NATIONAL IDENTITY REFLECTED THROUGH A SECONDARY LEVEL ENGLISH TEXTBOOK IN PUNJAB: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to explore the development of national identity through English language textbook 7 in Pakistan. Specifically, it captures the linguistic, religious, and cultural aspects of national identity in the English textbook by the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board, Lahore for grades 7. Building and formation of a sense of national identity among students at this level is reflective of political decisions and institutional policies as couched and translated in the English Language Teaching (ELT) textbooks designed in line with the national curricula of Pakistan 2020 and 2022-23. By and large, data comprised lexical items of Islam, Urdu and culture incorporated in the English language textbooks to promote nation-building, unity, and patriotism among Pakistani students. Interviews with teachers of the respective level were conducted to capture their perceptions of national identity-building ideology in the ELT book to validate the approach and methodology. Word counts and frequency counts of the relevant and assorted categories illustrated the intended aspects of national identity to be inculcated in the learners. The true concept and spirit of national identity are all the more important in this age of social media and the ubiquity of readily accessible discourses in intercultural and cross-cultural communications. To sum up, it is about the linguistic features of non-native Pakistani English used in English language textbooks for grades 7 by Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Lahore to shape the national identity of the learners.