Achebe’s Glory Lies in His Style of Writing Especially in the Use of Proverbs of Oral Culture in Things Fall Apart

The literary artist’s tool is language. He uses language to explain his character’s performances, activities, routines, inner emotions and ideas. It is apropos to say completely that techniques of writing decide the credibility and acceptability of any literature works. It has also been noticed that efficient adjustment of language in writing decides the expertise of the authors. Achebe uses proverbs as a device for delineating his characters in the selected novel ‘Things Fall Apart’. This paper therefore, thoroughly investigates some proverbs used in the literary texts and their understanding. Keywords: language, writing techniques, proverbs, expertise, literary text

A Comparative Study of Allusions in the Poetry of English Poet John Milton and Persian Poet Hafiz Sherazi

Comparative literary studies characterize similarities and dissimilarities found in poetic works of two writers of different cultures. This study focuses on the use of allusions in poetry of John Milton particularly with reference to Paradise Lost and poetry of Persian Poet Hafiz Sherazi. Using allusions in poetry has been a common style of poets belonging to various cultures and languages as they add to the beauty and imagery of the poem. Yet it arises some difficulties and problems for the readers of the other culture and language. Being alien to a certain culture, the readers of the other language cannot understand the context and meaning of the reference in the form of allusions. Therefore the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the comparatists or the translators to explain and interpret these allusions for comprehension of the readers. Keywords: John Milton, Paradise Lost, allusions, Hafiz Sherazi, interpretation, responsibility, comprehension, reader

The Use of Apology Strategies in English by Pakistani EFL University Students in Pakistan

The speech acts of apology are very important for English language learning and speech acts should be included in the teaching material of English to help learners develop pragmatic competence. Pakistani English language learners lack knowledge of the sociolinguistic rules of speaking English. Successful communication is possible when English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners have pragmatic competence which exhibits the ability to use language forms suitable to socio-cultural context. The use of the speech act of apology of university students of English in Pakistan was investigated in this study based on Holmes’ (1990) and Blum-Kulka’s (1989) apology speech act sets. The results of the study reveal that out of 106 almost all the respondents (105) used “explanation or account” (there was terrible traffic) and (97) used “explicit apology” (sorry). “Expressing self-deficiency” (I forgot; I was confused) and “intensifiers of apology” (I’m very sorry; I’m really sorry) are two other apology strategies which majority of the respondents (76 and 64) also used. Interestingly, none of the respondents reports using “recognizing H as deserving apology” (you are right!) and “acknowledgment of responsibility” (oh, I made a mistake). There is no statistically significant difference in use of apology strategies between male and female respondents. The results of this study might be of pedagogical help and important for teachers, policy makers, curriculum developers, material designers, students, and researchers. Keywords: sociolinguistic rules of speaking, pragmatic competence, Pakistani EFL learners, pedagogical help, Pakistan

The Use of Sociocultural Approach for Teaching ESL Reading Skills to ‘O’ Level Students in Pakistan

Reading comprehension skills are very important for ESL Pakistani O, level learners. Paying attention to the troubles they and the instructors face in Pakistan, the present study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of sociocultural approach in reading comprehension skills. This is a novel approach for Pakistani teachers as it has not yet been tried in teaching especially in reading comprehension skills. To carry out this research, semi-experimental research design was employed including pre and post tests. Keeping in mind the nature of the data, it was analyzed quantitatively and interpreted qualitatively i.e. summary method. The findings of the study clearly exhibited that sociocultural approach is quite effective for teaching reading comprehension skills. The independent sample t-tests were conducted both for pre and post tests which strikingly show the difference of collaborative language learning approach. The results of this research suggest the use of more social and supportive methods in the perspective of language learning and teaching. It is more in support of a collaborative learning atmosphere which requires the presences of a professional or expert-peer that provides students with possibilities to correct themselves and simultaneously to understand the ideal procedures required for the learning of new and challenging abilities

Dilemma of Magic and Witchcraft: It’s Relation with the Ethnicity of Elizabethan Age

This study explores the elements of supernaturalism and witchcraft as the prominent theme in Shakespeare’s play “Othello”. However, it does not have any direct allusion to ghosts and witches but the role of magic is eminent in this play. It can be overlooked by abundant references to bewitchment, prominent among which are the magical history of handkerchief and the allegation of Brabantio against Othello. This will bring to light that cultural background has a prominent impact on Shakespeare’s plays and the role of magic in Othello imposes threats on Venetian society. Shakespeare’s work will be analysed in the light of New Historicism Theory, which explores the work of art and literature in relation to its cultural context. The study has brougt the role of witchcraft and magic to the surface which is ambiguous in the play and has prominent impact on society and culture of that time. Keywords: Supernatural Elements, Magic, Bewitchment, Magical History, New Historicism, handkerchief, Venetian Society, Witchcraf

Modern Man’s Religious Plight: Harvey Whitehouse’ Modes of Religiosity in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

This study textually analyzed Samuel Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’ which shows dispositions of religion to man and man’s behavior to religion. Moreover, the study highlights Beckett’s depiction of man’s belief of waiting for his survivor to come for his help. This paper questions the purpose of religious interpretations and man’s dwindling belief in God at the time of his utmost trial. To debate on the hypothesis, Beckett’s Play “Waiting for Godot is chosen. For the purpose of investigation Harvey Whitehouse’s theory, “Mood of Religiosity” is hence considered. To carry out research, textual analysis is applied. The paper comprises of two levels of investigation, first on theoretical model and second on dimensional model. The paper sets new trends for the future researchers to analyze religion in text through different ways. Keywords: Religiosity, dimensional, behavior, dwindling belief, trial, religious interpretations

Wordsworth’s the Prelude: A Manifesto of Ecocriticism

This paper investigates the contribution of William Wordsworth’s poetry to increase the ecological consciousness of man. His work is analyzed in the light of ecocriticism with focus on reservation of natural resources and ecosystem to avert the undulate effects of human life. The ecocritics endeavor to warn people against their engagement in anti-ecological activities stating society as a mirror to the destructions of nature by artifacts. The literature is one of the prolific realms to exhibit this notion. Romanticism is one amongst the most active literary periods attended by the ecocritics. This study explores the ideas of ecocritics; Lawrence Buell (1939- ), Harold Fromm (1951- ), and Cheryll Glotfelty (1958- ), in the poems of Wordsworth to trace out his cautious views about the interdependence of man and Nature. Accordingly, this research takes into consideration the importance of the mutual relationship between man and Nature as the key components of a vast ecosystem and helps the readers grow ecologically and attain serenity in an era suffocated by technological pollution. Keywords: William Wordsworth, Ecocriticism, Romanticism, Nature, interdependence, mutual relationship, suffocated, technological pollutio

A Socio-Pragmatic Analysis of Appropriateness in a Speech Act of Apology in English

Studies in interlanguage pragmatics have shown that L2 learners’ proficiency has an influence on the occurrences of L1 pragmatic transfer. This paper is designed to study the issues related to the pragmatic aspects of the use of apology strategies in English and the pragmatic transfer. To carry out this research, the qualitative research design is employed. Focus Group Discussion questionnaire is used to elicit data (recorded) from the EFL university students in Pakistan. The results of the study reveal that all the participants reported that they do not translate apology strategies from their L1 cultural norms, except one respondent who replied that he/she use apology strategies having in mind L1 social norms. Anyhow, they all agree that they use apology strategies while keeping in mind the interlocutor’s social status. The study further indicates that Urdu-speaking learners of English in universities use apology strategies according to the severity of the offence. If the situation is severe they use intensifiers and indirect apology strategy and if situation is not severe, they use explicit apology strategy. The results of this study might be of pedagogical help and important for teachers, policy makers, curriculum developers, material designers, students, and researchers. Keywords: interlanguage pragmatics, pragmatic transfer, cultural norms, pedagogical help, Pakista

Comparison of Oral Versus Vaginal Misoprostol for Induction of Labour at Term

Background: To compare the efficacy and safety of oral versus vaginal administration of Misoprostol for induction of labour at term. Methods: In this interventional study primigravida were assigned in two groups; A and B, using non-probability convenient sampling technique. Group-A (n=50) had Misoprostol orally, while group-B (n=50) received the drug by vaginal route. Dosage was 100 μg four hours apart in group-A and six hours apart in group-B. Maximum of four doses were given. Main outcome measures of study were labour-induction interval, labour-delivery interval, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and feto-maternal complications. Results: The mean dosage requirement for induction of labour in groups A and B was 2.1±1.1 and 2.4±1.8 (p-0.23) respectively. Mean labour-induction interval in group A and B were 7.5±4.2 and 7.3±4.1 (p-0.87) hours respectively, which is not significant statistically. Mean labour delivery interval was shorter in vaginal group (4.9±2.7 hours) versus oral group(6.0±2.2) hours (p-0.04). Need for Oxytocin augmentation was less in vaginal group (21%) versus oral group (68%) (p-0.009). There was no statistical difference between the groups with respect to mode of delivery and neonatal outcome. The incidence of hyper-stimulation was similar in both groups. Conclusion:Misoprostol is a cost effective alternate for induction of labour. Misoprostol through vaginal route results in successful cervical ripening, less need for oxytocin and shorter time to delivery with acceptable safety profile

Caught between Two Cultures: Pragmatic Transfer in English-using Pakistanis Apology Responses

In Pragmatics, scholars have given special attention to study the influence of leaners culture and social rules in understanding and using target language pragmatics. For this purpose, speech acts have been studied quite widely. This study investigates the speech act of responding to apology in Pakistani English, British English and Pakistani Urdu, and tries to highlight whether respondents transfer their cultural and social rules in the target language or not. The present study followed quantitative approach for data collection and analysis. A discourse completion test (DCT), consists of 12 apology response scenarios is used for data collection. The findings illustrate that English-using Pakistanis pragmatic choices are clearly influenced by their perceptions of various sociocultural and contextual variables. The English-using Pakistanis and Pakistani Urdu speakers are found using two main strategies (Acceptance, and Acknowledgment). In contrast, British English speakers tend to use Acceptance and Evasion strategies more often. Further, the findings have indicated that English-using Pakistanis and Pakistani Urdu speakers have used more Rejection strategies than their British English counterparts, though such communicative features are not salient in their ARs, and Pakistanis are surprisingly found quite clear and direct. The findings of the study may be helpful to English teachers who should be made aware that L2 learners’ pragmatic transfer is influenced by learners’ culture and social rules, and, as a result, should not be treated simply as a pragmatic ‘error’ or ‘failure’ to be corrected and criticized