CITY UNIVERSITY RESEARCH JOURNAL OF LITERATURE AND LINGUISTICS

Exploring the Theme of National Identity and Unity in Pakistani Fiction: Home Boy and In Other Rooms, Other Wonders

Muhammad Ajmal — 2024-07-01

The present research aims at conducting a comparative analysis to determine the role of Pakistani English fiction writers in promoting national identity and unity. With an insight into the collection of short stories In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin and the novel Home Boy by H.M. Naqvi, the research explores the underlying themes and narratives of the two aforementioned works to evaluate their contributions in the formation and representation of a Pakistani national identity. The study adopts a qualitative approach whereby the researchers have employed a method of textual analysis to explore the literary techniques used in each work and how it reflects the Pakistani cultural and political contexts. The analysis has focused on the use of language, characterization, and imagery to show how Pakistani English literature reinforces or challenges stereotypes and prejudices related to Pakistan and Pakistani people. This research concludes that the role of Pakistani English literature in promoting national identity and unity is crucial.

Deception and Identity: Unmasking the Personas of the Main Characters in The Kite Runner

Seema Rehman — 2024-06-30

Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner (2003) offers multiple symbolic interpretations for readers. This study aims to explore the internal conflicts experienced by the characters, with a particular focus on how characters like Amir create a facade to conceal their hidden desires, also known as their shadow. It examines the idea that individuals often suppress their internal weaknesses and present a brighter external image. This research aims to bridge the gap between public actions and private proclamations, known as the persona. The findings of the study reveal a contradiction between the virtues the characters project and their actual behaviors, which are driven by guilt, self-preservation, and societal pressures. The study also delves into the archetypes present in the story, such as the "loyal companion" represented by Hassan and the embodiment of evil portrayed by Assef. These archetypes reflect the internal struggles within war-torn Afghan society. Finally, the analysis presents Amir's journey of redemption as a metaphor for the potential healing of society as a whole. In this context, it becomes clear that confronting one's past actions, or shadow, is crucial for both personal and collective transformation.

Undergraduate English Language Learners’ Attitude towards English as an International Language:

Muhammad Waqar Ali — 2024-06-30

A solid and efficient approach to language acquisition is said to need motivation and attitude. The purpose of the study is to gauge the attitude and motivation of undergraduate English language learners towards studying English as a global language. This study was carried out in a reputable Khyber Pakhtunkhwa higher education facility. In accordance with the quantitative methodology, the experiment group participants were given a survey questionnaire consisting of 16 assertive statements and 4 themes following the treatment. The results showed that the students had a favourable attitude towards EIL and were very eager to learn it in the future.

Aurat March Reviewed: A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis of Selected Pakistani Feminist Blogs

Khadija — 2024-06-30

The current study uses FCDA to examine Pakistani online feminist blogs that debate the Aurat March Movement (2018-2023). The research uses purposive sampling and thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) to investigate power dynamics, gender inequality and discrimination by employing Lazar's FCDA model (2005, 2007). The analysis suggests that Aurat March highlighted critical gender concerns in Pakistan. Bloggers highlighted ongoing gender inequities in a variety of contexts, including workplace harassment, bodily autonomy, child abuse, transgender rights, health, salary discrimination, politics, education, and injustice. Since, these blog writers harmonize with the sentiments expressed in the Aurat March (2018-2023) movement, they recognize the pervasive and ingrained nature of gender discrimination faced by women and marginalized communities in Pakistan, therefore they advocate for changes that challenge existing oppressive structures and traditional ideologies, striving for a society that embodies principles of equality, justice and freedom for all. Their call for transformative societal shifts seeks to create a more equitable and fairer world that values the autonomy and rights of every individual.

Key Words: Aurat March Movement, Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA), Online feminist blogs, Pakistani bloggers.

The Interwoven Narratives: Intertextual Analysis of Imran Khan's Political Discourse

Dr.Anbarin Fatima — 2024-08-02

The present study conducts a critical discourse analysis of the political speeches of Imran Khan after his removal from office via a no confidence motion. The main objective of the study is to explore the types of intertextuality employed to build a political narrative. Fairclough (1992) and Xia’s (2018) model of Intertextuality provides the theoretical underpinning. The findings posit that Khan has mentioned religious, literary, political, and historical texts and figures. He quoted direct and indirect voices and intermixed his own voice as well. He mixed religious, historical, and literary genres to make his appeal more interesting and accessible for the audience. Khan used references from the past with predefined cognitive frames and well established semantic values to strengthen his narrative. His selection of intertextual references portrays his opponent negatively while projecting a positive self-image. Such discourse helped him to (re)construct his political ideologies and achieve the desired hegemony.

RECONCILIATION OF MEANING IN TRANSLATED FICTIONAL TEXTS: A GENDER BASED PERSPECTIVE

Azka Khan — 2024-08-20

In the latter part of the 20th century, there has been a growing interest in understanding the intricacies of meaning transfer within translated texts across different languages. This research article delves into the nuanced process of reconciling meaning in texts translated from Urdu to English and vice versa. In this intricate journey of translation, a portion of the original meaning often undergoes transformations and is occasionally lost. Our study examines this phenomenon by focusing on two renowned literary works: The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak (originally written in 2010 and translated into English in 2017) and La-Hasil by Umera Ahmad (originally published in 2006 and translated into English in 2011). We apply the theoretical framework developed by Karpinski and Basile (2021) and focus on the dynamics of power relations between genders within these translated texts, with a particular emphasis on cultural-specific references (CSRs). By exploring the influence of CSRs on the representation of gender-related power dynamics, we aim to shed light on the intricate challenges translators face in maintaining cultural nuances while making the text accessible to a broader audience. This research not only contributes to the field of translation studies but also offers valuable insights for future researchers and translators, especially in the context of less-explored translations of Urdu literature. This study paves the way for a deeper understanding of the translation process and its implications for cross-cultural communication by examining the complexities of meaning reconciliation and the impact of cultural-specific references on gender-related themes.