Journal of Arts and Linguistics Studies

A Deconstructive Analysis of the Protagonist in Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray

Aaisha Umt Ur Rashid, Ayesha Abed — Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Among different researches, it is observed that the protagonist of the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, is depicted as an antagonist, or a hero that turned into a villain. This study aims to visualize the protagonist through diverse lenses. The purpose of this study is to closely understand the text, and shed light upon the psychological progression, the tragic flaw, and the understanding of different elements that stimulate Gray’s growth. The study keenly views the text, and generates suppositions; it highlights the aspects of the novel that are undiscussed formerly, and forms an empathetic, and unbiased analysis of Dorian Gray. The study aims to contextualize the pivotal effect of the portrait, and other characters, on the personality of Dorian Gray. Derrida’s theoretical framework of deconstruction is used in this study in order to dissect, and remodel Dorian Gray’s character. This dissection, and remodeling is achieved by generating suppositions, and evaluating prospects. Overall, the study accomplishes the deconstructive analysis in order to reinvent, and empathetically unravel Dorian Gray’s probable personality.

Tweets, Hashtags, and Campaigns: A Multimodal Analysis of Donald Trump’s Social Media Strategy

Wasim Akram, Dr. Said Imran, Dr. Syed Sabih ul Hassan — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Social media has drastically changed political discourse, offering politicians direct access to connect, engage, and gather voters without discretion. This research paper uses Multimodal Discourse Analysis to examine how Donald Trump's rhetorical and visual Twitter tactics interact, construct meaningful narratives, and influence the public. Kress and Van Leeuwen's framework scrutinizes how Trump's tweets employ ideological, interpersonal, and textual functions to shape views, reinforce dogmas, and inspire participation strategically. Results demonstrate that to cultivate loyalty and control his story, Trump persistently capitalizes words for emphasis, repeats slogans for familiarity, adopts a bold tone for authority, and shares patriotic graphics for identification. While exacerbating polarization, his populist, nationalist, and autocratic language passionately unite supporters behind a cause. Moreover, the blended hashtags, catchphrases, and visual aids in his messages maximize emotional resonance and spread, amplifying influence within the online sphere. These insights highlight social media's growing capacity to define discussions and determine outcomes and multimodality's power in modern political communication. Future studies comparing the multimodal strategies employed by different political figures can help us better understand how the dynamics of online political communication are changing.

Interconnecting Individualities and Eco-Feminism: A Linguistic Approach to Fahmida Riaz's Poems Translated by Tahira Naqvi

Umm-e- Laila Naqvi, Prof. Dr Zafar Iqbal Bhatti — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper explores the intricate interplay of individuality, gender, and ecology in Fahmida Riaz’s poetry, particularly in The Body Torn and Other Poems, as translated by Tahira Naqvi. Through a Critical Discourse Analysis, the study investigates how Riaz’s poetic language constructs and interweaves distinct identities within an eco-feminist framework. Central to the inquiry is how linguistic elements—such as metaphors, pronoun usage, and syntactic patterns—reveal the interconnected nature of gendered experiences and environmental concerns. The research also examines the role of translation in preserving or reshaping these thematic connections. By employing a qualitative methodology that integrates Critical Discourse Analysis and Sociolinguistics, the study highlights how Riaz’s work challenges patriarchal structures and ecological exploitation through strategic language use. Furthermore, it addresses a gap in literary scholarships by focusing on the intersection of eco-feminism and translation in Riaz’s poetry. The findings contribute to broader discussions in feminist linguistics, translation studies, and eco-critical literary analysis.

The Political Economics of Language Barrier Analyzing the Cross Disciplinary Action of Politico Economic Research through Linguistic Lens

Syed Hyder Raza Shah, Noor Ul Ain Sahito, Ali Siddiqui — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examines the complex relationship between language and political economy, highlighting the significant impact of linguistic characteristics on the economic environment. This paper explores the relationship between political economy and language, specifically how language is used for influence, negotiation, and coercion while developing and implementing economic policies. Using linguistic approaches, the research examines how language influence’s public opinion of economic policy. The study examines how politicians explain difficult economic concepts and how language might influence inclusion or exclusion in decision-making procedures. The review examines how linguistic variety and communication constraints affect the efficacy of economic efforts. The review examines the sociopolitical impact of language on economic policy, including how it might reinforce or challenge power relations and inequality. This review combines political economy and linguistics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between language and economic policy. It is relevant for lawmakers, researchers, and those who practice seeking an integrated view of the current economic landscape.

Discovering Virginia Woolf's Linguistic Tapestry in "A Haunted House" and "The Widow and The Parrot" with a Systemic Functional Linguistic Lens

Dr. Kamran Ali, Farzana Sohail, Hafiz Imran Nawaz — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study using SFL framework investigates the patterns Virginia Woolf woven in two of her stories "A Haunted House" and "The Widow and the Parrot". Both stories deal with supernatural elements, but they diverge in the pattern when a SFL based analysis was carried out. Having a detailed examination of transitivity and thematic structure we discovered distinguished linguistic strategies to showcase supernatural atmospheres. The data reveal that both stories employ unmarked inanimate themes with material processes, yet their process type distribution and narrative integration vary greatly. In "A Haunted House," integration of supernatural and emotions is done by employing more stable spread of marked (16%) and unmarked themes (33% animate, 51% inanimate) with a dominant proportion of material processes (80%). Whereas "The Widow and the Parrot" displays a divergent distribution with enhanced relational processes (30% vs 8%) drawing clear boundaries between supernatural sections (70% inanimate themes) and compassionate texts (100% animate themes). This comparative investigation validates Woolf's intact pattern to create supernatural elements and discovers that she uses different processes to integrate elements of supernatural and emotions throughout her story 'A Haunted House' and disintegrate supernatural and compassionate texts in 'The Widow and the Parrot'.

Exploring the Connection between Presence and Absence of Krashen’s Theory on Learner’s Input and Affective Filters: A Triangulation Approach

Mehak Jawed, Dr. Kamran Ali, Tanveer Ahmed — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research examines Krashen’s Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theory, particularly the Input Hypothesis and Affective Filter Hypothesis, which impact learners’ emotional states such as motivation, confidence, and anxiety. Using a triangulation approach, the study integrates quantitative (language proficiency tests and affective filter questionnaire) and qualitative data (classroom observations) from two groups of B2 English learners where one receiving instruction based on Krashen’s input hypothesis while the other was taught using traditional, grammar-translation methods. The findings indicate a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between Krashen-based instruction and learner motivation, albeit a slight but noteworthy decrease in learner anxiety. In contrast, the absence of Krashen’s theory in traditional classrooms inevitably lowered motivation and increased anxiety levels. Thematic analysis provided additional support by highlighting that classrooms following Krashen’s ideologies foster emotional resilience, active participation, and spontaneous language use. The study concludes that Krashen’s theory provides an educational framework as well as a psychological one that can significantly improve the teaching and learning of a second language.

Impact of Automation on Labour Laws in Pakistan: Investigating the Challenges and Opportunities for Workers in a Changing Job Market

Aurang Zaib Ashraf Shami, Freeha Khaled, Usman Asghar — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid advancement of automation technologies is reshaping labor markets globally, with significant implications for developing economies like Pakistan. This research investigates the impact of automation on labor laws in Pakistan, focusing on the challenges and opportunities it presents for the workforce. As industries increasingly adopt automated systems, traditional job roles are being redefined or eliminated, raising concerns about job security, workers' rights, and legal protections. The study explores how existing labor laws align—or fail to align—with the demands of a technologically evolving job market. Through a qualitative analysis of legal frameworks, policy documents, and expert interviews, the paper highlights key gaps in labor legislation that need urgent reform to safeguard workers’ interests. It also identifies potential opportunities, such as the creation of new job categories, upskilling programs, and improved workplace safety. The findings emphasize the need for a proactive and adaptive legal response to automation, ensuring an inclusive labor environment that supports both economic growth and social justice. This study aims to inform policymakers, legal experts, and stakeholders about necessary reforms to make labor laws in Pakistan more resilient and responsive in the face of technological disruption.

Empowered or Muted? Exploring the Intersection of Workplace Culture and Gender Expectations for Women in the Corporate Sector in Peshawar, Pakistan

Aimen Atta, Muhammad Waqar Ali — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper explores how workplace culture intersects with gender expectations and shapes the experiences of working women in the corporate sector in Peshawar, tackling hurdles and growth opportunities side by side, making women feel either empowered or muted. However, due to lack of qualitative data and the factors influencing women’s experiences in male-dominated cities (i.e., Peshawar) are uncharted. The focal objective of this study was to explore and study the intersection of workplace culture and gender expectations on working women in addition to the core factors that impacted the perspectives and experiences of working women in the corporate sector. Data were accumulated from 13 female employees in the form of purposive sampling via interviews, and analysis was done in light of the interpretivist paradigm by applying qualitative approach. The thematic analysis was scrutinized according to the framework of muted group theory, women empowerment and Genderlect, highlighting the factors that were shared by respondents. The analysis revealed that women working in the corporate sector in Peshawar felt empowered just by having the work and opportunities to excel, while felt muted whenever they were overlooked or interrupted owing to societal and cultural constraints, they preferred muteness rather than voicing to maintain interpersonal dynamics at the workplace. The findings recommended that working women should voice their opinions and should focus on their education, security, and well-being. Furthermore, organizations and workplaces should implement policies and practices concerning gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The Role of AI in Documenting Pragmatic Markers and Semantic Structures in Undocumented Pakistani Languages

Waqas Ahmed, Dr Zafar Iqbal Bhatti, Rafaqat Hussain Shah — Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid decline of undocumented languages in Pakistan threatens the disappearance of invaluable cultural, historical, and linguistic knowledge. Despite a rich linguistic landscape, many regional and minority languages remain poorly described, with limited textual resources or scholarly analysis. This study explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning techniques, can be effectively utilized to document pragmatic markers and semantic structures in these endangered languages. Pragmatic markers—words or phrases that regulate discourse and convey speaker intention—are crucial to understanding how language reflects social structure, cognition, and cultural interaction. Drawing on fieldwork conducted in multilingual regions of Pakistan, the study integrates transformer-based AI models with traditional linguistic methods to identify and categorize pragmatic markers and their functions. The research demonstrates that AI enhances the efficiency and accuracy of linguistic documentation, especially when applied to low-resource languages. However, it also reveals the irreplaceable value of human linguistic expertise and community engagement in ensuring the authenticity, interpretability, and ethical soundness of AI-generated insights. The findings challenge universalist assumptions about pragmatics, emphasizing cultural specificity and variation. By bridging technology and field linguistics, this study offers a new model for interdisciplinary collaboration in language preservation, paving the way for more inclusive, ethical, and effective documentation practices. Recommendations include developing AI models adapted to local linguistic typologies, promoting multimodal and community-led research methodologies, and ensuring equitable access to linguistic resources for marginalized language communities.

Teaching Literature Through Linguistic Lenses: A Stylistic Approach

Muhammad Asif, Zahra Khan, Sumra Mussarat Jabeen Satti, Ali Raza Chhalgri Baloch — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the impact of teaching literature through a stylistic approach, using linguistic analysis as a tool to enhance students’ interpretive and analytical abilities. This research was conducted for over six weeks with 40 undergraduate students divided into experimental and control groups. The research employed a mixed-methods design combining pre- and post- assessments, rubric-based essay evaluations, and qualitative feedback through surveys and focus groups. Results revealed that students exposed to stylistic instruction demonstrated a 22.2% improvement in their mean essay scores, compared to an 8.3% improvement among those receiving traditional thematic instruction. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of these gains, with a paired t-test yielding p < 0.001 for the experimental group. Qualitative findings supported quantitative data, with 86% of students in the stylistic group reporting increased confidence in textual interpretation and critical reading. Students highlighted the structured nature of stylistic analysis as key to their deeper engagement with literary texts, enabling them to move beyond subjective impressions to evidence-based interpretations. Initial challenges regarding the complexity of stylistic terminology were reported but largely overcome through gradual scaffolding. The research aligns with prior studies emphasizing stylistics as a bridge between linguistic precision and literary creativity. Based on these outcomes, it is recommended that literature curricula systematically incorporate stylistic methods, that teacher training programs include modules on pedagogical stylistics, and that further longitudinal studies be conducted to assess the long-term effects of stylistic training. Overall, teaching literature through linguistic lenses cultivates critical literacy, enhances academic performance, and prepares students for nuanced engagement with both literary and real-world discourses.

Cult of Poetry and Cult of Revolution: Friendship as Explored Through Alexander Pushkin and Bhagat Singh’s Handwritten Letters

Rida Akhtar Ghumman — Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper aims to explore the underlying intimacy in selected handwritten letters of two figures of history originating from separate geographical lands. Resistance - in the heart of a revolutionary, Bhagat Singh and a poet, Alexander Pushkin - conveyed separate personalized intimacies, fraught with imperial state structuring, dogma and varied indigenous sensoria for both protagonists of this research. Prescribing nouveau legitimacy to any research is a slippery slope in the extensive academic scholarship, however, this paper perspicaciously traces the truisms of Singh and Pushkin’s times á la their voluble words as written to friends in different times: at ease, in prison, weary of surveillance and policing and in need of comfort.

Navigating Motivational Barriers in English Language Learning: Pedagogical Challenges and Strategies for Tertiary-Level English Teachers

Amber Saleem, Syed Ali Mohsin Naqvi, Azadar Hussain — Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The present study aims at exploring factors that cause the motivational barriers in learning English as a second language (ESL) by college students and how the problems can be mitigated. Unmotivated ESL learners often manifest low engagement, lack of interest, and limited persistence in learning English. This hinders their success and poses challenges for ESL teachers. The study has employed Sequential Exploratory Design that is a mixed method research approach to collect data. Two types of data were collected for the study through two approaches. The qualitative approach addresses the questions on perceptions and opinions of the teachers through focused group interviews based on their lived experiences. The interviews helped to gain teachers’ insights on the barriers ESL students face while learning English language. While the quantitative approach helps to gather the opinions of the students through questionnaire consisted of 15 questions based on three different sections. A Likert-scale questionnaire was designed ranging from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree that addressed different factors causing lack of motivation among ESL learners. To make the data more authentic and reliable, the students were selected from different programs. The findings of the study unveil numerous factors that contribute in making ESL learners unmotivated that include exam-centric education, limited exposure of English in real-life, socio-economic constraints, low self-efficacy, and negative peer influences. The findings also suggest ways for pedagogical implications for policy makers and educators to enhance ESL students’ motivation.

An Embodiment of Resistance against Oppression: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Sherman Alexie's Selected Poems

Qasim Ali Kharal, Qandeel Rasheed, Maheen Jamal, Maryam Sabir — Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The present research aims to explore the resistance and counter-discourse against dominant narratives of white supremacy in Sherman Alexie’s poetry. Critical Discourse Analysis assesses and scrutinizes the methods by which a text or speech resists discourse. Therefore, the researcher has attempted to analyses three poems written by the Native American poet Sherman Alexie using a critical discourse analysis framework. By exploring various elements in the language of the poems, Sherman Alexie has resisted the mainstream American attitude towards Native Americans. The researcher has employed textual analysis and a qualitative approach to scrutinize the poet's text and examine how it challenges the conventional representation of Native Americans in American literature. This analysis highlights how Alexie's use of imagery, symbolism, and narrative voice challenges stereotypes and presents a more nuanced understanding of Native American identity. This nuanced understanding is crucial in dismantling the monolithic portrayals often found in mainstream narratives. By weaving personal and communal experiences into his poetry, Alexie not only reflects the diversity within Native American cultures but also invites readers to engage with their complexities and contradictions. By doing so, the poems reclaim cultural narratives and invite readers to engage with the complexities of contemporary Native American experiences.

Perception and Acceptance of AI-Driven Tools in ESL Learning in Selected Pakistan Universities

Hafsa Idrees, Abdul Haseeb — Sat, 10 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the forefront in technological advancement. AI-driven tools in ESL learning have proven very beneficial and innovative at academic and professional levels. Pakistan is also getting advance in this field. This study aims at the perception and acceptance toward the potential and implementation of AI-driven tools in learning English as Second Language in Pakistan. This study examines the current level of awareness and understanding of AI tools among students, teachers, and administrators to gauge their and potential, acceptance or readiness for adopting such technologies. Data is collected from ESL learner and teachers of the English departments of different universities of Multan for quantitative analysis by using questionnaires and conducted structured interviews. Past studies and research will be reviewed for comprehensive data collection for qualitative analysis. Finding will show the challenges and opportunities faced by AI-driven tools and how they can be tackled by adaptation of AI-Driven tools and making financial strategies and policies for this purpose.

Clipping Patterns in Sindhi: A Morphological Analysis of Word Shortening

Shan Kumar Oad, Hafiz Imran Nawaz, Irfan Ali Shaikh, Sheelo Bai Malhi — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sindhi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in the Sindh province of Pakistan. This study focuses on the clipping processes in the Sindhi language, particularly in relation to word shortening with respect to meaning and grammatical class. Its aims were to identify salient types of clipping, explain their structural patterns, and examine their consequences semantically. Employing qualitative methods, data was gathered through observation at a wedding and informal conversations in Nawabshah which produced 15 instances of clipping. The analysis shows that the most prominent type of clipping is back-clipping (mother to "ما") where suffixes and final syllables are removed. Other types included phonetic reduction (“نرمي” to “نرم”, soft) and some cases of front–clipping (“دروازو” to “در”, door). The results indicate that while clipped forms still convey the primary essence of the word, they are more dependent on situational context and therefore more informal, often devoid of grammatical attributes such as gender or number. This research addresses a gap in the study of morphology of Sindhi and contributes to the understanding of the processes of word formation in the language.

Prospecting Climatic Hazards in Whitley Strieber’s The Day After Tomorrow: An Eco- Critical Perspective

Shadab Aziz, Gul Aizaz, Aziz Ur Rehman — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Meteorological hazards are the constant changes in the atmospheric patterns due to human alteration of the land. However, the weather processes include heat waves, cold waves, cyclones, hurricanes and freezing rain. As a matter of fact, such changes occur particularly in temperature and wind. These natural hazards caused by humans will form another ice age in future. Ice age is basically a long period of climatic shifts in the reduction of Earth atmosphere which leads to ice-melting at poles. The ice age is the coldness of global temperature, and the large areas of the earth are covered by continental ice sheets and alpine glaciers. The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of human activities causing meteorological hazards. This study is delimited to meteorological hazards which are conceived in novel The Day After Tomorrow (hereafter The Day). The research is qualitative using Eco-critical theory to examine meteorological issues caused by human alteration of the land. Apart from the novel as primary source, secondary source includes research articles and web-based links carefully gathered to understand and analyze the story from the given theory. The textual analysis technique is used for the analysis and interpretation of the selected text with Eco-criticism as theoretical tool by William Rueckert is applied thereon. The analysis yields that meteorological issues are caused by human alteration of the land that include deforestation, burning fossil fuel, building infrastructure, transportation networks, agriculture and industrial pollution. The study further finds that meteorological hazards are the results of human pollution which has shown the massive temperature reduction in recent years as per reports of the concerned news agencies. However, we have it has been seen that scientific theories are really working to control these hazards. Therefore, humans need to be disciplined and to treat nature the way it is, rather than changing it according to their needs. Furthermore, they should remain as species rather than nation so that they may control and avert the predictable ice age.