EMERGING PAKISTANI ENGLISH: A THREAT OR PROTECTION FOR EXISTING STANDARD ENGLISHES

Abstract

The emergence of Pakistani English (PakE) has sparked considerable debate regarding its impact on the integrity of Standard Englishes. This study investigates whether PakE serves as a safeguarding linguistic adaptation reflecting Pakistan’s cultural identity or poses a threat to the global comprehensibility and standards of English. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed involving 80 sixth-grade students from public and private schools in Pakistan. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire assessing language exposure, attitudes toward PakE and BrE, and a standardized English proficiency test. 51.2% of students preferred Pakistani English over standard English (48.8%), but the majority perceived it as a threat to English standards. No substantial effect of native language on PakE exposure suggests its widespread distribution. Greater PakE exposure significantly reduced Standard English competence. To guarantee global communicative competency, educational initiatives must blend cultural linguistic identity with the standards of international English. To comprehend PakE's changing function in Pakistan's language, future studies should be extensive and longitudinal.