THE LEGITIMACY OF PAKISTANI ENGLISH AS AN EMERGING VARIETY IN WORLD ENGLISHES

Abstract

This paper investigates the development and acceptance of Pakistani English (PakE), commonly known as Pinglish, as a distinctive and continuously evolving form within the broader context of World Englishes. As an officially recognized language in Pakistan, PakE has acquired identifiable linguistic characteristics influenced by the nation's historical background, cultural dynamics, and religious traditions. The article offers a concise historical account of the introduction and adaptation of English in Pakistan, highlighting its transformation into a localized variant. It delves into the phonological, morphological, syntactic, and lexical aspects that define this variety. The findings support the growing consensus that Pakistani English is a structured, rule-governed form of the language, meriting recognition on the global stage as a valid English variety.