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Title Semanticity in Literary Genre: A Corpus-Based Diachronic study of Semantic Shifts in Pakistani English Novels

Author(s) Ghulam Fatima

Abstract This thesis investigates semantic shifts in Pakistani English novels published between 1960 and 2020. Drawing upon Bloomfield‘s (1933) typology of semantic change— including narrowing, widening, amelioration, pejoration, and elevation—the study examines how the meanings of selected lexical items have evolved over time. The analysis focuses on various influencing factors such as technological advancement, socio- political transformation, informalization of language, Westernization, and gendered discourse, all of which contribute to the dynamic and context-sensitive nature of semantic change in literary texts. A corpus of 60 Pakistani English novels authored by both male and female writers was compiled to ensure diachronic and gender-based representation across six decades. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative corpus analysis with qualitative interpretation of context-specific usage. The selection of words was not based on a predefined list but rather on the prominence and frequency of semantic change observed in the data. AntConc software was used to examine concordance lines and identify patterns of shifting meanings. A total of 25 lexical items were analyzed in depth to explore the categories and contexts of their semantic change. The findings indicate that semantic shifts in Pakistani English are heavily shaped by evolving cultural norms, digitalization, localized expressions, and shifting gender roles. Additionally, the study observes that male and female authors exhibit different tendencies in semantic usage, highlighting gender-based variation in language change. These semantic developments contribute to the ongoing indigenization and legitimization of Pakistani English as a distinct variety within the broader framework of World Englishes. Keywords: semantic shift, Pakistani English, Bloomfield‘s typology, corpus linguistics, AntConc, gender variation, diachronic change

Type Thesis/Dissertation MS

Faculty Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Department English (Faisalabad Campus)

Language English

Publication Date 2025-12-26

Subject English Linguistics

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Format PDF

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Rights Ghulam Fatima, 2025

Category MPhil Thesis

Description Partial fulfillment of M.Phil Thesis