Comparative Analysis of Pronouns in English and Urdu: A Cross-Linguistic Study
Abstract
Pronouns are essential for efficient and coherent
discourse. They prevent redundancy and keep
sentences concise and understandable. The objective
of this study is to compare and analyze the use of
pronouns in English and Urdu focusing on their
forms, grammatical functions and cultural contexts.
The study employed a cross-sectional survey design.
The sample population consisted of 107 native Urdu
speakers who live in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan
City, Ward No. 11, Banke, Nepal. The researcher
used self-selection convenience sampling to select
the sample. Urdu language data was collected using
a structured questionnaire. However, English
language data was gathered from secondary
sources. The questionnaire consisted of ten closeended and forty open-ended questions. The questions
were written in English and translated into Nepali.
The data was analyzed using descriptive methods of
quantitative data analysis. The results revealed that
the Urdu language has a more wide range of
pronouns in second-person and honorific contexts.
English pronouns are more uniform across cases but
Urdu has gender-neutral pronouns. Urdu also
possesses distinctions based on proximity and
respect. The study highlights the structural and
functional variances in the pronominal systems of the
two languages.
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