English to Urdu Transliteration AS A Major Cause of Pronunciation Error in L1 and L2 Urdu Speakers of English: A Pedagogical Perspective

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the internalization of the transliterated English words in Urdu by Urdu speakers. In Urdu, words are spelt the same as they are pronounced. Consequently,everyday Urdu speakers presume the same as holding true also for English pronunciation and its orthography. Hence, the study explores the ways and processes influencing the pronunciation of certain English words by fresh undergraduate L1 and L2 Urdu speakers at university or college levels. A comprehensive list of 197 English words has been listed, along with the transcription of deviant as well as Standard British English. It can evidently be observed that educated L1 and L2 Urdu speakers articulate the words in a different or, in some cases,incorrect way. No doubt, they may be influenced by the negative transfer of features from L1. However, a considerable negative role is also found due to the transliteration of English words into Urdu.