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"Afghan, American and Pakistani Newspaper Articles on Afghan Peace Process: A Comparative Analysis of Textual Meta Functions" Language serves a variety of functions termed as Meta Functions and the speaker’s knowledge of his language surpasses the structural boundaries. The present research analyses comparatively the newspaper articles from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the USA, about the Afghan Peace Process, from the lens of Textual Meta Function by Halliday and Hasan and its modifications by Halliday and Matthiessen. The researcher attempts to highlight and analyze the significant shift in the presentation of a particular stance through language. The linguistic academia is not much inclined towards such comparative analysis, that states the projection of stance through language, using the Textual Meta Function as framework. The selection and progression of the theme and rheme of the clause is on the part of the authors or the speakers according to Halliday and Matthiessen and they use the language resource with the aid of the devices of lexical and grammatical cohesion to perform the communicative function and present the text as a unified whole. The researcher has found that the authors of these newspaper articles vary as far as the selection and progression patterns of the theme and rheme of the clauses are concerned. The patterns of information through theme and rheme communicate a particular stance that is, the Afghan newspapers foreground the miseries and sufferings of Afghans in the wake of decades of war. Similarly, the articles from the USA highlight the importance of peace deal which will facilitate the withdrawal of the US and allies from Afghanistan in the context of US general election. The articles from Pakistan project the need of implementation of the clauses of the deal and the urgency of intra Afghan negotiations, moreover the Pakistani authors also highlight the prospects for Pakistan in the context of the deal. In addition to theme and rheme, the devices of lexical and grammatical cohesion also aid in the projection of that particular stance. The communicative function of the language has been performed by the authors from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the USA in a unique and diversified manner that projects their particular stance.
"Representation of Climate in Graphic Journalism: An Intersemiotic Complementarity Approach" Title: Representation of Climate in Graphic Journalism: An Intersemiotic Complementarity Approach The research attempts to explore the medium of graphic journalism to report incidents and communicate information. The graphic editorials on subject matter of climate are selected for the study. For this research, the theoretical model by T.D. Royce (1998) in his book "New Directions in the Analysis of Multimodal Discourse," published in 2007 is selected for the analysis to investigate the intersemiotic behavior of multiple modes. The data contains (35 graphic editorials) on subject matter of climate are selected from popular and widely visited graphic journalism websites. The study sought to examine the prevalence of dominant modes in the field of graphic journalism. Furthermore, to understand the cooperative conduct of the two modes that work together to disperse a single storyline. The interdependent behavior is emphasized by applying metafunction analysis on graphics. The study examines the various approaches employed by graphic journalists to depict and document climate-related events such as climate summits and their subsequent impacts such as wildfires and rising temperatures in Europe and many other. The study finds that the editorials utilize visual and verbal modalities extensively. The analysis examines the verbal and visual modalities of communication, focusing on their interdependent behavior. It considers the ideational, interpersonal, and compositional aspects in a comprehensive manner. Both approaches are equally important in establishing the semantic foundation for reporting specific information about climate. Therefore, the study aimsto encourage the use of graphic journalism and encourage journalists to embrace this creative medium, which has the capacity to both engage the reader/viewer emotionally and effectively convey information.
"Representation of Ecological Issues in American, Chinese and Pakistani English Editorial Cartoons: A Multimodal Analysis" Title: Representation of Ecological Issues in American, Chinese and Pakistani English Editorial Cartoons: A Multimodal Analysis This study aims at scrutinizing the representation of ecological issues through the visual and linguistic elements of editorial cartoons in three countries’ English newspapers; USA Today (America), China Daily (China), and Dawn (Pakistan). It comparatively analyzes the editorial treatment of climate change in developed and underdeveloped countries and how it influences the readers’ perspective. Ten editorial cartoons from each newspaper have been used as a sample for the data analysis of the study. A multimodal analysis is done by using Kress and Leeuwen’s (2006) visual grammar model and four aspects of Stibbe’s (2015) ecolinguistic theory as a theoretical framework to study ecological issues and blame game in editorial cartoons. These theories focus on the colors, symbols, metaphors, and triggering words to frame a concept in the minds of the viewers. Purposive sampling technique has been used to collect theme based editorial cartoons for a qualitative research. The researcher has focused on the variant patterns of representation of ecological issues, how these three countries deflect blame game on each other and how they project similarities and differences in the selected sample. Through the analysis of these linguistic and visual elements, the researcher has identified a pervasive use of metaphors in constructing the framing of climate change. A realistic approach in Pakistani editorial cartoons has been identified in raising awareness about vulnerability of developing countries to climate change and its effect on economy. American consumerism and Chinese blame-shifting strategy has foregrounded the theme of blame-game and helped the researcher to get the perspective of the producers. The frequency of appearance of these issues varies across the editorial cartoons. The study suggests a new perspective to look at the editorial cartoons and proposes further studies on how the comparative multimodal analysis can influence the critical thinking of the readers regarding crucial issues.
ABJECTION, LIMINALITY, AND WARCHITECTURE: A STUDY OF MICHAEL ONDAATJE’S THE ENGLISH PATIENT (1992) AND CHRIS BOHJALIAN’S THE LIGHT IN THE RUINS (2013 Title: Abjection, Liminality, and Architecture: A Study of Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient (1992) and Chris Bohjalian’s The Light in the Ruins (2013) The present research explores the depiction of war-ruined architecture in the selected literary texts, i.e., The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (1992) and The Light in the Ruins (2013) by Chris Bohjalian. This research is interdisciplinary in nature and investigates the influence of wartime violence on the identity and role of architecture and its depiction in literature. By identity, this study refers to an array of dimensions, including historical, social, functional, symbolic, and cultural, since wartime destruction leaves its influence on all these interconnected layers of architecture. Based on the textual evidence from the selected literary texts, this research suggests that wartime violence transcends the physicality of architecture and influences its symbolic meaning. This results in transforming the identity of architecture from an intact and safe space of simple dwelling into a partially ruined liminal space that is unsafe to inhabit yet promotes reconciliation among the victims and perpetrators of war. Architecture is mainly studied as a victim or a site of perpetration during wars. Once destroyed, the ruins are interpreted as carriers of the memories of the past or a promise for a better future. However, this study highlights the role of literature in opening up more possibilities for interpreting war-struck architecture by creating and presenting a rather positive picture of architecture in the postwar period. Moreover, the study also builds a connection between the discipline of architecture and literature. The theoretical framework employed in the research comprises Andrew Herscher’s concept of ‘Warchitecture’ and Julia Kristeva’s conceptualizations of ‘liminality’ and ‘abjection’ as the main theoretical lenses, while Nir Eisikovits’ concept of ‘reconciliation after conflicts’ as a secondary lens to analyze the selected texts. This qualitative research uses Catherine Belsey’s textual analysis method to study and analyze the selected texts and endeavors to explore the relationship between war and architecture, as well as its portrayal in literature. This study paves the way for researchers to examine the influence of violence on architecture and its inhabitants and how the multiple genres of literature portray this influence.
SPACES OF DESCENT: A STUDY OF SUBVERSIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND ATTACHMENTS IN STIGMATIZED HETEROTOPIA Title: Spaces of Descent: A Study of Subversive Relationships and Attachments in Stigmatized Heterotopia This research study delves into the interconnected themes of attachment, heterotopia, and stigmatization in Louise Brown's memoir Dancing Girls of Lahore, Elif Shafak's novel 10 Minutes and 38 Seconds in This Strange World, and the 2022 Indian film Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. By utilizing Bowlby’s Attachment Theory, Foucault’s concept of Heterotopia, and Goffman’s Stigmatization, this analysis investigates the profound implications of caregiving experiences on the formation of attachment styles and subsequent interpersonal relationships. It examines how marginalized individuals create "water bonds" stronger than "blood bonds" as mechanisms of resilience, highlighting the intersectionality of oppression and adaptive attachment in navigating stigmatization. Foucault’s heterotopia allows us to explore sanctuaries of empowerment where identity is reclaimed through resistance and solidarity. Goffman's stigmatization reveals how societal critique and layers of marginalization shape self-perception and resilience through space and bonding. This study aims to unravel the intricate connections between adult attachment theory, heterotopia, and stigmatization, illuminating their intersections and mutual influences. By analyzing relationships and attachments in red-light districts, this research provides literature students with a new theoretical and conceptual lens. Additionally, examining the heterotopias of stigma can apprise interventions to reduce the negative impacts of stigma within communities. The study also explores how individuals in harsh conditions find the will to survive through codependence, potentially paving the way for a better future for silenced and marginalized groups within societal structures.
SYNTACTIC BEHAVIOR OF PRONOUNS IN ENGLISH, URDU, AND SARAIKI: A CROSSLINGUISTIC STUDY IN UNIVERSAL GRAMMAR Title: Syntactic Behavior of Pronouns in English, Urdu, and Saraiki: A Crosslinguistic Study in Universal Grammar Pronouns are essential constituents of the structure of language and represent significant cross-linguistic universal principles and language-specific parameters. This study attempts to explore the syntactic behavior of pronouns in English, Urdu, and Saraiki using the 14 principles and parameters of pronouns in Universal Grammar (UG) in three diverse languages: Saraiki, Urdu, and English (Carnie, 2021; Tallerman, 2019; Torres Cacoullos & Travis, 2019; Khalique et al., 2022). The study aims to compare and contrast the pronoun systems in the three selected languages to identify the controlling principles within Universal Grammar, with the primary objective of analyzing the principles and parameters —such as person, gender, number, case, clusivity, animacy, honorifics, reflexivity, and reciprocity—that impact pronoun structures in these three languages. Using qualitative content analysis, themes and patterns are compared using the data collected from grammar books and language textbooks written in Saraiki, Urdu, and English. Findings of the study reveal substantial differences in the pronoun systems of Saraiki, Urdu, and English, especially concerning person, gender, and honorifics. English has a more straightforward structure with fewer distinctions than Urdu and Saraiki, which are both more complex and diverse in these domains. The findings elucidate the complex intersectionality across language-specific parameters and universal principles and underscore the significance of exploring pronoun systems in other languages to advance the understanding of linguistic diversity and UG. This study also contributes to the growing body of research on how universal principles shape syntactic structures across languages, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between language universals and cultural expressions.
POLITIC IN DIGITAL VIDEO GAMES: A MULTIMODAL GENRE ANALYSIS Title: Politic in Digital Games: A Multimodal Genre Analysis Despite the ubiquitous use of digital games, there are very few studies on the genre of digital games in the academic scholarship. This study is an attempt to develop understanding of this rapidly advancing genre. This research work is based on a holistic perspective of genre as suggested by Clearwater (2011). For this purpose, the researcher adapted an operational analytical framework. The key focus was to investigate the narrative poetics, the potential of rules and parameters to generate a procedural argument, and the process of framing used in developing perspectives in the narrative of the games. In this regard, this qualitative study selected three games: COD: WWII, COD: Black Ops II and GTA-V. The study investigated the structure of pattern of narrative progression and the role of player agency in structuring the narrative of games. Furthermore, the study also analysed the procedural and visual mode to find out how these modes contribute to meaning making. The study also investigated the process and functions of framing to identify how framing can manifest the underlying ideological constructs. The study indicated a triad configuration narrative pattern: overarching meta-arc, a network of subsidiary arcs and a network of micronarratives. The study reflected that despite a prevailing sense of freedom in micronarratives, the bounded player agency did not allow the player to steer the trajectory of narrative. Furthermore, the study pointed out that being an expressive medium, the selected digital games use the process of framing to emphasize and glorify American military heroism or deemphasize capitalism. Furthermore, the study revealed the potential of digital games to generate a procedural argument through its system of affordance and restrictions (rules and parameters). The study suggests that digital games should be investigated to explore their various communicative dimensions, specifically the procedural arguments which have not been focused in linguistics and communication studies. Key words: digital games, genre analysis, narrative, framing and procedural mode
SPATIALITY, PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY AND VIOLENCE: A STUDY OF SELECTED PAKISTANI FICTION Title: Spatiality, Psychogeography and Violence: A Study of Selected Pakistani Fiction This study explores the intersection of spatial production, psychogeography, and urban violence in Pakistani fiction, focusing on Bilal Tanweer‘s The Scatter Here Is Too Great and Saba Imtiaz‘s Karachi, You're Killing Me!. Drawing on theoretical concepts of Henri Lefebvre‘s Spatial Production and Guy Debord‘s Psychogeography, the research investigates how these novels depict the relationship between literary urban spaces and violence, and how these narratives reflect and influence sociopolitical realities. Karachi's urban spaces, as portrayed in the selected texts, are active elements shaping and being shaped by social dynamics, power structures, and violence. The characters‘ experiences and interactions with the city‘s spaces highlight the socio-economic disparities and psychological impacts of living in a volatile urban environment. The study qualitatively analyses these fictional portarayals of literary depictions of Karachi in the two texts using Catherine Belsey‘s Textual Analysis. This study underscores the importance of understanding spatial dynamics in addressing urban violence and the cyclical nature of violence, where spatial dynamics perpetuate power inequalities. It also offers insights into how literary representations can inform more inclusive and human-centered urban planning. Recommendations for future research include exploring gendered experiences in urban spaces, comparative analyses, and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding urban spaces and violence in literature.
SOLASTALGIA AND ALTERITY IN SPACE: AN ECOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF THE SHOW LOST IN SPACE Title: Solastalgia and Alterity in Space: An Ecolinguistic Study of the show Lost in Space This interdisciplinary research falls into the domains of linguistics (precisely ecolinguistics) and semiotics. Streaming Netflix series like “Lost in Space” are capable of shaping and reshaping societal perspectives through their linguistic and visual narratives. This research aims to investigate the way media designs the interaction of human beings with the space environment keeping in mind the themes of solastalgia and alterity. This study aims to analyze this interaction from both a linguistic and semiotic perspective. The study analyzes whether the outer space environment is viable for human beings or not. While the existing body of knowledge has made significant strides in understanding human interaction with regard to the environment of Earth, this study finds a notable gap in the literature concerning the relationship between humans and the outer space environment from a linguistic and semiotic standpoint. This research seeks to address this gap by employing Ming Cheng’s framework of Ecological Discourse Analysis (2022) and Thomas Albert Sebeok’s Biosemiotic Model (2001). On one hand, through the Transitivity System of EDA, this research underscores the emotional responses triggered by the catastrophes of outer space, while on the other hand, the Mood System of EDA helps understand the relationship between humans and extraterrestrial species, thereby highlighting the themes of solastalgia and alterity respectively. Moreover, the application of Biosemiotics is considered to be instrumental for this research as it helps understand the process of meaning-making with regard to the environment of outer space. The data for this research comprises the closed captions of the series “Lost in Space”. The sampling technique is based on purposive sampling with the rationale to include only those episodes that largely reflect the themes of solastalgia and alterity. The research finds that space environment induces distress, discomfort and fear in human beings. Moreover, it also suggests that it is not possible for human beings to co-exist with the alien species. The study recommends that the future researchers must further explore the alternative narratives concerning human beings and space environment as it will help understand this area more comprehensively.
TEACHING OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR THROUGH TED-ED VIDEOS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF UNDERGRADUATE PAKISTANI LEARNERS Title: Teaching Of English Grammar Through TED-Ed Videos: An Experimental Study of Undergraduate Pakistani Learners Animation has become a pivotal tool in online education, particularly in language acquisition, leveraging platforms like TED for its wide accessibility and user-friendly interface. This study explores the impact of animated TED-Ed videos on English grammar learning among undergraduate students in Mardan, Pakistan. Guided by Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML) and Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), the research aimed to assess learning outcomes and student satisfaction. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, initially conducting a pilot study with 10 students followed by a main study involving 206 undergraduates from the English Department of Government Girls Post Graduate College. Data collection included preand post-tests alongside a Learning Satisfaction Survey (LSS). A multimodal analysis of selected animated TED-Ed videos evaluated their alignment with the CTML principles: spatial contiguity, temporal contiguity, signaling, redundancy, and coherence. Findings indicated a significant positive impact of animated TED-Ed videos on English grammar learning outcomes, rejecting the null hypothesis in favor of their effectiveness. The multimodal analysis confirmed that videos adhered to CTML principles, effectively managing cognitive load and enhancing learning outcomes. Moreover, the LSS revealed high levels of student satisfaction, affirming the educational value of animated TED-Ed videos in the classroom. In conclusion, the integration of animated TED-Ed videos in English grammar instruction positively influences undergraduate learning experiences by optimizing cognitive load management and enhancing academic satisfaction. This research contributes to the potential of multimedia resources in enhancing educational outcomes in diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. The study's findings have global implications and can potentially enrich the pedagogical approaches of English Language Teaching (ELT) in Pakistan, thereby promoting more effective and engaging environments for language learning.
THE LANGUAGE AND THE LAW: A SEMANTIC-PRAGMATIC STUDY OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (PREVENTION AND PROTECTION) BILL, 202 Title: The Language and the Law: A Semantic-Pragmatic Study of The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2021 The present study comprehensively assesses the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2021, concerning Pakistan. It explores the nuances of the terminology used in the Bill and looks at how applicable and significant it is in Pakistan’s sociocultural context. The study recognizes that language and law have coexisted historically and that there is still discussion about how they are related, especially regarding legal interpretation. The study uses a nuanced approach provided by Relevance Theory. This theoretical framework offers valuable insights into how language is processed and perceived within legal situations, highlighting its importance and effectiveness within Pakistani society. The study adopts a mixed-method research methodology, utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods to thoroughly evaluate the Bill’s significance. Content analysis gives qualitative data. Questionnaires with a closed-ended Likert scale are distributed to gather data using a convenience sampling technique. Forty professional lawyers from Islamabad ICT and District Lakki Marwat comprise the target population, allowing for a targeted analysis of viewpoints from legal practitioners working in different geographical contexts. The Bill, which tackles the four main facets of domestic violence—physical, psychological, economic, and sexual—represents a historic piece of legislation within the Pakistani legal system. The research recognizes Bill’s acknowledgment of domestic abuse in Pakistan but also points out areas that might be improved. The study found that language and interpretation are two different things and that the interpretation of the legal language depends on the context. It demonstrates a dedication to improving its effectiveness and applicability. Legal jargon and condensed language are found to minimize linguistic relevance because they increase cognitive processing. Implicatures and explicatures are found to differ under different contexts. Furthermore, the study found multiple explicatures of the Bill’s clauses, resulting in linguistic ambiguity and different interpretations than the drafters intended. Through careful analysis and consideration, this thesis attempts to add to ongoing discussions surrounding legislative reform and social justice in the Pakistani context.
STUDY OF CODE-MIXING OF ENGLISH WORDS IN HINDKO COMMUNICATION: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE This study examined the phenomenon of code-mixing of English words in Hindko communication from a sociolinguistic perspective, focusing on the frequency and grammatical categories within the field of linguistics. The study aimed to investigate the frequency of English code-mixing in the communication of Hindko speakers in District Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The research employed a mixed method approach based on the theoretical framework proposed by Hoffman (1991) and Muysken's framework. A sample of twenty Hindko speakers was selected, and their use of English code-mixed words was analysed. Data collection involved interviews and observational methods, with considerations for time, gender, and age diversity among the participants. The analysis reveals that Hindko speakers frequently incorporate English words into their daily conversations. The findings of the study show that Hindko speakers frequently use English words into their daily conversations, with a major use of code-mixing involving nouns. However, the integration of English is not limited to nouns alone; speakers also commonly code-mix verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. This pattern of language blending highlights the dynamic nature of language use among Hindko speakers, reflecting both linguistic flexibility and the influence of English in communication. However, due to time constraint, the study did not cover code-mixing involving other languages or include samples from all sectors of daily life. Future research opportunities exist to explore these aspects further and provide a comprehensive understanding of code-mixing in Hindko.
Framing Fifa World Cup Stories: An Ecolinguistic Analysis of Discourse in Online Editorials Ecolinguistics framing in FIFA World Cup stories refers to the use of the language to shape readers’ perceptions. The present research study primarily focuses on online editorials framing the FIFA world-cup stories, predominant language frameworks, employment of the specific linguistic framework to influence the readers’ perception and to influence their attitudes towards the FIFA stories. For this purpose, the current takes the research data from 6 different newspapers, such as the BBC, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Al-Jazeera, Gulf Times, and Arab News. A total of 12 newspaper editorials were selected from the time span of from October 2022 to January 2023. Arran Stibbe's “Ecolinguistics: Language, Ecology, and the Stories We Live By” constitutes the theoretical framework of the study. The meticulous analysis identifies different ecological positions, discursive manifestations, and thematic congruity in the online environmental discourses. The results portray a picture of ecological thought that is so varied, including deep ecology, social ecology, feminism, and others, providing different perspectives on the human-environment relationship. However, common themes, including sustainability, social justice, and global cooperation, point towards the need for more collaborative and inclusive approaches to environmental governance. Additionally, the thesis offers complementary information on the dynamic relations between the ecosophical dispositions, discursive orientations, and online-offline relations and discourses. The insights generated have implications for environmental discourses and decision-making. The research underscores the need for dialogue, collaboration, and action and promotes diversity and inclusivity to ensure the future is sustainable and regenerative.
Exoneration and Nominalization in Power Politics: A Corpus Assisted Discourse Study of US Reports on Afghan War Title: Exoneration and Nominalization in Power Politics: A Corpus Assisted Discourse Study of US Reports on Afghan War Language is an effective communication tool and is widely used nowadays because of social media by people to put forward ideas in the best possible way. Most of the time, it is used to fabricate facts and distort reality to avoid responsibility and accountability for actions. The present study is an attempt to analyze language used in 04 of the American official documents on Afghan War (2001-2021) both quantitatively and qualitatively. The collected data was first run through Corpus tools: Ant Conc. 4.2.4.0. and UAM Corpus Tool 3.3 to find out the frequency and concordance of Nominalization and Exoneration instances. The found instances were then discussed through Fair clough’s three-dimensional model (1989) to show how the US has positioned itself regarding actions and mistakes in the Afghan war. It’s found that both the linguistic manipulation techniques: Nominalization and Exoneration have been used to avoid taking responsibility and accountability of wrongdoings or mistakes. The technique of Exoneration is used both in the present and past tense to avoid responsibility for actions. Nominalization is more used in the reports than Exoneration. However, Exoneration is in the way of gaining recognition with each passing day. Both the techniques are effectively used in masking the agent. Future research could explore how visual and multimedia elements in official reports, such as images and graphs, interact with linguistic strategies like Nominalization and Exoneration. Additionally, examining these strategies in real-time media, including news broadcasts and social media, could reveal how they adapt across platforms and influence public perception.