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Phantasm and haunting in Neo-Slave Narratives: A study of Natashia Deon’s Grace and Latanya McQueen’s When the Reckoning Comes From the late 20th to the early 21st century, neo-slave narratives have emerged as an African American literary genre that foregrounds Afrocentric heritage to narrate the stories of slavery, resistance, and emancipation. Two Afro-American neo-slave narratives, Natashia Deon’s Grace (2016) and LaTanya McQueen’s When the Reckoning Comes (2021), have been selected for this study. Guided by Jacques Derrida’s concept of hauntology and Stella Setka’s theorization of the phantasmic ethnic narratives, this research attempts to study the role and significance of vengeful ghosts and ancestral spirits of enslaved blacks represented in the selected narratives who, in the post-slavery period in American history, haunt their offenders and protect their descendants from racial oppression. This research seeks to decode the ancestral spirits as‘ndiichie’—revered spirits in Igbo cosmology—that can qualify as Igbo-specific phantasmic figures. Using Catherine Belsey’s textual analysis method, it is examined how these ancestral spirits change their subject position as well as that of post-slavery black characters. The interrelationship of enslaved and post-slavery black characters is studied through communal memory embodied in these ancestral spirits. In addition, this research examines how reconnecting with the Igbo heritage enables the selected narratives to represent Igbo-specific phantasm as part of a legitimate worldview, thereby challenging Enlightenment skepticism towards the supernatural. This research also makes a theoretical intervention by adding the aspect of retributive justice to Stella Setka’s theory that contributes to the ongoing discussions in Afro-American neo-slave narratives.
"Analyzing Political Binaries in Pakistani English E-Newspapers: A Corpus-Based Critical Discourse Analysis of Adjectives Used in the Editorials" Newspapers play a vital role in the projection of narratives of political parties. Such political discourses tilting towards certain ideologies are somewhat evident in the editorials of the newspapers. For such ideological projection, the editors of newspapers use language of their own choice in order to influence the readers on a particular topic. For this purpose, they use different categories of language as tool such as adjectives as linguistic triggers in their editorials. This study seeks to investigate the use of adjectives to describe the political parties (government and opposition) before and after periods of political transition (10th April,2022) through “Vote of No Confidence” in Pakistan. The study examines the role of adjectives in conveying positive or negative connotations, stereotypical attributions, and evaluative traits in relation to political parties. Additionally, it investigates the construction of in-groups and out-groups through membership categorization devices (Referential) and other linguistic strategies (Predication). The study employs a corpus-based approach to critical discourse analysis, focusing on two central discursive strategies: predication and referential in Wodak’s Discourse Historical Approach (2015). The research identifies three prominent Pakistani English e-newspapers for data collection: Dawn, The News, and The Express Tribune. These newspapers are analyzed to uncover the portrayal of political binaries (PDM vs PTI) and the adjectives employed to characterize political entities within their editorials. The findings of this research reveal distinct patterns in the use of adjectives in the selected editorials, shedding light on how different newspapers frame and represent political binaries. The study contributes to our understanding of how language and discourse shape political narratives in the Pakistani media.
DIASPORA: A CONSTRUCT OF PALIMPSESTS IDENTITIES IN WHITE TEETH BY ZADIE SMITH AND THE NAMESAKE BY JHUMPA LAHIRI ABSTRACT Title: Diaspora: A Construct of Palimpsests Identities in White Teeth by Zadie Smith and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri This research is concerned with the analysis of the ways in which the diasporic characters in the texts White Teeth by Zadie Smith and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri establish their new palimpsest identity. The study utilizes Thomas De Quincey’s theory on palimpsest as its major concern along with the concept of hybridity, mimicry and third space as proposed by Homi k Bhabha in Location of Culture to trace the relevant evidence from the selected texts. This study describes palimpsest in relation to hybridity, mimicry and third space and how they make the identities of the characters palimpsest. The characters in these texts inhabit the two spaces of past and present altogether through their memories and by adapting to the foreign cultures which relate them to palimpsest. It is not possible for people to meet, connect and mingle in diverse spaces without sharing their cultural values. Inclusion sets a way forward to acceptance which produces hybrid spaces whereby people are informed about each other's past and values. In the selected literary texts, the first-generation diaspora who mostly seem to resist the foreign culture by restricting their off springs not only allow palimpsest metaphor to reveal their silenced past but also the ways in which their interaction with other cultures places them with palimpsest. The second-generation diaspora, however, is more inclined towards adaptations yet their intermittent visits to their native culture and their roots lying elsewhere is what keeps them lurking in between, making them a continuous subject of palimpsest. This research study will provide literary scholars with a new stance towards the application of palimpsest metaphor in literary domains. It will also help them to trace this concept in other literary genres.
ANALYZING SPEECH ACTS IN ENGLISH CLASSROOMS AT INTERMEDIATE LEVEL IN PAKISTAN: A PRAGMATIC STUDY ABSTRACT Title: Analyzing Speech Acts in English Classrooms at Intermediate level in Pakistan: A Pragmatic Study The current study investigates the complex dynamics of speech acts within intermediate-level English classrooms in Pakistan, aiming to understand the underlying factors shaping classroom communication. Through comprehensive observation, the research interprets various engagement strategies, diverse speech acts, and the influences guiding educators’ choices. The study highlights the reciprocal nature of classroom interactions, emphasizing the interplay between speech acts, classroom dynamics, and cultural considerations. The research paradigm used for the present study is qualitative while the research designs for the current study are observation and survey research. A purposive sampling technique was used for this study, with data collected through observations of teacher-student interactions in the classroom. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen faculty members to triangulate findings from classroom observations. The collected data were then analyzed descriptively using Searle’s speech act theory. The analysis of the data reveals that educators employ a range of speech acts, from positive affirmations to clear directives, contributing to a supportive learning environment. Moreover, intermediate-level students not only decode various speech acts but also communicate by incorporating a variety of speech acts into their communication with their peers and teachers. However, certain speech acts are used more frequently than others by both teachers and students. The results indicate that both teachers and students demonstrate satisfactory competence in their classroom interactions. Nonetheless, their performance in employing speech acts could be enhanced through training and additional reinforcement. The data collected through two different research tools validate the study’s findings. This study may be replicated in other academic and professional contexts to further validate or challenge its findings. Additionally, future research could assess communicative competence in second- language speakers by evaluating their performance in using speech acts.
"Exploring Communicative Competence: A Multimodal Analysis of Mock Interviews of CSS Candidates in Pakistan" This study aimed at identifying the most frequent types of competence manifested by CSS candidates during their mock interviews. Also, it studied the intersemiotic relationship between gestures and language during the interview. This research adopted mainly qualitative research method, however, linguistic choices and types of gesture were quantified in the form of percentages to substantiate the interpretation of the findings. The data included 10 mock interviews using purposive sampling technique. The study employed SF-MDA as a methodological framework of analysis and Celce-Murcia’s model (2007) as a theoretical framework. The four types of competence out of six such as, linguistic, discourse, interactional and strategic competence, were used from the model as checklists functioning as a research tool. Moreover, the concepts of SF-MDA extended by Lim (2011) for gesture analysis were used to analyze gestures. The findings of the study suggested that interviewee 1 and 7 manifested a well balanced approach in all types of competence, however, other interviewees had high percentage in strategic competence indicating that they had less proficiency in L2. Secondly, interviewees 1 and 7 used the highest percentage of indexical actions helping them in maintaining ‘positive face’ during the interview. Thirdly, the intersemiotic relationship between language and gestures gave the emergent meanings of leadership qualities like transcendence, courage, humility, drive and judgment among interviewees 1, 7 and 9. The key findings of the study pointed towards the idea that communicative competence is a multimodal phenomenon and multimodal competence is of inherent importance in an interaction like a job interview. Thus, the study draws attention towards the emerging field of multimodal literacy for analyzing the texts in the present day research.
EMOTIONAL DIASPORA IN SICK LITERATURE: A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF RACHAEL LIPPINCOTT’S FIVE FEET APART AND JOJO MOYES’ ME BEFORE YOU Title: Emotional Diaspora in Sick Literature: A Textual Analysis of Rachael Lippincotts’ Five Feet Apart and Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You This study examines the impact of emotional diaspora on individuals experiencing chronic illness and disability as they transition from a state of wellness to one of sickness. Focusing on the emotional diaspora experienced by these individuals, akin to the challenges faced in the geographical diaspora, the study employs the works of literature, specifically Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott and Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, as case studies. Drawing inspiration from William Safran's diaspora concept, the thesis advocates for a reevaluation of conventional diaspora studies, emphasizing the emotional displacement of those with chronic illness. This research, however, sheds light on a distinct dimension of diaspora, elucidating the emotional displacement experienced by individuals facing chronic illness, transforming their familiar surroundings into an unfamiliar realm. In contrast to geographical diaspora, emotional diaspora characterizes the sickness experience. Sick literature, often portraying young characters facing physical or mental disabilities, endeavors to depict the challenges and societal misfits associated with chronic illnesses. Additionally, the study aims to establish sick literature as a valuable and underrepresented academic field. Characters grappling with chronic diseases undergo emotional diaspora due to substantial life changes and the abrupt transformation of their self-perception. Expanding the study of diaspora, emotional diaspora is viewed as a state of displacement and alienation that individuals experience when they feel emotionally disconnected from their environment, culture or community. This research uses affect theory to explore how characters' emotional responses to illness in "sick literature" shape narrative structure and meaning, highlighting the interplay between affect and identity in marginalized experiences.
INVESTIGATING ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIVE NEEDS OF THE MEMBERS OF PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN: A CASE OF ESP Topic: Investigating English Language Communicative Needs of the Members of Provincial Assembly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: A Case of ESP The present research attempts to investigate the English language communicative needs of the members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, Pakistan. The research follows the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Needs Analysis approach. English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is the use of English language teaching methods and materials adapted to fulfil specific English language needs of professionals, usually related to their academic or work goals. This study followed the model proposed by Hutchinson and Waters (1987). The study uses the mixed method research design and collects data through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly has 145 assembly members out of which 30 members were selected randomly as they were willing to be part of the research. The participants’ responses of the interviews and questionnaires are analysed and discussed. The study finds that the members of the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, require English communication skills in order to perform better in their political career. The present study findings show that many assembly members struggle to communicate effectively in English, and the members show willingness to improve their English language skills. A syllabus needs to be designed and employed to meet the English language communicative needs of the politicians of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly of Pakistan. A syllabus has also been designed and presented by the researcher according to the needs of the members of the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
INVESTIGATING ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIVE NEEDS OF THE MEMBERS OF PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN: A CASE OF ESP Topic: Investigating English Language Communicative Needs of the Members of Provincial Assembly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: A Case of ESP The present research attempts to investigate the English language communicative needs of the members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, Pakistan. The research follows the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Needs Analysis approach. English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is the use of English language teaching methods and materials adapted to fulfil specific English language needs of professionals, usually related to their academic or work goals. This study followed the model proposed by Hutchinson and Waters (1987). The study uses the mixed method research design and collects data through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly has 145 assembly members out of which 30 members were selected randomly as they were willing to be part of the research. The participants’ responses of the interviews and questionnaires are analysed and discussed. The study finds that the members of the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, require English communication skills in order to perform better in their political career. The present study findings show that many assembly members struggle to communicate effectively in English, and the members show willingness to improve their English language skills. A syllabus needs to be designed and employed to meet the English language communicative needs of the politicians of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly of Pakistan. A syllabus has also been designed and presented by the researcher according to the needs of the members of the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.