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Item Language anxiety in eel learners in pakistani academic context(UMT Lahore, 2011) Ammara AdeelFeelings of tension, apprehension, depression and nervousness have been reported by foreign language learners in learning and particularly speaking the language. Such feelings mostly exert considerable negative and harmful effect on learners' communication in the foreign language. In recent years, many researchers have tried to investigate the causes and effects of foreign language anxiety on learners' performance and communication, but the specific factors and their effects of foreign language anxiety have not been clearly established yet. Some of the studies tried to capture this complex phenomenon from learners' perspective while others intended to explore it from the teachers' perspective. This study attempts to examine the views and perceptions of Pakistani language teachers and learners on the phenomenon of language anxiety in speaking skills with a focus on English as a foreign language. Like previously conducted researches, this study also tries to investigate various factors which can potentially provoke anxiety in the learners of English language in Pakistan and have detrimental effect on their communication, resulting in language anxiety. The present study investigates the complex phenomenon of speaking anxiety by using qualitative semi-structured individual interviews and focus-group discussion. Thirty four participants participated in the research, out of which twenty seven were learners and seven participants were experienced language teachers. The findings suggested that speaking anxiety stems in learners from their self created perceptions and beliefs about themselves and in speaking the English language, strict and formal classroom environment, linguistic difficulties, difference in schooling system and social status etc. As a result of these factors obvious physical changes were observed in the learners which assured that they were experiencing speaking anxiety.Item The use of 'we' in political speeches(UMT Lahore, 2011) Muhammad AyyazThe use of first and second person pronouns shows how political speakers conceptualize audiences; this particular use is an important indicator of audience's conceptualization both by the speakers and writers in political discourse. Concerning this part of English language in language science there are certain areas which grammarians and linguists have studied. Linguists have also studied certain aspects of political speeches delivered by leading world politicians from elite countries on different events focusing different areas like grammar, style, discourse analysis, etc. The study of pronoun, in political and academic discourse, is diverse. Linguists call reference and discourse function as two of the most widely discussed aspects of pronouns. In this study I present research on the use of pronoun 'we' in Pakistani political speeches and it will reveal important results about the use of 'we' especially related to reference and discourse function.Item Nazir Ahmad Malik,A Socio-Progmatic Study of Communicative Silence Voicing the Unsaid(UMT Lahore, 2011) Mahrukh BaigThe current study is of socio-pragmatic nature that negates the conventional view of silence as an antithesis of communication and theoretically proves it as simply another channel in which human beings exchange information. In this theoretical yet approachable account of multitudinal aspects of silence, the researcher maintains that silence is a highly effective tool for communication which is perceived and practised in various ways, serving numerous communicative functions. The research is based on a multidisciplinary investigation of the subject, tracing out a variety of communicative dimensions of silence from the domains of linguistics, communication, anthropology, psychology and literature. The research area is capable of instigating a sense of curiosity to further explore this meaningful land of no words. This is an academic study primarily focused on defining the concept of silence as a rich and evocative aspect of communication. This objective is realized through a text based examination of multiple meanings communicated through silence in human interaction. The textual analysis is conducted under an eclectic framework of approaches built on the foundation of theoretical pragmatics and social-cognition. Along these lines, the study investigates globalized socio-pragmatic implications of silence beyond spatio-temporal boundaries at the universalized level of human communication.Item Shift in gender role in adrienne rich(UMT Lahore, 2011) Uzma SiddiqueThis study investigates the technique of narrative which is skillfully manipulated to get the poet’s aim. Her female play the role of males. Due to the failure in marital life and inferiority complex she wants to take the role of a man who is free from all responsibilities. Qualitative as well as quantitative data was analyzed. The researcher’s main focus was the textual analysis of some of the work of Adrienne Rich’s poetry. The study was conducted in Punjab University and its affiliated Colleges The results of the study indicate that contrary to Adrienne Rich’s view about equality of both genders Pakistani society is reluctant to give space to it. The different views of male and female teachers on Adrienne Rich’s poetry can be seen under different reader’s response. The researcher’s work opens the road for further investigation OF the study in relation to the contemporaries of Adrienne Rich.Item Relation between intonation and speech acts (with reference to english and urdu languages from the hearer’s perspective)(UMT Lahore, 2011) FAHAD AFTABLanguages occupy the most important place in our life. A lot of linguists, philosophers, and psychologists have studied and analyzed speech acts; in languages words do not just stand as words but perform various actions. Most of the researchers have analyzed speech acts, but with reference to the speakers’ intention. The present study intends to analyze the factors which are instrumental in the successful realization of speech acts. The research highlights the inevitability of intonation and syntax in the proper realization of speech acts. The researcher has observed that a lot of emphasis is laid by the teachers on the learning of syntax of a language as most of them think that it is the proper syntax that is instrumental in the successful realization of a direct speech act. Some linguists have discussed speech acts with reference to intonation, and some of them have discussed with reference to syntax, still most of them opine that the phonetic factor is responsible for illocutionary force that determines the speech act. The present study has discussed various factors which are responsible for the successful realization of speech acts both in English and Urdu languages. Furthermore, the study has taken into account the aspects of indirect speech and the reasons which are helpful for an indirect speech act to be realized accurately.Item A comparative study of death-related euphemistic expressions in english used by native speakers and punjabi l1 speakers(UMT Lahore, 2011) Masood AhmedEuphemism is a linguistic lubricant aiming at reducing communicative friction. Some happenings are too sensitive to be expressed without linguistic safeguards i.e. euphemisms. Death is, undoubtedly, one of such happenings which have been taboos since time immemorial. This thesis attempts to make a comparative analysis of the use of death euphemism in English by native English speakers and the Punjabi L1 speakers, well versed in English language. The study also encompasses whether education plays a significant role in the use of euphemistic expressions for death and dying. The hypothesis under investigation is that ‘native English speakers use less euphemistic expressions for death in comparison with Punjabi L1 speakers’. The research is quantitative in approach and descriptive in nature. The population consists of native English speakers across the globe and Punjabi L1 speakers well versed in English language. The sample comprises 34 respondents in each case. The researcher has used random sampling technique. A questionnaire, containing 15 items, has been used to gather data. The study explores that Punjabi L1 speakers, while communicating in English language, are more prone to using euphemistic expressions for death than the native English speakers.Item The use of mother tongue as the medium of instruction till primary level in governemnt schools of punjab to decrease the drop out rate(UMT Lahore, 2011) PRIYA AVAISThis research aims to investigate the need for having mother tongue as a medium of instruction in the government schools of Punjab. The use of Mother tongue as a medium of instruction would most likely result in a decreased dropout rate at the Primary level. This has been proved through an earlier research that teaching the young ones during their initial years in their mother tongue is a strong predictor of their second language acquisition in later years .The children who learn initially in this manner have strong associative skills and can form concepts in a better manner. This research has been conducted taking a population of convenient sample from two government schools located in socio economically similar areas. Sixty questionnaires were disseminated and fifty two questionnaires were filled, out of these twenty seven were filled by male teachers (respondents) of the boys school and twenty five were filled by the female teachers of the girls’ school. It was discovered through this research that these schools are facing problems while conducting their lessons in L2, i.e. English and to an extent Urdu, as most of the children use Punjabi as their mother tongue. The raw data quantitatively collected was analyzed on SPSS, and frequencies were found to be further elaborated by histograms. The analysis showed that having the mother tongue as a medium of instruction would facilitate the students and the dropout rate at the primary level would decline. This research signifies that literacy is more important than learning a second language and education can be delivered to young children effectively in their mother tongue. It also revealed an important fact that however the respondents felt embarrassed to use their mother tongue, but agreed during the research that using the mother tongue no doubt makes them feel not only comfortable but also closer to their roots. The teachers also had certain reservation regarding second language teaching as being a non native teacher of English is not an easy job.