Anglicization of Urdu words by Pakistani Writers of Literature in English

Abstract

Language hybridization is a process that results in language shift and change in the actual form of the language used in a non-native setting. It has become a socio-cultural phenomenon (Rasul, 2006) in Pakistan as English has been used in close association with Urdu since 1947.  The close association of English and urdu language usage has resulted in a divergent variety of English language in Pakistan. This divergent variety of English is characterized by the excessive use of Urdu terminology in terms of Urdu to English code-switching / mixing, literal translation from Urdu to English, Urdu laon words and Urdu-English hybrid terms. The influence of Urdu language on English has been so intense that even some Urdu words have been embedded in English language reflecting the Anglicization of such lexicology. In this scenario, description of the linguistic characteristics of English language used in Pakistan is the need of the current socio-lingual phenomenon i.e. World Englishes. Thus present paper investigates English – Urdu hybridization at the single word level and highlights its role in the Anglicization of such Urdu words.