used to implement forgiveness therapy. The findings revealed that there was a difference in mean scores of rumination (p<.05), grudge-holding (p<.05), self-compassion (p<.05) and forgiveness (p<.05). Forgiveness Therapy will help elderly individuals residing in old age homes not only in relieving the pain experienced by their loved ones but also in giving a meaning and hope to live their later years with peace and optimism. For better understanding of therapeutic concepts incorporate different activities within the session and increase the number of sessions beyond eight that facilitates

Discursive Constructions of Women’s Bodies: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Autonomy and Empowerment in Pakistan

2025-08-29T17:41:38+05:00

This paper conducts a critical discourse analysis of the discursive constructions of women’s autonomy and empowerment in Pakistan, limited to the selected articles from three online Urdu weblogs (2019-2021). The study is contextualized by the societal clash between feminist and traditionalist ideals, where discourses on both sides paradoxically contribute to women’s objectification. Using Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of Critical Discourse Analysis, the study deconstructs underlying ideologies within and between the texts. Results indicate the concept of autonomy is fluid and ideologically driven, creating a central paradox where competing narratives converge on objectifying women. The analysis highlights profound ambiguity in key slogans and a disconnect between perceived and actual autonomy. It is recommended that public discourse move beyond simplistic binaries toward greater conceptual clarity. Future advocacy should critically assess rhetorical strategies to avoid perpetuating objectification, necessitating the development of alternative discursive frameworks for discussing women’s agency.

The Relationship Between Organizational Justice and Employee Performance: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction in Private Banks of Balochistan

2025-09-02T16:29:19+05:00

This study investigates the relationships between organizational justice (OJ), job satisfaction (JS), and employee performance (EP). It also explores the mediating role of job satisfaction in the link between organizational justice and employee performance. Organizational justice, encompassing distributive, procedural, and interactional justice, is a critical factor in fostering employee engagement and productivity in social systems like banks. Rooted in Social Exchange Theory, this study addresses a research gap in developing regions, specifically the banking sector of Balochistan, where prior research is limited. A quantitative approach was used, with data collected from 200 employees across 14 private banks in Quetta, Balochistan, using structured questionnaires. The study tested its hypotheses using regression and mediation analysis with Hayes' PROCESS macro. Employee performance was assessed using supervisor ratings to reduce common method bias. The findings indicate that all three dimensions of organizational justice significantly improve employee performance, both directly and indirectly, through job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was found to partially mediate the relationship, with approximately 31% of the effect for distributive justice and about 41% for both procedural and interactional justice being transmitted through satisfaction. The study recommends that private banks in Balochistan focus on fairness in their decision-making, reward systems, and interpersonal treatment. Implementing transparent procedures and training supervisors in fair practices can enhance job satisfaction and, in turn, drive higher levels of employee performance.

English for Nutrition: An ESP-Oriented Need Analysis of Nutrition Students at Pakistani Universities

2025-09-03T17:14:08+05:00

The study aims to investigate the ESP-based needs of nutrition students at Pakistani Universities. Moreover, it examines the challenges that students encounter in using English. English plays a crucial role in the field of nutrition, as it enables access to scientific knowledge and facilitates participation in professional communication. The study is based on Hutchison and Waters' model of need analysis, helping us to analyze the needs and wants of the students. This is qualitative research, in which data is collected through interviews with ten students and five faculty members from the nutrition department at the University of Management and Technology. The findings reveal that students struggle with discipline-related reading, comprehension, research writing, and oral communication due to limited English proficiency. It highlights the need for ESP courses based on their academic and professional requirements. This study contributes to curriculum development for nutrition students by identifying the required language skills and professional communication abilities.

Effectiveness of Project-Based Learning in Developing Critical Thinking Skills among Secondary School Students

2025-09-05T18:21:33+05:00

This research examines how project-based learning (PBL) influences the development of critical thinking skills in secondary school students. Using a mixed-methods design, the study integrates quantitative pre-test and post-test evaluations with qualitative observations and interviews for a thorough assessment of PBL's effects. Over a 12-week period, 250 students from 50 public schools engaged in PBL activities focused on inquiry-based learning and collaborative problem-solving. The qualitative analysis identified themes of heightened student engagement, improved collaborative learning, and evident critical thinking behaviors. These findings indicate that PBL is an effective method for enhancing critical thinking in elementary education. Recommendations include incorporating PBL into the curriculum, offering professional development for educators, and ensuring all students have access to PBL opportunities.

The Use of Vocabulary Learning Strategies among Undergraduate Engineering Students: A Case Study

2025-09-05T19:22:43+05:00

The English language is considered the strongest language in the world, and people are attempting to get expertise in this prestigious language (Fatima & Pathan, 2016). Therefore, acquiring proficiency in it demands sound vocabulary knowledge. This study is an attempt to investigate the most and least frequently employed vocabulary learning strategies among undergraduate engineering students of MUET, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Campus, Khairpur. The sample size was one hundred students enrolled in the first and second years of their study. The data were gathered through a VLSQ adopted from Intaraprasert (2003). The findings revealed that guessing the meaning from clauses was the most frequently employed strategy for vocabulary learning. Whereas, taking an extra job at offices, etc., is the least frequently used VLS to expand their vocabulary knowledge. It is recommended that language instructors should be aware of their students' use of various VLS approaches to make them autonomous.

From Passion To Perdition: The Duality of Love in Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet

2025-09-07T16:52:33+05:00

This study investigates the duality of love in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, focusing on its transformative yet destructive nature, with specific attention to the interplay of passion and societal constraints. Shakespeare’s tragedy presents love as both a life-giving force and a path to ruin. The juxtaposition of youthful desire and familial enmity frames love not merely as personal but as socially conditioned. By highlighting its dual aspects, the play reveals the paradoxical essence of human emotions. A qualitative textual analysis is employed, drawing upon close reading and intertextual references to literary criticism and thematic interpretations. The findings indicate that love in the play functions simultaneously as an agent of liberation and destruction. Romeo and Juliet’s passion challenges familial hierarchies but ultimately succumbs to rigid social structures. The tragic culmination illustrates how love, when entangled with external conflicts, leads to both personal transcendence and irreversible loss.

Impact of Authoritarian Parenting Style on Neuroticism in Patients with Bipolar II Disorder: Mediating Influence of Maladaptive Coping Strategies

2025-09-08T12:29:13+05:00

The objective of the present research was to examine the mediating influence of maladaptive coping strategies in the relationship between authoritarian parenting style and neuroticism among patients with Bipolar II Disorder. A matched pair sample was employed to compare patients with healthy controls in this comparative study. Data were collected through purposive sampling technique from 120 adults (60 patients with Bipolar II Disorder and 60 healthy controls). Diagnosed patients were recruited from hospitals on referral, with a controlled duration of illness (6 months to 3 years), and were further examined by the researcher through clinical interviews and mental state examinations. Healthy controls were selected from the community and educational institutions, matched with patients on age (18-40 years), gender (equal dissemination), and education (matric to graduation) to ensure comparability. Three Urdu-translated self-report measures were used; the parental authority questionnaire (Kausar & Shafique, 2008), the Big Five Inventory (Raiha, 2012), and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Butt, Khawer, Malik, & Sanam, 2012). The results indicated that there was significant positive impact of authoritarian parenting in constructing the contrary personality of patients with bipolar II disorder. Furthermore, the mediation analysis confirmed the influence of maladaptive coping strategies in the relationship between authoritarian parenting and neuroticism. Findings also indicated significant group differences: patients with Bipolar II Disorder scored higher on authoritarian parenting, neuroticism, and maladaptive coping strategies compared to healthy controls. Moreover, patients relied more heavily on maladaptive coping strategies than healthy controls. The study holds important implications for clinicians, providing deeper insight into the role of parenting and coping mechanisms in shaping the personality and psychopathology of individuals with Bipolar II Disorder, thereby facilitating more effective management strategies.

Rhizomatic Muslim Futures in Bina Shah’s Before She Sleeps

2025-09-08T12:54:05+05:00

This paper explores Muslim futurist notions of identity and resistance in Shah’s dystopian novel Before She Sleeps through the application of Deleuzo-Guattarian philosophical perspectives: ‘arborescence’, ‘nomadology’, ‘de/reterritorialization’ and ‘desire-machines’ for examining the potentiality of a Pakistani text in imagining rhizomatic future/s. Pakistani Speculative Fiction is an emerging genre which envisages alternative Muslim futures in the backdrop of the South Asian cultural and artistic imperatives. The novel is bereft of an escapist stance in favor of a critical and strategic one to envision collective possibilities for progress and coexistence. The study is qualitative and interpretive as it discovers meanings, patterns and cultural contexts through close reading of the novel to prove the rhizomatic identitarian ethos of the Muslim subject in a futuristic scenario. The study is significant as it focalizes intersectional outlooks for the creation of a cohesive and inclusive future by countering Western essentialist approaches to future and textuality.

Fragmented Identity and Radicalization in Bhutto’s The Runaways

2025-09-10T19:53:18+05:00

The objective of this study is to explore identity crisis and its correlation with the process of radicalization in Fatima Bhutto’s The Runaways. The research closely examines how characters in the narrative navigate and grapple with elements of their identities that are fragmented or in a state of flux. The state of alienation, poverty, and social anxiety emerges as crucial in contributing to radicalization within a society. Bauman's (2000) theory of liquid modernity works as theoretical framework which is central in understanding radical tendencies of the characters and individuals in the novel. The analysis of the selected text concludes that the individuals suffer from identity crisis while encountering poverty, social frustration and isolation. The findings of the study indicate that individuals suffer due to material concerns, social exclusion and divisions, alienation, internal emptiness and lack of belonging that lead them to identity crisis, fragmentation and radical tendencies.