INFLUENCE OF URDU IN LEARNING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Abstract

This article explains the influence of Urdu in learning English. It explores the status of both Urdu and English in Pakistan. This study employs mixed research methodology, i.e., both qualitative and quantitative. This study is helpful because it investigates the problems and difficulties that English learners face due to the influence of Urdu. Through the interview of the students, it is evident that Urdu plays an essential role in learning English. At one point in the interview, almost all the students switched to Urdu as they could not communicate in English. Mispronunciation occurs due to phonological differences in Urdu and English, as many English sounds are absent in Urdu. In the same way, grammatical mistakes occur due to differences in the grammatical structures of Urdu and English. For instance, there is no concept of the definite article in Urdu. In the same way, the verb does not change its form as in English simple present tense, i.e., ‘s’ and ‘es’ are added to the verb when the subject is in the third person singular.